SEA SAFARI · EXPEDITION
La Paz
Magdalena Bay Sardine Run
- Next departure
- November 2026
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Experience level
- Advanced snorkeler; able to sprint short bursts in swell
- Group size
- Small group (typically 6–10 guests)
- Nearest airport
- SJD (Los Cabos International) or LAP (La Paz, when available)
The Experience — Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico
The Expedition
In late autumn the Pacific pushes vast schools of sardines into Magdalena Bay, igniting one of the ocean’s most chaotic food webs. Striped marlin ball bait, sea lions thread the chaos, dolphins herd from below, and birds dive from above. This expedition chases the energy without turning it into a stunt. Andrew’s background as a One Ocean safety diver shows up in how entries are staged: tight briefings, rotations in the water, and calm exits when predators are feeding hard. Some sessions are pure adrenaline; others are foggy mornings waiting on radio reports. That mix is the sardine run — plan for both.
What's Included
Included
- 7 nights lodging near Magdalena Bay operations
- Daily boat missions with radios and experienced captains
- Andrew as expedition leader and safety briefing lead
- Breakfasts plus offshore lunches or shore meals as ops dictate
- Ground transfers on scheduled team arrival/departure days
- Photography workflow tips (backup, rinse, and field ethics)
Not Included
- Flights and excess baggage
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Alcohol and personal items
- Optional nitrox or scuba add-ons if offered locally and you are certified
- Gratuities to boat crews and hotel staff
Wildlife targets
What you might meet
Primary target
Striped marlin
Spectacular ball hunting when sardines corral near the surface.
Primary target
California sea lions
Rocket through baitballs, often stealing the show.
Primary target
Dolphins
Multiple species may push sardines from below.
Primary target
Frigatebirds & boobies
Surface signatures of bait from miles away.
Possible encounter
Whales (possible)
Humpbacks or other migrants may appear at the periphery.
Day by day
Field rhythm
Day 1 — Arrive Baja
Fly into SJD or LAP, settle near the coast, gear check, rod talk for weather windows.
Day 2 — Briefing & first scout
Morning ocean literacy session; afternoon run to feel swell, test exits, and scout for bird piles.
Day 3 — Baitball day one
Sunrise departure targeting marlin-led baitballs; multiple rotations with cameras.
Day 4 — Baitball day two
Push different sectors of the bay; flexibility if schools relocate overnight.
Day 5 — Rest & offload
Shorter day or land buffer to recover, service cameras, back up footage.
Day 6 — Pelagic extension
Deeper-water scout for dorado, turtles, or wandering mammal pods.
Day 7 — Flex weather day
Catch-up session if earlier days were blown out; otherwise cultural downtime.
Day 8 — Departure
Transfers to airport; export checklist for media.
The order flexes with weather and wildlife — every day is built around the best available window.
Gallery
From past departures
Logistics
Stay & vessel
Where you stay
- Twin-share rooms (upgrade on request)
- Early breakfasts & pack lunches offshore
- Ground transfers — scheduled days
- Photography etiquette coaching with Andrew
- Daily debrief expectations by weather
- Wi-Fi variable by property / region
On the water
- Open panga-style chase boats — low gunwales for easy water entries
- Small groups per boat with a dedicated spotter
- Shade canopy, fresh water & dry storage aboard
- Padded camera stowage & rinse bucket on deck
Exact property and vessel are confirmed in your pre-departure guide.
Dates & Availability
Departures
Before you go
Questions, answered
How experienced do I need to be in the water?
Requirements vary by expedition — most trips ask for strong, confident open-ocean snorkeling rather than a dive certification. The quick facts at the top of this page list this trip's honest prerequisites; if you're unsure where you stand, ask before you reserve.
Do I book this trip here or with a partner?
Follow the reserve button in the dates section above — it always reflects how this expedition is sold. Some trips take a deposit directly on this site; others book through a partner operator like Serpentine or One Ocean, and the button links out when they do.
How do deposits and balances work?
For trips sold via this store, a deposit reserves capacity on published trip dates; balance terms follow your confirmation and trip packet. Partner-booked trips follow that operator's policy.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. Medical, evacuation, and trip cancellation coverage is required before departure on expeditions Andrew leads or co-promotes. You'll be asked to certify coverage.
What if weather or wildlife don't cooperate?
Wild animals and ocean conditions owe us nothing. Briefings prioritize safety and ethics first — itineraries flex. Some days stay quiet; others rewrite your archive.