THE EXPEDITION
THE ULTIMATE MEXICO OCEAN SAFARI
MAGDALENA BAY
There are very few places in the world that continue to surprise us every time we visit. Magdalena Bay is one of them.
Each autumn, the nutrient-rich waters off the Pacific coast of Baja California become one of the ocean's greatest hunting grounds. Vast schools of sardines and mackerel gather in incredible numbers, creating the perfect conditions for an extraordinary concentration of marine predators.
No two days are ever the same.
Working with experienced local captains who spend their lives on these waters, we head out each morning in search of whatever the ocean has planned for us. One day it may be enormous bait balls twisting and changing shape as predators attack from every direction. The next, we could find Striped Marlin slicing through the bait at astonishing speeds, California Sea Lions charging into the chaos, or seabirds raining from the sky as the feeding frenzy erupts beneath them.
On lucky days, Bryde's Whales arrive to engulf entire schools of fish in a single lunge, while dolphins, Mako Sharks, or even Orcas can make unforgettable appearances. Every expedition is different, and that unpredictability is exactly what keeps drawing us back.
For underwater photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, Magdalena Bay is one of the most dynamic marine ecosystems on the planet. There are no guarantees about what you'll encounter—but that's the magic. Every day feels like an expedition of discovery, with the possibility of witnessing behaviours that very few people ever get to see.
We've returned to Magdalena Bay year after year because it never becomes predictable. Even after countless expeditions, we're still discovering new behaviours, new opportunities, and new reasons to be amazed.
That's the hallmark of a truly world-class wildlife destination.
It's not a place you visit once and cross off your list.
It's a place that keeps calling you back.
AVAILABLE EXPEDITION DATES
MAGDALENA BAY
Magdalena Bay is a 50 km long bay in Comondú Municipality along the western coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It is protected from the Pacific Ocean by the unpopulated sandy barrier islands of Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita. Here every year around October and November large schools of sardines turn up to be feasted upon by stripped marlin and plenty of other pelagic’s.
Our day starts by leaving the dock early morning as the birds begin to leave looking for the sardines so do we, for an action packed blue water experience. Looking for sardines, schools of birds and any other pelagics that we come across we wait prepared to jump in and snorkel with the feeding frenzy action as marlins and sea lions take turns to deplete the baitballs. Every day offers some unique experience and its not uncommon to encounter whales, schools of mobula rays and even ocras.
For the last few years between October and December Striped marlins have been gathering here to feed on the large amount of mackerel and sardine baitballs that form here. It is quite unbelievable how many stripped marlins are hunting here and its not uncommon to jump in on a baitballs with more than ten individuals hunting.
We will spend four days of this expedition looking for marlins and pelagic’s.
The group size is limited to max 6 participants plus one guide.
THE BOAT RIDES
ITINERARY
5 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS / 4 WATER DAYS
Day One - Arrive in La Paz
Day Two - Magdalena Bay - We will spend the day looking for pelagics and baitballs
Day Three - Magdalena Bay - We will spend the day looking for pelagics and baitballs
Day Four - Magdalena Bay - We will spend the day looking for pelagics and baitballs
Day Five - Magdalena Bay - We will spend the day looking for pelagics and baitballs
Day Six - Travel Day - 7.00am Travel back to La Paz or Cabo San Lucas (SJD)
INCLUDES ALL ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORT AND WATER ACTIVITIES
ALL EXPEDITION PACKAGES ARE BASED ON SHARING OCCUPANCY
ACCOMMODATION - LA PAZ
THE CATEDRAL HOTEL
ACCOMMODATION - MAGDALENA BAY
HOTEL ALCATRAZ
PRICE BREAKDOWNS
INCLUDES
Accommodation & Breakfast
Water Activities
Lunches On Activity Days
Transport starting and ending in La Paz
Photography by Richard Barnden
EXCLUDES
International or Domestic Flights
Gratuities
Rental Equipment
All Meals on Transport Days
Evening Meals/Dinners
OCEAN SAFARI INFORMATION
WATER TEMPERATURE - 24c / 72F
WETSUIT - 3mm / 5mm
PRESENTATIONS
During your stay with us your Expedition Leader and Location Expert will be working together delivering you in depth presentations regarding the biology of what we are witnessing. These presentations have taken years to formulate and develop and what makes part of our collaboration with Unique Dive Expeditions so special.
