Immerse Yourself in the Sea of Cortez
Immerse Yourself in the Sea of Cortez
Liveaboard Diving In the Sea of Cortez: The World's Aquarium
The Sea of Cortez is a diver’s paradise — with its incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems. After almost five decades of liveaboard diving here, we’re still obsessed with it. Come and see for yourself why Jacques Cousteau named it the “aquarium of the world”.
Meet playful sea lions and surround yourself in a tornado of big-eye jacks. Dive with hammerhead sharks, explore shipwrecks, and don’t miss the night dives — there’s always something going on down there. If you’re lucky, giant mantas from July through August, and orcas moving through the Cerralvo Channel. The Sea of Cortez occasionally gifts us with surface sightings of finback whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, and more.
We have been running expeditions in these waters since 1978, building an intimate knowledge of this sea — where hammerheads tend to gather, when mantas typically arrive, and where to be if orcas move through. That knowledge is built into every one of our four Sea of Cortez itineraries, designed around different routes, each with an extraordinary cast of marine life.
The diving spans some spectacular locations. From Las Ánimas for the best hammerhead encounters in the Sea of Cortez to La Reina with its epic baitballs. Then there’s Loreto National Park up north with remote islands, white sand beaches, and aqua-blue water. The sunrises and sunsets have to be seen to be believed. And the diving is pretty darn good too.
Wildlife & Dive Sites of the Sea of Cortez
Each expedition visits a selection of the following areas — see the itinerary section to find the route that best matches your interests.
La Reina
A small islet just north of Cerralvo Island where epic baitballs form over summer as huge schools of fish create mesmerizing displays. Sea lions, turtles, moray eels weaving through volcanic crevices, vibrant coral, and exceptional macro subjects including endemic signal blennies make every dive worthwhile. If you're lucky, you might encounter giant mantas from July to August.
Isla Espíritu Santo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Los Islotes is world-famous for its sea lion colony, they're curious, acrobatic, and utterly unbothered by divers. The site reopens September 1 after the breeding closure, when the pups are still tiny, ridiculously cute, and the diving is at its most charming. Rich macro life, glittering baitballs of sardines, vibrant reef fish, and recent hammerhead sightings at the deep west section round it out.
Note: During July and August when Los Islotes is closed for breeding season, we visit San Francisquito for excellent sea lion diving.
Swanee Reef, south of Espíritu Santo, brings sea lions, large schools of fish, and the spectacle of cormorants hunting underwater.
Shipwrecks — the Fang Ming is one of our favourites, colonised by turtles, groupers, baitfish, and snappers. The C-59, La Salvatierra, and Lapas 03 wrecks are also well worth exploring.
El Bajo
A series of three seamounts famous for pelagic shark sightings, including hammerheads and silky sharks. The site is home to vibrant schools of rainbow wrasse, jacks, and impressive colonies of green Panamic moray eels, alongside tuna, marlin, and octopus.
Isla Las Ánimas
Dramatic volcanic topography drops straight into the blue — deep pinnacles where, with luck, schooling hammerheads pass through from June to November. The walls and reefs are home to schools of jacks, moray eels, rays, turtles, and tuna. In the shallows, playful California sea lions and the rarer Guadalupe fur seal share the boulder gardens.
Bahía de Loreto National Park
Protected by CONANP and UNESCO-listed, and for good reason. Over 800 fish species patrol its reefs alongside sea turtles, dolphins, and passing whales. It's also a spot for macro lover's with dozens of nudibranch species, blennies, octopus, and crabs tucked into crevices. The park's remote islands — Coronado, Danzante, and Carmen — offer pristine diving far from crowds.
Cabo Pulmo National Park
One of the oldest and healthiest coral reefs in North America. Schools of jacks so dense they block out the sun — and here, you can get right inside it. Sea turtles, groupers, and rays are present year-round, with occasional bull shark sightings (more regular in the colder months). A site that consistently surprises even experienced divers.
Can we guarantee sightings?
Honestly? No — and with decades of experience in these waters, we'd never pretend otherwise. What we can do is put you in the right place at the right time, with guides and captains who know these waters inside out. We note animal movements, follow the conditions, and make smart calls in real time. The rest is up to nature. No feeding schedules, no glass panels, no guarantees. These are wild animals in a wild ocean.
Respectful marine life encounters
Expert naturalist guides lead all wildlife experiences and operate in full compliance with Mexican marine wildlife regulations — ensuring every encounter is safe, respectful, and deeply memorable.
Science and conservation airplane
From January to November, our marine biologists conduct observation flights over the Sea of Cortez and Magdalena Bay to support science and conservation efforts, and to better understand and appreciate this remarkable region we work in. We operate multiple flights every week, each including several low passes over all of our boats and camps in the area.
Possible marine life sightings:
- Hammerhead sharks (June–Nov)
- Giant manta rays (July–Aug, La Reina)
- Whale sharks (seasonal)
- Mega-pods of dolphins
- California sea lions
- Orcas, pilot, fin & sperm whales (occasional)
- Sea turtles, moray eels & octopus
- Mobula, eagle, & stingrays
- Nudibranchs, seahorses & blennies
- Tuna, schooling jacks, & more!
Sea of Cortez Liveaboard Diving: Up to 4 Dives Daily
July to November delivers peak diving conditions in the Sea of Cortez: warm, clear water, with visibility regularly reaching 65–100 ft (20–30 metres), and generally calm seas.
This is the perfect vacation where you can do as much or as little as you like. Dive up to four times a day, including night dives, or sit one out to relax in the hot tub, explore remote bays by kayak or join nature walks. Shore landings bring you to some of Baja California's most beautiful beaches and dramatic island coastlines — while marine life presentations give the day's encounters a little more depth.
Our experienced crew takes care of everything else. Their warm hospitality, knowledge, and genuine love of these waters is something guests come back for as much as the diving itself.
Highlights include:
- Scuba diving
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Paddleboarding
- Marine life presentations
- Shore expeditions & nature walks
Your home at sea




Life on board
These expeditions are based on large ocean-going liveaboard vessels. The daily action happens from smaller, fast support boats designed to get you nice and close to the dive sites, while the mothership handles everything else: comfort, food, and a good night's rest.
Nautilus Adventures is the only liveaboard operator in the world with a certified ISM safety management system — audited annually to the same standards as the world's largest cruise ships. In short, safety is taken seriously. A full briefing and practice drill means you'll always know exactly what to do — and can spend the rest of the trip focused on the water.
The Nautilus Belle Amie is a modern and super spacious custom-built 147-foot vessel. She accommodates up to 32 guests across 17 en-suite staterooms and suites, ranging from standard twin cabins to spacious premium suites with ocean-facing windows, sitting areas, and flat-screen TVs. All cabins are air-conditioned, and the heavy steel construction with built-in stabilization makes for a comfortable ride even in open ocean conditions — it genuinely feels like staying in a hotel at sea.
The main deck hosts a generous air-conditioned lounge, bar, and dining area — the natural gathering place at the end of a long day on the water. Up on the expansive sun deck, there's room for everyone to stretch out, soak up the sun, or ease into the freshwater hot tub with a drink in hand.
Explore the Nautilus Belle Amie- 6 Days / 5 Nights trip: 5 nights' accommodation on a liveaboard and up to 16 dives (weather dependent)
- 8 Days / 7 Nights trip: 7 nights' accommodation on a liveaboard and up to 24 dives (weather dependent)
- Scheduled group transfers
- Tanks, weights, safety gear (Nautilus LifeLine, DiveAlert, SMB)
- All meals and snacks
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Dive guides and expert crew
- Scuba gear rental
- Nitrox
- Alcoholic beverages and bar
- Gift shop purchases
- Internet access
- Crew gratuities
- Port fee (US$ 35 pp payable in cash onboard)
Choose Your Sea of Cortez Liveaboard Adventure
We offer different options to suit your schedule and diving goals.
Sea of Cortez 6-Day 5 nt Getaway is a quick escape to the Southern Sea of Cortez. Perfect for those who want to combine their week in Baja with a bit of shore time.
Sea of Cortez 8-Day 7 nt Favourites dives deeper into the southern sites.
La Paz north to Loreto (8 days) combines the famous La Paz dive sites with Loreto National Park's remote islands.
La Paz south to Cabo Pulmo (8 days) combines our favourite southern sites and visit to Cabo Pulmo National Park.
Sea of Cortez 6-Day Getaway
Areas we might visit: La Reina, Isla Espíritu Santo, El Bajo, Isla Las Ánimas, Isla San Francisco.
Check in at SeeCreatures Cabo. Drop your bags anytime, but please check in by 4:30pm for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz to your ship, where our hosties will be waiting for you on the back deck with trays of margaritas and champagne, followed by dinner and departure for the Sea of Cortez.
Every day is different, and every trip is different. Mother Ocean is always full of surprises, and your captain and crew draw on five decades of experience in the Sea of Cortez to maximize your time on board — balancing recent animal sightings, weather, and conditions to shape each day. For this reason, your actual daily itinerary may vary from what's published.
Your first day typically starts anchored off a quiet beach at Cerralvo Island for a warm-up dive, then on to the incredible tornadoes of fish at La Reina. Where we go next depends on what's happening out there — if reports come in of a huge pod of dolphins or even orcas, we'll make full steam ahead to get you close, and in the water if conditions allow. All interactions are on the animals' terms.
Across these days you can expect up to four dives daily, including night dives, with almost certain visits to dive sites around La Reina, El Bajo, Isla Las Ánimas, Isla San Francisco, and Isla Espíritu Santo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of our company founders was instrumental in saving this island from commercial development as a casino, helping facilitate its donation to the people of Mexico as a national park.
Between dives, the day is yours: grab a kayak or paddleboard, swim, or just relax on deck. The itinerary also includes time ashore — beach stops or guided nature walks into the hills with our naturalist.
And keep your eyes on the horizon throughout — big marine mammals often pass through these waters, and a chance encounter is part of the adventure.
Breakfast on board, then disembark in La Paz at 8 am. Complimentary transfer to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo Airport (SJD) — approximately 3 hours depending on traffic. We recommend booking flights for 1:00 pm or later.
Add a Cabo Pulmo adventure to your boarding day — morning pick-up at your hotel, a two-tank dive day in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, and onward transfer to your boat in La Paz.
On either side of the liveaboard, you can also add day trips or scuba courses with SeeCreatures Cabo: local two-tank dives in Cabo San Lucas, more diving at Cabo Pulmo or Gordo Banks, plus Advanced Open Water and Enriched Air Nitrox courses, and beyond.
Departure dates
Immerse Yourself in the Sea of Cortez
All prices are in US dollars
Trip Basics
What is the minimum age for this trip?
12 years old. That said, the liveaboard environment suits some kids and teens better than others, and you know your family best. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out — we'd love to chat and help you decide if it's the right fit. Please note that all kids and teens under 18 need a parent or guardian aboard.
Is this a scuba trip or snorkeling?
This is a multi-activity trip centered on scuba diving, with snorkeling, night diving, and shore excursions also available.
How much diving experience do I need?
All experience levels are welcome. You must be a certified diver (Open Water Diver certification) with good buoyancy control. Dive guides are in the water on all dives. National park dives must be done with a guide.
Will I need to show my dive certification card before boarding?
Yes — you'll need to show proof of certification, either a physical card or a digital one.
Can I get certified or take a course before the trip?
Yes — SeeCreatures in Cabo San Lucas offers a full range of dive courses, including Nitrox certification.
Getting Here
What airport do I fly into?
Most guests fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), also known as San José del Cabo Airport — just a 45-minute drive from SeeCreatures Cabo, our Nautilus-owned dive center in downtown Cabo San Lucas. SJD is well connected, with flights from 15 US cities, most of Mexico, and some direct overseas routes.
For most departures, you'll check in at SeeCreatures Cabo, and we'll transfer you to La Paz to meet the ship. If you'd prefer to meet the ship in La Paz, you can also fly into La Paz Airport (LAP), about 30 minutes from town. Please confirm with our concierge team first, as a few departures board directly in Cabo.
How do I get from the airport to town?
Our concierge team can help arrange transfers or recommend reliable local companies. We can often coordinate pickups from La Paz (LAP), but we're not currently allowed to pick up at San José del Cabo (SJD). Note that Uber is not permitted to pick up at SJD either.
When should I fly in?
At least one day early, as a buffer against flight delays or lost luggage — plus it leaves time for a pre-trip dive at Cabo Pulmo or Gordo Banks. Same-day arrival is feasible if you prefer.
Diving Logistics
How many dives will I do?
We aim for up to four dives a day, including night dives, with no diving on boarding or disembarkation days. Dive numbers can be affected by weather, conditions, and mother ocean.
Is diving from the big boat or from skiffs?
Usually from skiffs. Multiple skiffs run like taxis, picking divers up as they surface and shuttling them back to the ship rather than leaving anyone waiting in the sun.
Is Nitrox available?
Yes, Nitrox is available (additional cost).
Are the boats camera-friendly?
Yes, very — the boats are well set up for photography. Ask about rental cameras and professional photo services.
Onboard Life
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, with advance notice — vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, low-sugar, and quasi-kosher/quasi-halal can be accommodated. More unusual requests may not be possible.
Can I charge my phone, laptop, and other devices?
Yes — there's 24-hour power onboard, so feel free to bring your phone, laptop, e-reader, camera, and CPAP machine. Our vessels use standard North American outlets (110V AC), so if you're coming from outside the US, bring a travel adapter. For everyone's safety, unattended charging of lithium-ion batteries is only allowed in designated areas onboard.
Is there internet onboard?
Wi-Fi is available for an additional fee for the whole trip. It runs on a satellite connection, so it's great for staying in touch — emails and apps like WhatsApp work well — but not for streaming sites like Netflix or YouTube. Best to pre-download any movies or shows before you travel.
Are the boats camera-friendly?
Yes, very — all our boats have dedicated camera areas and charging stations.
What to Bring
What should I pack?
Sunglasses, a hat, and summer wear well suited for a relaxing time at sea and on the beach — plus a sweater or fleece for the evenings. Reef-safe sunscreen, linen, towels, soap, and shampoo are all included with your trip.
What wetsuit do I need?
It depends on the season. Water temps run in the mid-80s°F with 100+ ft visibility; temperatures start cooling and visibility drops at the end of November. We recommend a 5 mm wetsuit, and a hooded vest is always a smart addition.
What dive equipment do I need?
The usual full scuba gear — regulator, BCD, dive computer, mask, wetsuit, booties, and fins — which you can bring yourself or rent from SeeCreatures.
What safety gear is provided?
Nautilus LifeLines, DiveAlerts, and SMB safety sausages are loaned free to all guests.
Insurance & Documents
Do I need a passport or visa?
All guests must have a passport valid six months from entry. Visas are required from certain countries, please check your specific requirements online. All non-Mexican guests will require an FMM tourist visa.
Is insurance required?
Yes. We require all guests to have medical and evacuation insurance. Divers are required to have divers' insurance. We highly recommend DiveAssure for all your needs, diving or nondiving.
In addition, we highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance interruption insurance from DiveAssure (some other providers have provided insufficient coverage to previous clients). This gives you peace of mind and financial security in case of named weather events, cancelled flights, medical issues whether your own or other guests, lost bags and much more. If you decline coverage, please note that we do not issue credits or refunds for anything that is beyond our immediate control.
Health & Safety
Will I get seasick?
The Sea of Cortez is generally very calm. A scopolamine patch is recommended for anyone prone to seasickness.
Where's the nearest decompression chamber?
La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
What if there's an emergency?
All crew are first-aid trained, several are first responders, and there's an AED and medical kit aboard. A contract medical officer is reachable through our satellite communication system. If evacuation is needed, it's arranged by boat transfer to shore or, where available, aerial medevac.
Our pre trip information package covers everything from boarding instructions to what to pack and general trip details. Please review it carefully for the most up to date information about your upcoming adventure.
