About the Nautilus Explorer

There are hundreds of vessels in the worldwide fleet of large, liveaboard dive boats. We pride ourselves and differentiate the Nautilus by offering a Canadian built ship that was custom designed for divers to the highest possible level of comfort and safety with a layout that utilizes every square foot of available space. Our crew takes exceptional pride in the condition of the ship.   The Nautilus Explorer is unique in the worldwide fleet in that it was certified by Transport Canada as the first and only  SOLAS ISM passenger ship – the same safety certificats the largest cruise ships in the world.   

Nautilus Explorer is built strong

Heavy steel construction with stabilization designed for ocean crossings

Million dollar views

Beautiful large windows, with million-dollar views in the dining room and lounge.

Nautilus Explorer rooms

Bathrooms with showers in all suites and staterooms.

Nautilus Explorer, Luxe on water

Hot tub to warm up between or after dives, with drink and snack service.

On board WIFI

Internet via Wi-Fi

ISM Safety

ISM safety certified and the world’s first fully SOLAS certified dive ship.

Nautilus Explorer room

A Safe, Comfortable, Well-run Ship

Your comfort is our priority everywhere onboard. The Nautilus Explorer was carefully designed to be very safe with heavy, strong steel construction and extensive soundproofing. The vessel’s hullform, passive stability system and bulbous bow provides for a remarkably easy ride while heavy-duty commercial grade systems ensure that you have a smooth-running voyage.

Imaginative and fresh cuisine is one of the cornerstones of our business. Soups are homemade; Bread, pastries and deserts are baked onboard and there is always lots to eat with up to 4 meals a day and plenty of snacks. We offer a mix of both buffet and table service with a menu that combines North American and European tastes and also a touch of Mexico. Our chef and 2 hostesses take excellent care of our guests. Most special dietary requests can be cheerfully accommodated with advance notice.

Nautilus Explorer lounge

Life on board

For a small ship, the 132 foot Nautilus feels “plenty big” (or so our guests tell us). There is ample room to find a quiet place to read, chat, fill out your divelog or journal or work on editing the images you shot that day – whether in the separate dining room, main salon or one of the upper sundecks. And there is nothing like a soak under the stars in the sparkling clear fresh water of our hot tub after a day of diving or exploration. The main salon also serves as the ship’s entertainment centre with very “comfy” couches, a great library, a well stocked bar and select evening video showings, presentations and slide shows.

We offer accommodation on the Nautilus Explorer to suit all preferences ranging from a luxurious premium suite on the hot-deck to a cost effective, mixed-gender triple occupancy stateroom on the lower deck.

Nautilus Explorer suite

Ship Accommodations

All nine lower deck staterooms have private heads with separate shower stalls, central air conditioning and measure 90 square feet. Six of the staterooms have side by side beds. Two of the staterooms have large double beds and additional storage area. There is also one co-ed triple occupancy stateroom.

Three superior suites on the hot-tub deck measure 145 sq. ft and have large exterior windows. They each have private facilities, a desk and either bureau or wardrobe. Two of these suites have doors that open directly outside. The third suite boasts a large flat screen TV and DVD player.

Our premium suite is also located on the hot-tub deck and is twice the size of the other suites.  It’s larger than many hotel suites!   It has a bedroom and a separate lounge featuring a floor to ceiling picture window with an incredible view out onto the oceans cape.    The bathroom even features a full-size  bath-tub.

Nautilus Explorer destinations

Guadalupe Great White Sharks
Guadalupe Great White Sharks

This small volcanic island located in the Pacific 240 kilometers (150 miles) off the west coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula outperforms both South Africa and Australia with shark-seeing consistency and watching conditions.

Socorro Giant Mantas
Socorro Giant Mantas

The Nautilus Explorer voyages out to Socorro Island to dive and interact with the friendliest giant mantas in the world. This is by no means a trivial goal. Our highly experienced crew have spent many years diving these waters which gives you a truly spectacular experience.

“I have been on 5 liveaboards before, including Agressor, Spirit of Freedom, and Caribbean Explorer.

The Nautilus Explorer is the best so far. “

– Cristopher, June 2019

Featured trips aboard the Nautilus Explorer



Nautilus explorer at Guadalupe

Specifications

  • Lengthened to 132 feet in 2018, 27 ft beam
  • Built in Canada and launched in 2000
  • The world’s first fully SOLAS certified dive ship.
  • Stabilized
  • ISM safety certified
  • 13 ensuite staterooms and suites
  • Internet access and satellite phone
  • Cummins engine power
  • Air fills, nitrox, rebreather friendly