The mobula rays live most of the year as solitary souls … or in very small groups. Scientist think they congregate in the waters around Cabo when the water temperatures are optimal for both mating and finding seasonal swarms of shrimp & plankton.

Nautilus Gallant Lady endeavors to find & follow the swirling mass of rays and to get you in the water with them as often as possible. The trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving so is an excellent choice for non-divers also.

You will see mobulas propelling themselves out of the water in great, flying leaps of acrobatic agility (scientists still aren’t sure the exact reason for this) and you will be amazed as hundreds of mobulas glide beneath the boat or your skiff. You’ll be able to dip into the water for a front-row seat as the graceful creatures perfrom their ritual dances before your eyes.

Seeing the colour variations and geometric patterns of these rays as they waltz underwater is a hypnotic sight and a dream for photographers. Above water, the rays confirm their reputation as stunning acrobats. Known by many as the “flying rays” of the Sea of Cortez, they are typically five to seven feet across (much smaller than the average Pacific Manta). Witnessing males leaping out of the water, pectoral fins flapping, is an unforgettable sight. The more athletic individuals can reach an altitude of ten feet or more.

And, perhaps the icing on the cake is that, where there are rays, there are orcas…

Nautilus Liveaboards know the waters of this sea well and will get you to the most likely sites for encountering this wildlife phenomenon. They will use a drone or a light plane to track the movement of the migration to maximize opportunities to enter the water with them. You will be able to to snorkel and free dive with mobula rays and predatory pods of orcas, plus huge pods of dolphins and even the possibly sperm & fin whales. If the rays are on the move, some encounters might only last minutes, but other encounters might last for an hour or longer, and sometimes the mobulas will even allow you into the middle of their squadron. Experience special night encounters with schooling rays as they swarm around our dive lights in shallow protected bays

As with any natural phenomenon such as this, there are no guarantees. The animals don’t arrive at our beck and call … but, never fear. Should you not have mobula rays & orcas every day, the Sea of Cortez is brimming with other wildlife to keep you busy & engaged.

Nautilus will take you swimming with whale sharks off La Paz (this is the best time of year to see huge pregnant whale sharks out in the open ocean). You’ll do some diving at Cabo Pulmo National Park, home to over 6,000 marine species. To finish off the trip, kayak, paddleboard, snorkel and hike on the beautiful, protected Isla Espiritu Santo.

The dive master’s blog recently recorded sightings of silky sharks, striped marlin (the ocean’s fastest fish), common dolphins by the hundreds, spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, a minke whale, a humpback whale, a Bryde’s whale, a pregnant whale shark and a blue whale !

Nautilus Gallant Lady has been totally refit after her Red Sea days. The boat is topped by a crow’s nest, great for spotting animal movements. The bridge, located below the crow’s nest, is open 24 hours a day to guests and just behind the bridge, you’ll find the open-air sky lounge, featuring comfortable seating (sofa-style benches, lounge chairs & deck chairs). This area is terrific for sun-lovers …. and for star-watchers at night. On the large bow section of the main deck you’ll find the hot tub and cushioned seating. Inside on this level is a well-equipped dining room / salon with TV, DVD, sound system and plenty of CDs and movie. The dive deck is at the aft and 2 suites are also found mid-ship on the main deck. The remaining 4 suites are on the lower deck.

All of the Nautilus vessels are all known for their “good eats”. On Gallant Lady you’ll enjoy a combination of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine with home-baked snacks and drinks between dives. On board is a wide selection of beer, wine and alcohol from the ship’s bar. The chef will do everything possible to accommodate special dietary needs. Please let us know your needs when you book.

The Sea of Cortez in May is in the mid-70°F range and it just gets warmer from there. We recommend a 5mm and a hooded vest, or a 7mm wetsuit.
Dive and evacuation insurance is mandatory. We can assist you with purchasing this if you like.

A maximum of 12 guests will be allowed on these trips and you will break into two groups of six for water time. This keeps the boat in compliance with the voluntary responsible operator guidelines.

For two days, Mondays and Tuesdays, you’ll have the best aerial spotter pilot in Mexico trying to get onto the large squadrons of mobulas and orcas. He estimates the probability of orcas at 30% every day. The overall probability is very, very good. More about this in the itinerary section.