Nautilus Belle Amie

Location: Mexico

Rating: 4.8/5 (2048 reviews)

About Nautilus Belle Amie

Embark on an extraordinary dive adventure aboard the Nautilus Belle Amie, a luxurious liveaboard offering unparalleled access to Mexico's most thrilling underwater encounters. Experience world-class diving with comfort and style.

Mexico's Pacific waters, particularly the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Islands) and Guadalupe Island, are renowned for their spectacular pelagic encounters. This region is a mecca for divers seeking close-up interactions with giant manta rays, numerous shark species, and even humpback whales. The Nautilus Belle Amie is perfectly positioned to explore these vibrant ecosystems, offering a gateway to some of the planet's most awe-inspiring marine life in clear, often warm waters. Diving from the Nautilus Belle Amie is an experience crafted for convenience and excitement. With three high-speed inflatable dive skiffs, divers are swiftly transported to the heart of the action. The spacious dive deck is designed for efficiency, featuring individual gear storage, rinse hoses, and a dedicated camera station with separate rinse tanks for underwater photography enthusiasts. Nitrox is available for extended bottom times, and the vessel even supports rebreather diving, catering to a wide range of diver preferences and skill levels. Guided dives ensure guests make the most of every immersion, with knowledgeable staff pointing out hidden wonders and ensuring safety. Life aboard this custom-built liveaboard is akin to a floating boutique hotel, where comfort and luxury are paramount. Guests can retreat to one of 17 air-conditioned en-suite staterooms or suites, each designed for relaxation with individually controlled climate settings. Social spaces abound, including a large indoor salon and dining area, perfect for unwinding after a day of diving. For those seeking sun-drenched relaxation or a post-dive soak, the expansive sundeck features ample lounging areas and a rejuvenating hot tub, offering the perfect spot to share stories and enjoy the ocean breeze. Culinary delights are a highlight of any journey on the Nautilus Belle Amie. The onboard chef masterfully prepares a fusion of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine, served either buffet-style for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, or as a plated buffet/family-style dinner. Special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and quasi-kosher options, are thoughtfully accommodated with prior notice. Two well-stocked bars offer an extensive selection of beverages, from soft drinks and welcome cocktails to fine wines, microbrews, and single malts, ensuring every meal and social gathering is perfectly complemented. Built in 2005 and renovated in 2018, the Nautilus Belle Amie is a robust vessel, measuring 147 feet in length and 33 feet in beam. Her heavy steel construction and stabilization system ensure smooth ocean crossings, making the journey to remote dive sites comfortable and secure. She accommodates up to 32 guests across 17 cabins, providing a generous space-to-guest ratio. The vessel's high-capacity freshwater maker ensures an unlimited supply, enhancing guest comfort throughout the trip. The Nautilus Belle Amie primarily operates itineraries to the Socorro Islands from November to June, and to Guadalupe Island for great white shark encounters from July to November. Guests typically embark and disembark in Cabo San Lucas or La Paz, with transfers often arranged to facilitate a seamless travel experience. This liveaboard is ideal for divers passionate about large pelagic encounters, underwater photographers, and those seeking a luxurious and comfortable dive holiday with exceptional service.

Vessel Specifications

Length: 44.8m
Guest capacity: 32
Year built: 2005
Nitrox: Available
WiFi: Available

Cabins

Single Stateroom (sleeps 1) — Single — Designed for solo travelers, the Single Stateroom provides a private and comfortable space with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. It's an ideal choice for individual adventurers.
Premium Suite (sleeps 2) — Twin or Double — Found on the main deck, these premium suites offer enhanced comfort and space. Guests can choose between twin beds or a double bed, complemented by an en-suite bathroom and personal air conditioning.
Superior Suite (sleeps 2) — Twin or Double — Situated on the wheelhouse deck, these elegant suites can be configured with either twin beds or a double bed. They provide a comfortable and spacious environment with en-suite facilities and climate
Triple Stateroom (sleeps 3) — Twin — An affordable option located on the lower deck, this stateroom accommodates three guests in twin beds. It includes an en-suite bathroom and individual air conditioning, perfect for friends or small gr
Stateroom Suite (sleeps 2) — Twin — Located on the lower deck, these comfortable staterooms feature an en-suite bathroom and individually controlled air conditioning for personalized comfort. They offer a cozy retreat after a day of div

Itineraries

Socorro - Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins (Cabo San Lucas - Cabo San Lucas)

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This expedition to the Socorro archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a raw and primal diving experience. The trip is renowned for encounters with exceptionally friendly giant manta rays, playful bottlenose dolphins, and up to twelve different shark species. The spring and early summer months are particularly noted for an abundance of marine life, including bait balls, schooling sharks, and giant tuna. This remote paradise, located 235 nautical miles from Cabo, provides a truly wild P

Sea of Cortez — 5 Night Get-Away

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas

A 5-night exploration of the Sea of Cortez — the body of water Jacques Cousteau famously called "the world's aquarium". From La Paz, Nautilus Belle Amie visits the sea lion rookeries of Los Islotes, the seamounts of El Bajo (a historic hammerhead aggregation site), the islands of Espiritu Santo and Las Animas, and — September through November — the chance to snorkel with whale sharks in La Paz Bay.

Mexico Sardine Run & Magdalena Bay

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas

A specialty trip dedicated to one of the planet's greatest predator-prey spectacles. From October to December the Magdalena Bay region on the Pacific side of Baja California fills with millions of Pacific sardines pursued by striped marlin, sea lions, bryde's whales, mahi-mahi and sharks. Aboard Nautilus Belle Amie this is a snorkel / free-dive expedition (no scuba) with daily zodiac excursions into the bait-ball action.

Socorro – Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas

The Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro) is a remote group of volcanic islands 250 nautical miles south of Cabo San Lucas, often called Mexico's "little Galápagos". Aboard Nautilus Belle Amie this classic 8-day round trip from Cabo focuses on Socorro's big-animal cleaning stations: oceanic giant mantas with up to 7 m wingspans, schooling scalloped hammerheads, silky and silvertip sharks, bottlenose dolphins, tuna and — November to May — humpback whales singing during every dive.

Ocean Safari — Mobulas, Whales & Orcas

A specialty surface / snorkel safari around the southern Baja Peninsula targeting the region's big animals in their peak season: massive aggregations of Munk's mobula rays, humpback and blue whales, dolphin super-pods and transient orcas that hunt them. No scuba — daily zodiac excursions for snorkel and surface encounters.

Unique Combo — Socorro, Orcas & Giant Mobula Schools

A specialty combo that pairs the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro) with the spring mobula-ray aggregation and orca encounters off the Baja Peninsula. From late April through May, tens of thousands of Munk's mobula rays gather in the southern Sea of Cortez, often attended by orca pods hunting in coordinated groups.

SUPER COMBO — Socorro & the Mexico Sardine Run

A bucket-list combination expedition that pairs the giant mantas, sharks and dolphins of the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro) with the Magdalena Bay sardine-run bait balls in a single back-to-back itinerary. Two of Mexico's most iconic ocean experiences on one trip — scuba in Socorro, snorkel / free-dive at the bait balls.

Socorro - Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas

This expedition ventures to the remote Socorro archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its primal beauty and incredible marine megafauna. The trip is celebrated for its exceptionally friendly giant manta rays, playful dolphins, and the chance to see up to twelve different shark species. The spring and early summer months are noted as a peak time for biomass, with schooling hammerheads, bait balls, and giant tuna sightings. The journey itself is an adventure, requiring a full day's

Ultimate Combo - Mobulas, Orcas and Whale Sharks (Cabo - La Paz)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas

This expedition through the Sea of Cortez focuses on encounters with large marine animals. Starting in Cabo San Lucas and ending in La Paz, the trip is highly flexible, using a spotter plane and local contacts to find the best wildlife sightings. Guests can expect opportunities to interact with mobula rays, dolphins, whales, and sea lions. The itinerary includes both diving and snorkeling, with a special focus on finding orcas, whale sharks, and various whale species in this biodiverse region.

Ultimate Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez (Cabo San Lucas - La Paz)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This expedition offers a unique chance to interact with a massive summer gathering of whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez. The trip focuses on Bahia de Los Angeles, a remote national park bay that hosts up to 220 of these gentle giants each season. In addition to snorkeling with whale sharks, the itinerary includes approximately 15 dives at various sites, with an airplane used for spotting wildlife. Guests may also encounter orcas, pilot whales, and sperm whales during the journey.