Mexico Liveaboards

Rocio del Mar

After three years of meticulous planning and construction, the 110-foot Rocio del Mar had its maiden voyage in May 2010 in the gorgeous waters of the Sea of Cortez. It was built by divers for divers, and the fact is evident when onboard. There are ten double staterooms, all with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and picture windows. The maximum number of divers onboard is 22. Eight of the cabins are located on the main deck and feature side-by-side single beds, and two cabins on the second deck have a full lower bed and an upper bunk. A spacious dining room serves tasty meals that focus on local fresh ingredients, and an entertainment area has a flat-screen television, DVD player and CD player. The top deck has plenty of room to spread out and watch the whales and dolphins, and enjoy a barbecue.

From May to November, Rocio del Mar dives the Sea of Cortez. Whales, whale sharks, mantas, mobula rays, and sea lion colonies inhabit these waters with colorful corals and numerous reef fish, nudibranchs and schools of pelagics. From January to April to boat moves to Socorro Islands to dive with the sharks. You can do up to four dives per day, and there are three zodiacs onboard to serve three different dive sites at the same time. Rocio del Mar departs from Puerto Peñasco, about four-hour van drive from Phoenix for its Sea of Cortez itineraries. The city is getting its airport late 2010 making getting there a breeze. For Socorro Islands, the departure port is Cabo San Lucas. The boat offers Nitrox.

Nautilus Explorer

The 116-foot Nautilus Explorer was custom-designed for divers and offers high level of comfort and safety. Extensive soundproofing and an impressive stability system make cruising smooth and quiet. Taking in diverse destinations from Alaska to British Columbia to Sea of Cortez, the ship is fitted throughout with both heating and air-conditioning systems. Newly renovated cabins feature a large suite with a separate lounge area, two double suites and a single cabin on the upper deck and nine cabins on the lower deck, each with side by side beds - one of these cabins has an additional upper making it a triple. The suites feature large picture windows, private outside entrances, closets and private bathrooms. The staterooms all have private bathrooms and plenty of space. The suites feature large picture windows, private outside entrances, closets and private bathrooms. The staterooms all have private bathrooms and plenty of space. Nautilus Explorer’s common areas are roomy and comfortable.

The main salon has a well-stocked bar, large picture windows, and a library and entertainment center. The separate dining room serves four delicious meals per day and snacks in between. Fruit, cookies and drinks are available all times. The sundeck has a hot tub and plenty of lounge space. The water level platform makes it easy to board the dive skiffs, inflatables, kayaks and Laser sailboat. Itineraries take in British Columbia in May and June and then move to Alaska for the summer months. Five to ten night trips to Socorro and Guadalupe shark diving are available from August to May. Nautilus Explorer offers Nitrox.

Baja Aggressor

Aggressor’s newest boat, the 130-foot Baja Aggressor, will start regular cruises in Mexico’s Pacific waters in July 2010. Onboard you will find all the Aggressor comforts including spacious outdoor and indoor common areas, a large dive deck and the latest equipment. There are ten cabins for a maximum of twenty divers, five with a lower double bed and five with upper and lower twin bunks.

From January to June, the Baja Aggressor dives around Socorro Island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago. This is a big animal destination with giant manta rays, schooling hammerheads, reef sharks, dolphins and tuna. From November to December, it’s gray whale excursions in Magdalena Bay where all the observing is done from the boat’s two 26-foot skiffs. July to October, the boat departs from Ensenada and heads for Guadalupe Island for great white shark cage diving. There are three cages onboard, each accommodation three to four divers at a maximum depth of twenty feet. Baja Aggressor offers Nitrox.

Solmar V

Solmar V is a 112-foot deluxe liveaboard cruising Mexican Pacific waters with seasonally different destinations. Onboard you will find twelve cabins, all with private bathrooms, individually controlled air-conditioning, televisions with DVD players and all new soft furnishings including pillow-top mattresses and down pillows. The superior cabins feature a double lower and single upper berth, the standard cabins upper and lower singles. The common areas are beautifully outfitted with rich mahogany, brass accents and granite tabletops. The spacious salon has a large-screen television and stereo system, and you can easily check your email with the boat’s new satellite system – computers are available for guest use.

The large dive deck has individual storage stations, a huge camera table and charging station, four rinse bins, and two fresh-water showers with fresh towels provided. Diving is done either directly from the dive deck or from two pangas with sturdy side ladders. From November to May, Solmar V heads from Los Cabos for the Socorro Island for manta rays, sharks, dolphins and the occasional migrating humpback whale. From August to September, it’s time for great white sharks at Guadalupe Island – you don’t need to be a certified diver for these trips, air is provided with hookah system to the cage. These trips depart from Ensenada. In October, you can catch a scheduled departure to Sea of Cortez, and in June, a Baja Nature Cruise with diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, swimming and more – a great trip for divers and non-divers alike. Solmar V offers Nitrox.