Photographing Striped Marlins and Bait Balls on Mexico’s Sardine Run Expedition
Overview Of The Striped Marlin Expedition
If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the raw beauty of marine wildlife in action, photographing striped marlins and bait balls during the sardine run in Mexico is an unmatched experience. This annual event off the coast of Baja California draws underwater photographers from around the world, who hope to capture nature’s chaos and precision in one breathtaking shot.
The sardine run in Mexico typically peaks between October and December. During that window, you can witness thousands of sardines migrating along the Pacific near Bahia Magdalena, attracting a feeding frenzy of striped marlin, dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds in a high-energy spectacle. It’s often referred to as the secret Mexican sardine run, one of the most dynamic and visually intense ocean events on the planet.
Diving Into Marine Photography In Mexico
Photographing striped marlins during the sardine run takes more than a great camera. You need to be quick, alert, and ready to freedive the moment the opportunity arises. These marlins move with speed and precision, cutting through bait balls with powerful bursts of motion. Wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing the full scene, and natural light often works best. Most of the action happens just below the surface, making early morning sun your ideal lighting window.
What sets this expedition apart is the consistent access to high-quality encounters. Baja Wild Encounters operates directly from Puerto San Carlos or Magdalena Island, keeping you close to the action and maximizing your time in the water. The groups are small, the gear support is dialed in, and the days are built around maximizing special encounters.
Oftentimes, if you don’t have a high-quality camera, chances are that a member of the team will be shooting some incredible shots, and luckily, with you in them, in the action. There’ll also likely be a member of the team on this expedition able to provide detailed tips on photo and video settings for your camera while capturing the immense spectacle. For example, anything from ISO, exposure settings, and frame rate. You’ll have photography expertise on hand.
A great idea is to message a member of Baja Wild Encounters for any camera or underwater housing advice before you go on the trip to make sure you’re in the best position to guarantee some epic shots.
What’s The Best Camera For Marine Photography?
Normally, avid freedivers and adventurers can’t go wrong with a lot of Sony cameras, like the Sony Alpha IV, Sony FX 3, Sony FX30, and Canon EOS R5. Overall, some consensus from many reviewers is that the Olympus E-M10 IV, combined with the Backscatter E-M10 IV Octo Housing, is the best value option.
Seafrogs offer some great underwater housing options, too, while Nauticam is a high-quality but more expensive option. If you’re looking to capture some quality images or footage with an iPhone, this is also possible too as more of a more budget-friendly option using Divevolk underwater iPhone housing and anything above an iPhone 15 model. You can also use Log settings when recording, so color grading and post-production are more effective and professional.
Joining A Sardine Run Expedition
On any given day, it’s possible to find multiple active bait balls. At times, more than thirty striped marlins work together to hunt, joined by sea lions and diving birds, all chasing tightly packed clusters of sardines. For photographers, this offers an ever-changing scene filled with motion, contrast, and pure wild energy. The ocean is often clear, and the surface conditions can allow for stunning over-under shots or dramatic close-range sequences.
Joining a sardine run expedition in Baja means more than just being in the right place at the right time. It means having expert guides and skilled captains who understand the behavior of the animals and know how to safely position you for the best vantage points. Some expeditions also include a professional photographer on board who can help refine your technique and timing, offering insights that elevate your shots to the next level, as well as tips for editing shots.
These trips are designed for freedivers and snorkelers. There is no need for tanks since all the action happens near the surface. You will enter the water only when the guides determine conditions are safe and productive. While guests do not swim through bait balls directly, they are often placed just alongside the action, close enough to feel the rush but with respect for safety and the natural behavior of wild marine life.
If you are ready to experience this one-of-a-kind event, visit the Striped Marlin and Sardine Run Expedition page to see the full itinerary, gear list, and what to expect. The season fills up quickly for good reason, so it’s best to book or register interest as early as possible. From first light on the water to late afternoon encounters with striped marlins on the hunt, every moment is an opportunity to capture something unforgettable.
Whether you are building a wildlife portfolio or simply relish expedition photography as a hobby, the sardine run in Mexico offers one of the most thrilling experiences available to underwater photographers. Fast, raw, and deeply rewarding.
