Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard
Let me start by saying I only gave three stars for marine life because of the lack of variety, which I expected. So don't let that hold you back. My only suggestion is to chooses one of their longer excursions that hit a few other destinations if you'd like to see more than Great White Sharks and Sea Lions. I had intended to do that but the timing just didn't work out.
The crew was exceptional. Great personalities, energetic and always available to help or chat. There was the standard snacks available between dives, but an added touch was the steward greeting you as you came out of the water with drinks and snacks as well as hot towels. Nothing like being handed a hot cocoa and a cookie as you shake off the cold =)
The chef did a great job, the food was plentiful and tasty.
Now for the main attraction...the Great Whites. They were spectacular and came close enough to touch. The unique thing on this boat was that beyond the standard surface cages, they had two cages they sink down to 40' (and I believe they've added a 5th that goes to 20'). Now the first day the Captain said if conditions were good the DM would signal that we could stand ON TOP of the cage. In my head I thought, what kind of idiot would do that? On my second dive I was that idiot...this wasn't because I'm an adrenaline junky, you just realize that although they are curious about us, we aren't on the menu. What an amazing feeling to have an 18' beautiful female (Kimel) swim within a foot of you with nothing but a bar that comes up to your thigh between you and her. We saw over 15 different sharks and two people were able to name new ones. If you are the first to get good profile shots of a shark that is not in their ID book, you get to name it. Wear a little more thermal protection than normal for this since while you are in the cage you aren't moving like you would on a normal dive.
The ride out and back were rough to put it mildly...nearly everyone got sick on the way out. Those of us that didn't, got sunburned on the top deck trying to stay out of the cabins. Despite the rough crossing, pay attention...we saw large whales tail lobbing, flying fish and on the way back we were surrounded by a pod of over 1,000 dolphins. It was a perfect ending to an amazing trip!
