Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard
I have taken two trips with the Nautilus Explorer and both were incredible. The first was to Guadalupe for the Great White Shark cage dive and the second to Socorro Island. While very different dive trips the service and food was equally amazing. The staff on the boat assists with everything you need. Preparation and break down of gear between dives, coffee, tea or hot chocolate as you exit the water and very good food during and between meals. The team of people working are incredible friendly and customer service oriented which makes for a great time while at sea.
The shark dive was all that you hope it will be. I went in August of 2011 and was amazed at the size, grace and curiosity of the animals. The visibility was in excess of 100 feet making for excellent photographic opportunities. We saw sharks on every dive and could not stay out of the water.
The Socorro trip is the best dive vacation I have taken to date and I went on the January 2013 excursion. The diversity of sea life and close interaction cannot be described. Giant Mantas, Hammerhead sharks, Dolphins became "common" and regular sitings of whales and their calfs were "commonplace". Coupling these experiences with top notch dive masters made the trip phenomenal.
They offer trips to other locations and I can't wait to work them into my schedule.
