Magdalena Bay Sardine Run
Puerto San Carlos - Baja California Sur, Mexico
Feel the pulse of the ocean during one of the world’s largest sardine migrations—where adventure meets the power of nature’s wildest spectacle!
What’s Included
✔ 5 days/4 nights
✔ 3 Ocean Expeditions (10h per day)
✔ Accommodation (double occupancy)
✔ Airport/Hotel pick-up on arrival day - La Paz
✔ Airport/Hotel Drop-off on departure day - La Paz
✔ Transportation between locations
✔ Snacks, water, fresh fruits
✔ Breakfast & boat lunch
✔ Boat, Captain & Professional Freediver/guide on board
✔ Educational guidance about Magdalena Bay species
Not included
✗ Flights
✗ Dinners
✗ Freediving equipment (rental available)
✗ Travel/Dive Insurance (required)
✗ Gratuity for Captains - Optional
Available dates 2026
Each expedition is limited to a maximum of 7 guests
November 11th-15th: OPEN - 7 spots left
November 19th-23rd: OPEN - 5 spots left
November 27th-December 1st: OPEN - 7 spots left
Price
$2750 USD
$750 USD Deposit
Terms and Conditions
About the trip
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Max. 7 ppl (minimum 4). Small groups ensure a more intimate experience and respectful marine encounters.
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18 years old
Basic Freediving/Snorkle experience
Insurance (mandatory, to get yours, visit dan.org or World Nomads)
Each participant will be required to provide Passport copy and sign a liability waiver before the expedition, the waiver can be found here.
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All accommodation is included (during expedition days).
Rooms are based on double occupancy, meaning you will share the room with another guest.
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Boat lunch box will be provided on expedition days (burritos, ceviche, etc). Vegetarian and vegan options are available and must be communicated to me before the trip.
Dinner will be served at the hotel or local restaurant around 6:00 pm.
We leave too early for the hotel to be open for breakfast, so if you want some early snacks the are local stores at Puerto San Carlos where you can buy fruit or any other goodies. I will provide granola protein bars and fruits as well.
✅ Breakfast included at hotel on our departure day.
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Freediving equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, 5mm wetsuit, weightbelt and weights (equipment available for rent)
Proof of dive insurance
Spending money for personal expenses (I recommend bringing cash Mexican pesos for tips and local stores in San Carlos)
Hat, buff, polarized sunglasses, warm sweater, dry bag, beach towel, dry clothes for after diving, waterproof jacket, sandals or shoes that can get wet
Personal water bottle (although there will be water and drinks available on the boat)
Any special foods or medications (seasickness tablets, waterproof bandaids for fin sores, electrolytes)
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Although there is very high possibility we encounter all of these animals, we can't guarantee it 100%. Same with conditions. We will see what the ocean provides, yet this is a very good time of the year.
Good water skills, comfort in the open ocean, and the ability to get in and out of the boat quickly are essential. Expect long days in the boat! And the best adventures :)
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You can fly directly into La Paz International Airport (LAP) from Tijuana (TIJ), Ciudad de México (MEX) o Guadalajara (GDL). There are also direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX).
Another option is to fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which offers many direct flights from the United States and Europe. Please note that if you choose this option you will have to arrange a taxi to La Paz (around 100 USD). -
To ensure a smooth transfer to Puerto San Carlos (approximately 3.5 hours by car), please book your flights according to the following schedule.
November 11th–15th Expedition
Arrival: November 11th before 1:00 PM
Departure: November 15th after 1:00 PM
November 19th–23rd Expedition
Arrival: November 19th before 1:00 PM
Departure: November 23rd after 1:00 PM
November 27th–December 1st Expedition
Arrival: November 27th before 1:00 PM
Departure: December 1st after 1:00 PM
We highly recommend arriving one day before your expedition begins if you cannot find a flight that lands before 1:00 PM on the first day. This gives you time to rest after your journey and ensures you don't miss the group transfer to Puerto San Carlos.
The arrival and departure times are important because we travel 3.5 hours by road between the airport and Puerto San Carlos. Arriving before 1:00 PM allows enough time for the group transfer, and departing after 1:00 PM ensures you'll have sufficient time to return to the airport after the expedition.
Itinerary
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We recommend arriving in La Paz at least one day before the expedition begins. This will give you time to rest and adjust, especially if you're traveling from afar or dealing with jet lag.
**Please note that travel and accommodation expenses are not included.
If you're arriving on Day 1, we’ll be there to pick you up at the airport. Please make sure your flight arrives no later than 13:00 to La Paz Airport, as we can’t offer pickups after this time.
We will then embark on a 3.5-hour drive to Magdalena Bay. Upon arrival at the hotel in Puerto San Carlos, a delicious dinner will be waiting for us.
After dinner, I’ll provide introductions and a detailed briefing to prepare you for the exciting days ahead!
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(Days 2/3/4) – 3 days of pure ACTION! The captain will pick us up at 6:30 am to make the most out of our days to get an early jump on the search for bait balls and the Pelagic hunters!
Get ready for long ocean days and lots of adventures. -
Goodbye Breakfast (7:30am) + Drive back to la Paz.
We will arrive to La Paz at 13:30 pm approximately. Drop off at your hotel or at the airport (make sure your flight is after 14:00 pm if you are flying out the same day).
The Hotel
Our expeditions are based in Puerto San Carlos, a small and authentic fishing town on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. While tourism has started to grow in recent years, accommodation options remain very limited, which is part of what makes this destination feel so genuine and untouched.
For our expeditions, we work with two locally owned accommodations. Each expedition group will stay in one of these hotels for the entire duration of the trip—there is no need to change hotels during your stay.
Both accommodations offer comfortable double-occupancy rooms, hot showers, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and everything you need for a good night's rest after long days on the water.
Sunset Hotel
We've been hosting our groups at Hotel Sunset San Carlos for the past few years.
Located right on the waterfront, it's the perfect place to unwind after a day at sea. The hotel features a restaurant overlooking the bay, where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets while sharing stories from the day's adventure with the group.
Hotel Cristy
Our second accommodation is Hotel Cristy, a simple, clean, and welcoming family-run hotel located in the heart of town.
Owned by Álvaro and Cristy, a local family who also runs one of the town's small grocery stores, staying here gives us the opportunity to directly support the local community. The rooms are comfortable, cozy, and provide everything we need after a full day exploring Magdalena Bay.
A Local Experience
Puerto San Carlos isn't a luxury destination—and that's exactly what makes it so special.
This small fishing town offers a truly authentic Baja experience. Rather than staying in large resorts, you'll experience the warmth and hospitality of locally owned accommodations while directly supporting the families who call this community home.
Our days are spent immersed in nature, exploring one of Baja's most extraordinary marine ecosystems. We leave early each morning and return in the evening, so the hotel becomes a comfortable place to shower, enjoy dinner, relax, and recharge before the next day's adventure.
One of the most unique parts of the experience is how each day begins. Our captain picks us up directly at our hotel while towing the boat, so there's no need to drive to a marina. We simply hop aboard from the shoreline and head straight into Magdalena Bay. It's a fun local tradition that perfectly captures the authentic spirit of Puerto San Carlos and makes the adventure begin the moment we step outside our hotel.
Did you know…?
Marlins are among the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds up to 68 miles per hour! Their streamlined bodies and long, pointed bills make them incredible swimmers.
Blue marlins are known for their dramatic leaps out of the water, a behavior called breaching. It’s thought to help them escape predators or dislodge parasites.
Marlins are apex predators, feeding on squid, smaller fish, and even flying fish. Their sharp bills are used to slash through schools of fish, making it easier to catch their prey.
Female marlins are larger than males and can weigh up to 1,800 pounds, while males rarely exceed 300 pounds.
Marlins are migratory and travel vast distances across oceans in search of food and suitable spawning grounds, often covering thousands of miles.
FAQs
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Striped marlins, fin and Bryde's whales, humpback whales, sea lions, dolphins (bottlenose and common), orcas, gray whales, and a variety of bird species—these are just some of the incredible animals you might encounter.
While there’s a very high chance of seeing these creatures, encounters aren’t 100% guaranteed as we operate in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, where nature is always unpredictable. Sometimes, even small changes in water temperature can attract unexpected species—just like in 2023, when dorados made a surprise appearance. Who knows what surprises 2025 has in store? Let’s find out together!
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Swimming with marlins and other predators is an extraordinary and thrilling experience, but it’s important to approach it with respect and caution. We will provide you with clear instructions to ensure both your safety and the animals' well-being. It’s crucial to follow their directions at all times.
When observing baitballs, where marlins and other predators are actively hunting, maintaining a safe distance is essential. These are dynamic environments, and sudden movements from predators—or even appearances by whales feeding on sardines—can occur. By respecting the safety guidelines and staying calm, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience fully and responsibly.
Remember, while there’s inherent risk in any wildlife encounter, adhering to the guides’ instructions allows us to minimize it and create unforgettable memories in this unique natural setting.
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Mag Bay days are full of adventure on the water. We’ll set out early, around 6:00 am, and won’t return until 3:00 or 4:00 pm. Get ready to fully embrace the present moment! Our goal is to make the most of each day and provide you with an unforgettable experience. And don’t worry—when you’re immersed in the magic of Magdalena Bay, time feels like it stands still. You’ll hardly notice the day has flown by until we start heading back. 😊
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A freediving certification is not required, but participants must be able to swim at least 250 meters unaided, feel comfortable in the open ocean, and be capable of jumping in and out of the boat (a ladder is available for ease). This expedition requires a certain level of comfort and experience at sea. However, if you prefer to stay dry or limit how often you jump in, you can still enjoy incredible wildlife encounters from the boat. There’s plenty of action to witness from above the water too!
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The water temperature in Magdalena Bay, Mexico, during November and December typically ranges between 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F). The temperature can vary slightly depending on weather patterns and ocean currents, but it’s generally warm and comfortable for activities like snorkeling, freediving, and marine expeditions.
We recommend bringing a 5mm wetsuit, gloves and socks for more comfort in the water. -
5mm wetsuit (or 3mm if you are not a cold person)
gloves and socks (optional)
Fins, snorkel, mask, weight-belt, weights
We understand that traveling with weights is not ideal. There is an option to rent weights for the trip, as well as all of the equipment above. Once you have reserved your spot, you can let us know if you need equipment rental.