Nautilus Swell

The Nautilus Swell is a newly refitted 28m (90ft) classic and beautiful wooden vintage vessel. Home is in the waters of British Columbia (BC) and Alaska, where she has a history in a variety of services in all regions of the Pacific North West. She for sure lives up to a high standard of modern liveaboard comfort and safety without losing the character of a vintage wooden vessel.

From April to October she offers excursions around BC. From May to September the vessel is in Alaska. These trips are equally exciting for divers and non-divers. BC offers an unmatched and untamed nature experience and so does Alaska where one can experience the untouched wilderness and admire the glaciers. The excursions used to be offered in the past by her sister ship Nautilus Explorer which is now permanently located in Mexico.

There is plenty of space on board the vessel in the dive and recreational areas. A hot tub for all guests is very much welcomed in the cooler climate. Altogether there are 7 guest cabins for 12-14 divers, all with ensuite bathroom and individual temperature control. Two double staterooms are on the hot-tub deck with bunk beds, a skylight, portholes and a door that opens directly to the outside. Both staterooms have very large ensuites. On the same deck are 2 single occupancy staterooms that are very similar to the double staterooms (bunk style) except that the ensuites are slightly smaller. These cabins are available as a twin if requested.

There are 2 superior suites on the main deck which span the width of the superstructure with a door at each end of the cabin, portholes and bright atmosphere. One superior cabin has 2 bunks. The other cabin has a 3/4 double bed and a single bed beside.
The “Captain’s Cabin” is at the forward end of this deck and accessible through the large, comfortable wheelhouse (where you are welcome to hang out). This cabin has the added bonus of being able to step out into the wheelhouse and enjoy the panoramic view. It has a 3/4 double bed and a single berth fitted at 90 degrees to the other berth.

Diving from the Nautilus Swell couldn’t be easier. The 12m (38ft) dive tender Inde has plenty of space. It was previously used for 24 divers on the sister ship Nautilus Explorer. Now it only carries 12–14 divers on the Swell. It is essentially the “dive deck”, with loads of room for storage. Once your gear is set up on Inde, a single step down from the mothership, and you won’t have to touch it again for the rest of the trip. A large multi-level camera table, covered drysuit rack, work station, gear storage area and sparkling clear hot tub are located one flight of stairs up from Inde.
Dives in both destinations are planned around the slack tides which usually limits the dives to 3 per day. In BC, you get the odd night dive, while in Alaska the sun does not allow any night diving! Diving and itinerary are subject to the captain’s discretion.

Alaska is stunning and spectacular. The diving is some of the best cold water diving in the world. The animals topside are just as enthralling as the critters below surface; grizzly bears ambling along the beach, bald eagles more numerous than seagulls, humpback whales blowing right beside the back deck water level as you sip your morning coffee. Expect incredible diving, photo opportunities, kayaking and shore expeditions all the way through climbing up icebergs.

British Columbia diving offers some of the best cold water diving in the world, it is heaven for those who appreciate and enjoy the challenge of dry-suit diving. Expect incredible color and amazing diversity of life: Giant pacific octopus, Wolf-eels, Nudibranchs galore and giant kelp forests. Vertical walls so densely covered in life that there isn’t even a square inch in which you can touch the wall. It’s no wonder that this was ranked as the best diving in the North America 3 years in a row.

April to October: 7 night British Columbia excursions from/to Port Hardy are scheduled.

May to mid September: Alaska trips are scheduled for 10 nights. Trips typically board in either Juneau or Sitka with 2 departures each season from Ketchikan.

This ship has great character and offers an incredible journey to nature below and above the surface like you very likely have never seen before. Expect exceptional service levels from a friendly and professional crew.