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; packed lunches in the field
- Ground transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days
- Photography etiquette coaching with Andrew
- Daily debrief; the plan flexes with conditions
- Wi-Fi variable by property / region
On the water
- Small, fast craft chosen for the site
- Small groups, with a spotter on wildlife days
- Shade, drinking water, and dry storage
- Padded camera stowage and a rinse point
Exact property and vessel are confirmed in your pre-departure guide.
Dates & Availability
Departures
Before you go
Questions, answered
How physical is the sardine run?
Very. Expect sprints, sun, and occasional rough rides. If you have injuries or cardio limitations, talk to us before booking.
What cameras work best?
Compact housings to large DSLR rigs all appear in the field. Priority is maneuverability — you’ll move fast. Bring red filters or strobes as your style demands.
Can I scuba instead of snorkel?
Most baitball work is snorkel-first for speed. Scuba may be available on specific days but is not the focus.
What if the bait never shows?
That’s the ocean. We stack other blue-water options and bay ecology, but no operator can guarantee megafauna on command.