Nautilus Belle Amie

The 135 ft (41m) long, steel-hulled Nautilus Belle Amie has a wide beam, a deep draft and a bulbous bow and is heavily sound-proofed. This results in a stable, comfortable Mexico liveaboard experience for the maximum 32 guests. This motor yacht is built to meet SOLAS safety standards, is audited annually by BV Bureau Veritas, and provides free Nautilus lifeline lost diver devices. This all provides peace of mind on diving trips to the legendary Socorro Islands and the shark haven of Guadalupe Island.

You can make new friends on the sun deck while sipping drinks from the convenient bar or relax on one of the many loungers taking in views of the Pacific Ocean. The main deck features an additional bar, air-conditioned lounge and dining area, where guests are served delicious international and Mexican inspired meals. These spacious communal liveaboard areas are practical and conveniently located next to the sizeable diving deck where you'll prepare for each exciting dive.

Cabin accommodation ranges in style and price, with all cabins having ensuite bathroom facilities. All cabins, except the 3-share staterrom, have side by side hotel-style beds or full size king beds. The extra large width of the decks can really be appreciated in the spacious cabins. You can shower for hours with the unlimited water-making capacity.

Diver facilities include hot water showers on the dive deck, camera rinse tanks, nitrox and all you need for your rebreather diving. You will also receive a free CD of stills and video from your trip, so you will have a permanent reminder of your awesome Mexican liveaboard experience and your wisdom at choosing Nautilus Belle Amie.

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Notes: Mexico is a popular destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dive experience: All certified divers may dive on these cruises. However this operator recommends...
Socorro cruises - Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) and 50 logged dives.
Guadalupe cruises - Open Water certification for deep cages but no minimum dive requirements; no license required for surface cages.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, transfers (for Guadalupe trips) to the boat from the hotel, dives (as detailed in the safaris above), experienced English-speaking divemasters (1 guide for 6 scuba divers), standard tanks, weights and weight belts, CD of photos/video at the end of the tour, complimentary photography workshop, Nautilus Lifeline marine rescue GPS, Dive Alert, SMB safety sausage, torch, tank beacon, Mexican taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 215 per week), dive insurance, park fees to be paid in advance (Socorro: US$ 192 per diving day), port fee per cruise (US$ 35). Note: park fees are waived for retirees and pensioners over the age of 60 years old. A 75% discount on park fees is available for active students and teachers. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Transfers (for Socorro tours) to the boat/dive center from the airport (US$ 30), alcoholic drinks, steel and specialized tanks, nitrox fills for enriched air divers (US$ 20 per day), rebreather support (including zorb), gas mixes. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Socorro: The MV Nautilus Belle Amie liveaboard departs in the evening from Cabo San Lucas for safaris to the Socorro islands. Guests fly into Los Cabos international airport (SJD) approximately 45 minutes drive from Cabo San Lucas and board the evening before the boat departs. You must meet at the Cabo Dive Center no later than 19:00 hrs on the evening of boarding. It is located next to the Tesoro Hotel on the walkway of Cabo marina. Ideally you should drop by the dive center as soon as you get to town to make sure you are fully prepared for the trip (including a complimentary photography workshop at 1 pm). Boarding is around 20:00 hrs. You should dine in Cabo before boarding since only light snacks are served on the first evening. The boat will spend the last night of the trip in the harbor and disembark the morning of the last day.
Guadalupe: For dive charters to Guadalupe, Nautilus Belle Amie departs in the evening from Ensenada, Mexico. Most guests meet the operator in the afternoon at the Nautilus dive center in Point Loma, San Diego. You must be there before 19:00 hrs for the departure of the luxury coach at 19:30 hrs. We recommend you come to the dive center earlier in the day to arrange any rental gear and ensure you are prepared for the cruise. You should dine in San Diego before boarding the coach since only light snacks are served on the first evening. The coach arrives in Ensenada around 21:30 hrs for departure that night. The boat returns to port at around 15:00 and the coach will arrive in San Diego around 19:00 hrs. Your return flight should not be scheduled earlier than 21:00 hrs.
For more details, including airlines, see our Mexico tourist information section. The last dive of the trip will be at around 17:00 on the second last day of the tour. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 25% of the Double stateroom published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 11 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise in a 3-share stateroom free of charge (total 12 guests). One of the lower deck staterooms can be used as a triple-share cabin - please request price details.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): No rates are published. Please contact us if you wish to charter Nautilus Belle Amie. The Nautilus Belle Amie takes 28 guests for Guadalupe and 32 guests for Socorro Island.

Socorro Islands (11 Days / 10 Nights - 27 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: San Benedicto, Roca Partida, Socorro Island

Day 1-2
Nautilus Belle Amie departs at 20:00 hrs. You are advised to arrive early and drop into the Cabo Dive Center in Cabo San Lucas to make sure you have everything in order for the cruise. You can leave your bags in our recommended hotel and get to know the town. You should also have dinner in town because only snacks are served on board on the first evening. After boarding the crew will brief you on the boat and diving procedures. The boat will set off towards San Benedicto arriving on the evening of day 2. During the steam you will enjoy a hot cooked breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

Days 3-10
This cruise consists of 4 dives on most full dive days. Roca Partida is an underwater volcano that barely breaks the surface. It promises Galapagos sharks, silvertips, silky sharks, white tips, hammerheads, and lots of mantas. Humpback whales can be sighted near Socorro particularly from January to April. There is a hammerhead cleaning station at San Benedicto.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.
On the cruise’s penultimate day, the liveaboard will begin the cruise back to Cabo San Lucas so, like the crossing on Day 2, there is no diving on this day.

Day 11
You can plan to be arriving back in Cabo during the morning. After a farewell breakfast, the operator can assist you to arrange onward transport to your hotel or the airport.

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Socorro Islands (9 Days / 8 Nights - 19 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: San Benedicto, Roca Partida, Socorro Island

Day 1-2
Nautilus Belle Amie departs at 20:00 hrs. You are advised to arrive early and drop into the Cabo Dive Center in Cabo San Lucas to make sure you have everything in order for the cruise. You can leave your bags in our recommended hotel and get to know the town. You should also have dinner in town because only snacks are served on board on the first evening. After boarding the crew will brief you on the boat and diving procedures. The boat will set off towards San Benedicto arriving on the evening of day 2. During the steam you will enjoy a hot cooked breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

Days 3-8
This cruise consists of 4 dives on most full dive days. Roca Partida is an underwater volcano that barely breaks the surface. It promises Galapagos sharks, silvertips, silky sharks, white tips, hammerheads, and lots of mantas. Humpback whales can be sighted near Socorro particularly from January to April. There is a hammerhead cleaning station at San Benedicto.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.
On the cruise’s penultimate day, the liveaboard will begin the cruise back to Cabo San Lucas so, like the crossing on Day 2, there is no diving on this day.

Day 9
You can plan to be arriving back in Cabo during the morning. After a farewell breakfast, the operator can assist you to arrange onward transport to your hotel or the airport.

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Sea of Cortez South (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: La Paz, Las Animas, La Reina, El Bajo, Espiritu Santo, San Franciscito, Loreto. Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hike into the hills, whatever you want.

Day 1
You should drop into the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas when you arrive in town to make sure you are all set for the cruise. There is a coach journey provided to La Paz, then board the Nautilus Belle Amie and get ready for diving the next day.

Days 2-7
The safari will include 4 dives per day, combining the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez. The sea is a diver’s paradise, and with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Mid-May to July is a very special time with large aggregations of mobula rays. And when there are lots of mobulas, there are orcas!! There is a good probability that guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with an orca. Mid-May and June is also peak season for the really big female whale sharks. You will also see large pods of dolphins, turtles, different shark and whale species, hammerhead sharks around El Bajo and Los Animas, giant mantas at La Reina, night dives, huge schools of fish and vibrant marine life. Spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.

Day 8
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before disembarking in La Paz and being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.

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Sea of Cortez South (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: La Paz, Bahia de Los Angeles, Las Animas, San Pedro Martir, La Reina, Espiritu Santo, San Franciscito, Loreto. Spotter planes, snorkel with whale sharks, beachcombing.

Day 1
You should drop into the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas when you arrive in town to make sure you are all set for the cruise. There is a coach journey provided to La Paz, then board the Nautilus Belle Amie and get ready for diving the next day.

Days 2-7
The safari will include 6 dives per day, combining the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez, and spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure. The sea is a diver’s paradise, and with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Snorkel and swim with scores of whale sharks that aggregate in a quiet bay deep in the Sea of Cortez, located at the edge of massive upwellings of nutrient rich oceanic water - it’s crazy!! Giant finback whales and sperm whales can also be spotted.
Loreto is another gem that is seldom visited. The diving is great, the scenery is fantastic. Going ashore on the deserted white sand beaches is unforgettable. We will be sure to visit all our old favorites including Las Animas, the pinnacle of San Franciscito, Espiritu Santo and La Reyna. You will also see large pods of dolphins, turtles, and fingers crossed for hammerhead sharks!! Shoreside is really cool as well with the largest breeding population of blue footed boobies in the world, as well as the large populations of brown boobies and brown pelicans.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.

Day 8
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before disembarking in La Paz and being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.

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Sea of Cortez South (6 Days / 5 Nights - 16 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Cerralvo Island, Las Animas, La Reina, El Bajo, Espiritu Santo, Los Islotes, Salvatierra wreck, Fang Ming, San Jose. Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hike into the hills, whatever you want. Backscatter Imaging workshop at SeeCreatures.

Day 1
You should drop into the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas when you arrive in town to make sure you are all set for the cruise. We encourage you to take advantage of our complimentary Backscatter Imaging workshop when you check in. Cocktail hour starts as soon as you board the Nautilus Belle Amie early evening. And as soon as we have completed provisioning, cleaning and any last minute engineering, we will soon be underway for a lovely dinner on our way to the Sea of Cortez.

Days 2-5
The safari will include 4 dives per day, combining the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez. The sea is a diver’s paradise, and with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Mid-May to July is a very special time with large aggregations of mobula rays. And when there are lots of mobulas, there are orcas!! There is a good probability that guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with an orca. Mid-May and June is also peak season for the really big female whale sharks. You will also see large pods of dolphins, turtles, different shark and whale species, hammerhead sharks around El Bajo and Los Animas, sea lions at Los Islotes, giant mantas at La Reina, shipwrecks and night dives, huge schools of fish and vibrant marine life. Spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.
On the penultimate day of the tour the boat will start its way back to the mainland.

Day 6
Arrive back in Cabo San Lucas in time to enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.

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Sea of Cortez South (Adventure) (11 Days / 10 Nights - 15 Dives)

Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities, onboard experts on photography, onboard experts on wildlife and natural history

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: La Paz, Las Animas, La Reina, El Bajo, Espiritu Santo, San Franciscito, Loreto, San Pedro Martir, Bahia de Los Angeles. Kayaking, going ashore, hiking in the desert, snorkelling, paddleboarding, whatever you want.

Day 1
These cruises usually depart from La Paz, although there are occasional exceptions. You have the option to fly directly into La Paz, or into San Jose de Los Cabos with a coach journey provided to La Paz late afternoon. Cocktail hour starts as soon as you board the Nautilus Belle Amie! And as soon as we have completed provisioning, cleaning and any last minute engineering, we will be underway for a lovely dinner and safety briefing on our way to the Sea of Cortez.

Days 2-10
This diving safari combines the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez. The sea is a diver’s paradise and, with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. July and August provide a unique opportunity to overlap the seasons when we traditionally encounter the most orcas of the year in the southern Sea of Cortez, with large numbers of whale sharks gathering up north in Bahia de Los Angeles. You will also see large pods of dolphins, California sea lions, turtles, different shark and whale species, hammerhead sharks around El Bajo and Los Animas, giant mantas at La Reina, night dives, huge schools of fish and vibrant marine life. Spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure.
Before your first dive of the day you can have a light continental breakfast consisting of cereal, yoghurt, fresh baked goods and toast. Dive 1 is followed by a full cooked breakfast of eggs to order, hash browns, sausages and various breads. In general, the cuisine can be described as Mexican and International cuisine. Samples from the menu include quesadillas, fish burgers and tacos and Italian pizzas.

Day 11
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before disembarking in La Paz and being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.
Some trips use the port of Cabo San Lucas so check exact port details above.

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[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

17 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins offer a variety of accommodation with prices to match. Choose from the 2 Premium suites on the main deck, 6 Superior suites on the upper deck or 9 Standard staterooms on the lower deck, one of which can be used as a 3-share stateroom. The Premium suites can be combined into one palatial Platinum suite.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 23 / 21 - hot water

The liveaboard crew of 12 comprise: Nitrox - 2 or 3 Motorized dive skiffs - 1615ft² (150m²) Diving deck & platform with ladder, hot water showers and toilet - Separate camera rinse tank - Main deck air-conditioned saloon with TV, DVD, music system, computer, diving movies, and fish ID books - WiFi internet - Restaurant with bar and water dispenser - Satellite telephone - Sundeck with sun beds and bean bags - Shaded open-air area

Nautilus Belle Amie aims to be a good friend to your taste buds by providing an array of international and Mexican cuisine on its liveaboard trips. Every full day's dining includes pre-breakfast, a hot cooked breakfast, a lunch in the deli-style, and a plated dinner. There is even a Mexican taco night fiesta! It is all laid on by the resident chef who takes great pride in his creations!

• Mexican and international meals - 6 different dishes per sitting.
• Air-conditioned dining area with buffet meals and waitress service.
• Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are provided.
• Snacks include ice cream, cookies, fruit, freshly-baked bread and buns.
• Coffee, tea, drinking water and soft drinks are all provided free of charge.
• Beer, wine and liquors are available for purchase on board.
• All dietary requirements can be catered for - please send advanced notice.
• Cruise dining service begins at guest check-in.

Sample meals: Barbecued salmon with local vegetables ...

Customer reviews:

"The boat was 10/10. However, the trip: too many miles (=> 36 hours without dives when we came back to port). Also the organization: first information was to embark in Cabo and disembark in La Paz, but finally it started in La Paz and ended in Cabo (after we had bought the flights). Also less dives than advertised (only 14 dives). And it was not really "Ultimate Whale Sharks" => 6 hours trying to find a whale shark then snorkelling with it for 10 minutes - really disappointed. No mobulas, no orcas." - Gerard, France, 14 October 2024 ...

"The boat was spacious, clean and comfortable. Outstanding crew and everyone got along great with each other and seemed to enjoy working together. And the chef and Stewards went beyond the call of duty to make sure all the guests were comfortable and well taken care of. Above all, the diving was excellent with close encounters with the oceanic mantas and dolphins.
Easy to communicate with the Dive The World representatives. Easy payment options." - Timothy Lee Chae, United States, 21 March 2024 ...

"Excellent crew, dive masters were so helpful and knowledgable. Good food. Great boat. Amazing diving." - Jill Nash, South Africa, 18 May 2017 ...