Magdalena bay
sardine run and Striped Marlin Migration
nOVEMBER - DECEMBER
Expedition details
Experience a world spectacle off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico during the short window of the Magdalena Bay sardine run and striped marlin migration. Witness the secret Mexican sardine run where thousands of striped marlin showcase their speed, agility, and swordsmanship as they stun and devour huge bait balls congregating in the Pacific Ocean near Bahia Magdalena. But that's not all, this feast attracts an abundance of marine life including Bryde’s whales, humpbacks, orcas, sailfish, makos, blue sharks, tuna, dolphins, sea lions, and thousands of sea birds. Avoid the tourist resorts and board a local fisherman's panga to scale across the ocean where you can witness this spectacle up close. Jump into the water to see over 30 striped marlin attacking a bait ball of sardines, and experience a real-life nature documentary with your own eyes! With full days of excitement and new surprises, don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure.
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Main target species:
Striped Marlin
Dolphins (Bottlenose, Common, White Sided, Pantropical spotted, Spinners and more!)
Sea Lions
Also chance of seeing:
Orcas - If you are joining this trip just to see orcas, then this is not the trip for you.
Whales - Humpback, Blue, Fin, Brydes
Pilot Whales, False Orcas.
Sea Birds
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Full day open ocean guided boat days - Less distance to travel to the action so more time with the animals!
Double Occupancy room with 2 beds each and shared bathroom.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transportation from and to La Paz to Bahia Almeja.
Photos and Videos
Snorkel gear - but we strongly recommend that you bring your own for comfort and performance.
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Flights/transfers to La Ventana/La Paz
Transportation from/to other destinations in Baja
Food & drinks on travel days
Tips/gratuity -if you feel inclined to leave a tip because you had an amazing time the team would be delighted and grateful for your generosity :)
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Full snorkel gear - Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Weight Belt, Wetsuit (Recommended 5mm long)
Warm clothing - it can get cold in the early morning and with the wind.
Waterproof clothing
Reef safe sunscreen/protection
Sea sickness/nausea pills
A good attitude, this is nature, there are no guarantees with what we can see.
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5 Day w/ 3 boat days = $2,600 USD
7 Day w/ 5 boat days = $3,500 USD
*Prices are per person. Capacity: Min 4, Max 6.
Expedition information
Magdalena bay sardine run and striped marlin Itineraries
*Please note that the itinerary may change slightly due to weather, current marine life sighting reports, and other factors out of our control.
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Day 1:
Arrive, meet and greet in La Paz
Take shuttle to our southern Magbay location.
Check into accommodation
Welcome brief and meal.
Day 2-4:
Take away breakfast burritos on the boat
Full boat day in search of bait balls and other big animals!
Lunch on boat
Afternoon hang with presentation, games, walks.
Day 5
Breakfast!
Transport back to La Paz.Swap contact details, say goodbye, book onto next trip and plan to meet each other again!! :D
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Day 1:
Arrive, meet and greet in La Paz
Take shuttle to our southern Magbay location.
Check into accommodation
Welcome brief and meal.
Day 2-6:
Take away breakfast burritos on the boat
Full boat day in search of bait balls and other big animals!
Lunch on boat
Afternoon hang with presentation, games, walks.
Day 7
Breakfast!
Transport back to La Paz.Swap contact details, say goodbye, book onto next trip and plan to meet each other again!! :D
open dates 2026:
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Oct 25th to 29th: 6 spaces left
Nov 1st to 5th: 6 spaces left
Nov 15th to 19th: 5 spaces left
Nov 22nd to 26th: 2 spaces left
Dec 6th to Dec 10th: 2 spaces left
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Oct 25th to 31st: 6 spaces left
Nov 1st to 7th: 6 spaces left
Nov 15th to 21st: 5 spaces left
Nov 22nd to 28th: SOLD OUT
Dec 6th to Dec 12th: 4 spaces left
More weeks in December are available upon request.
Contact us to arrange custom dates not shown above.
*We need a minimum of 4 people for the expedition to work, if the expedition you have joined doesn’t have enough people we will try to move you to another date that does.
What makes us different?
Our priority is to provide the best access to the bait balls and the sea life they attract - at the earliest hour possible.
We aim to maximize your time on board and minimize long navigation times back and forth to the action.
Staying close to the area allows us to be among the first to arrive at the prime spots most days.
You’ll be based at our Casita, located in a quiet local community south of Magdalena Bay, right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
During your free time, you can enjoy the local fishing village culture, go for a walk, or eat at traditional restaurants and comedores in the area.
All meals, refreshments, and non-alcoholic drinks are included during your stay.
Embrace the Serenity of being Off-the-Grid.
Immerse yourself in nature with our accommodation options:
Stay in our quiet Casita in the fishing community or enjoy our canvas glamping experience on the island, both nestled along the Pacific Ocean shores. We offer tranquil havens far from the hustle and bustle.
While we celebrate our natural surroundings, we acknowledge the importance of staying connected in today's world. Please note that due to our remote location, internet access may be limited.
Take this opportunity to disconnect and unwind – pack a book and prepare to enjoy!
Area Information
Weather:
Baja has a sunny, dry climate and only sees about 25cm/10 inches of rain in an entire year. Most of this rain falls from late August through September. The rest of the year we barely see rain.
We explore the open ocean, it is likely to be choppy, wavey and windy.
Temperature:
*Averages
Oct Day 32°C/90°F - Night 21°C/70°F
Nov Day 28°C/82°F - Night 18°C/64°F
Dec Day 26°C/79°F - Night 16°C/61°F
Water conditions:
Water temperatures: 24°C to 27°C / 75°F to 80°F
Water temperature can vary every day, we recommend bringing a 3mm wetsuit, but if you get cold easily we recommend a 5mm.
Anything Else?
Logistics: The nearest airports are LAP La Paz, SJD San Jose del Cabo, LTO Loreto.
Please note the Magdalena Bay Sardine Run and Striped Marlin tour is a swimming/snorkel adventure, but if you prefer to watch from the safety of the boat that is also fine! Please bring appropriate clothing and dive equipment
Please feel free to bring your camera, although we do our best to take the perfect photos and videos for you, it’s always fun to take your own perspective!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Sardine Run in Magdalena Bay is a natural phenomenon where massive schools of sardines migrate along the coast, attracting predators like striped marlin, sea lions, and dolphins. This event usually occurs from October to December.
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The prime time for Striped Marlin in Magdalena Bay coincides with the Sardine Run, typically from late October to early December, when marlin gather to hunt the sardines.
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During these expeditions, you can expect to witness the exciting spectacle of striped marlin hunting sardines, along with sightings of other several marine predators. Some tours also offer the chance to snorkel or dive in the action, depending on the conditions and your guide instructions.
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While these tours are amazing, they are best suited for experienced swimmers, divers or freedivers due to the open ocean conditions and the fast-paced nature of the activity. However, non-divers can still enjoy the spectacle from the boat.
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The best time of day to see the Sardine Run is generally early in the morning. This is when marine predators, including striped marlin, are most active in hunting the sardines. However, we have had incredible encounters throughout all hours of the day!
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These tours typically last a full day, starting early in the morning and returning by late afternoon.
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Besides striped marlin, you might also encounter dolphins, sea lions, whales (including humpbacks or blue whales), orcas, sharks, and various seabirds that are drawn to the feeding frenzy.
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While the Sardine Run attracts a large number of striped marlin, sightings cannot be guaranteed due to the unpredictable nature of wildlife. However, our experienced guides will do their best to provide the most rewarding experience possible.
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Yes, our tours adhere to strict environmental guidelines to minimize our impact on the marine ecosystem. We prioritize sustainable practices to ensure that the Sardine Run and Striped Marlin season can be enjoyed for years to come.
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Yes, freediving during the Sardine Run is possible and is an incredible way to experience the event. However, it’s important to be an experienced freediver due to the open ocean conditions, the presence of large predators, and the dynamic nature of the bait ball. Our expert nature guide will assess the conditions and make sure it is safe before allowing you to freedive. If this is one of your intentions, please mention it beforehand to your guide and follow his lead at all times.
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In this situation swimming though bait balls can be dangerous, imagine an animal weighing up to 240kg, with a sharp sword attached to its face, swimming at speeds of up to 80km/h (50mph) through a bait ball to feed… there is a chance that a whale could come from nowhere and try to scoop the whole bait ball with one big mouthful. So, you can see why we don’t allow guests to intentionally swim through the bait balls.
We strongly advise that you always go to these expeditions with experienced guides, as the wrong guidance can lead to injuries. We watch the action from a close enough distance to see the action but far enough to not be in the danger zone.