Magdalena Bay
Marlin & Bait Balls Mexico Sardine Run
“Up to 50 striped marlin were taking turns one by one, slicing in at high speed and attacking clueless sardine, while the rest of the marlin lurked under the big bait ball pressing the tiny fish against the surface. Dozens of California sea lions were hunting as I’ve never seen before. The whole scenario showed me the top predators role in an ecosystem and how they share their feeding strategy with other marine species creating very established hierarchy between them. It amazes me most when this happens underwater. I think we still have a lot to learn from every single animal found on that aqua medium. If somebody asked me which is the trip I wait every year to happen, I would say 100% the Mexican sardine run with striped marlins!”
— David S
Striped Marlin of Magdalena Bay
Every fall, the waters outside of Magdalena Bay are home to a deep ocean upwelling, which combine with warm waters to create perfect conditions for massive schools of sardine in the cobalt blue, shallow ocean water. The surrounding waters teem with life with bait balls and predators from seabirds to blue and mako sharks, sea lions, whales, dolphins and the ocean’s fastest fish, the striped marlin (Kajikia audax). Marlin can swim as fast as 50 mph (80 kmh) and it’s the thrill of a lifetime to be in the water next to a bait ball with marlin whizzing past you, dorsal fins full erect. Extra bonus is the hundreds of turtles often seen on the surface.
Magdalena Bay is a gorgeous place to visit just for the pristine beauty, mangroves and giant sand dunes of the outer islands. We work closely with a group of local panga drivers who know these waters like the back of their hands. Captain G, for example, starting driving a fishing panga 42 years ago when he was 12 years old. He became captain at age 14. And by 18 he had saved up enough money to buy his own panga and stopped fishing to concentrate on eco-tourism. First with whale watching and then with crazy divers (like us!) who wanted to see sharks instead of fishing for them, and then in 2016, for the first time, putting divers in the water around the bait balls. We are very lucky and glad to be working side by side with Captain G and his family and friends in the local community.
This is a deeply personal experience with maximum five to six guests per panga, guided by a divemaster and a local captain. Divers and non-divers are equally welcome. Limited scuba diving is available by prior request on sites like the wreck of a WW1 submarine.
Your Magdalena Bay Adventure on The Mango Wind Looks Like This*
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Day 1 – Transfer to Magdalena Bay
Gateway La Paz, San José or Cabo SeeCreatures (SJD). Luxury coach departure to Magdalena Bay. 5 1/2 hour scenic drive plus a short meal break. Panga pickup for transfer to either your luxury sailing catamaran.
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Day 2-5 – Chase the Bait Balls of Magdalena Bay
Cooperative eco-tourism program with local pangas and highly knowledgeable captains. Nobody does a better job at finding bait balls than Captain G and his family and friends. Spend as much or as little time as you want on the water each day. The more time, the more striped marlin encounters! Scuba diving is available with prior arrangements. Magdalena Bay is loaded with life this time of year, and aside from marlin, you might also spot whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks and sea lions. Don’t forget to check out the mangroves and gorgeous sand dunes.
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Day 6 – Wave Goodbye
In the afternoon we’ll head back to shore and transfer you to La Paz, San José or Cabo SeeCreatures.
*Our captains and crew will do their very best to give you the most spectacularly dive experience.
Given weather and animal sighting itinerary may vary.
Magdalena Bay Gallery
Blogs
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2024 Mobulas & Orcas Season
We had a terrific 2024 mobulas and orca season. We now believe there are at least 3 pods of orcas that are resident year-round in the Sea of Cortez. Not just around La Ventana, but further north as well. In fact, we saw one pod feeding off loreto just yesterday, Sept 10 and then again this […]
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Does a spotter airplane make any difference to our Sea of Cortez trips???
Heck yes!! Take yesterday, for example. It was a nice day in late July, the first dive day on an Ultimate Whale Shark expedition to Bahia de Los Angeles. We were anchored off Las Animas, north of La Paz. The warm-up dive was great, with loads of fish and California sea lions. Our guests loved it. For […]
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The perfect end to an amazing trip.
There is no better way to end a mobula and orca trip. Today, the last day of a trip where it must be said, we have had luck and help from the entire Nautilus team, such as the plane that helps us every day to spot marine life, other ships such as the Nautilus Undersea […]
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10/5 stars!!! Incredible trip!
10/5 stars!!!! I am NOT a review person so when I say that this trip was everything I could ever imagine, I MEAN IT!! Everyone on board is absolutely incredible both in personality and in the way they care for us as guests. We’ve had amazing experiences in the water while diving and snorkelling and […]
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Through the eyes of a Dive Guide
I can not believe how lucky we have been, we had an experience like from another world with whale sharks, we also had the opportunity to see some juveniles hammerheads, also we’ve seen humpback whale, sea lions, frog fish, huge puds of dolphins, common dolphins and bottle nose dolphins, and a curious encounter with a […]
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20ft whale shark with 4 juveniles!
What a great welcome the north of the Sea of Cortez has given us. Yesterday we arrived at the beautiful bahia de los Angeles, after a very beautiful journey seeing the coast of the peninsula of Baja California and Baja California Norte. As it could not be otherwise, this magical sea gave us the passage […]
