Magdalena Bay
Mexico Sardine Run & Striped Marlin
“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
During October and November, a magical event happens in the nutrient rich swirling blue waters off Magdalena Bay where striped marlin gather to hunt on the second largest sardine run in the world. This thrilling underwater action is spectacular. There is an excellent chance of also seeing california sea lions, dolphin, wahoo, pelicans, different species of gulls, boobie birds, frigate birds, shearwaters and even the awe inspiring albatross.
While it’s best to snorkel or free dive around the bait balls there will be 3 to 4 dives on your week long trip with massive schools of fish, turtles and the wreck of a WW1 submarine and the passenger steam ship SS Independence. But wait, there is more! Humpback whales are on the move at this time of year and if we are really lucky, we might even see orcas or blue whales!
Your Magdalena Bay Adventure looks like this*
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Day 1
Drop by our SeeCreatures Dive Centre in the inner harbour of Cabo San Lucas to get fitted for any rental gear you might need and to take advantage of a complimentary Backscatter underwater photography workshop or a complimentary warmup dive or both! Meeting at the Dive Centre by 4:30 latest to board your liveaboard dive ship for a sunset cruise and overnight run up to Magdalena Bay.
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Day 2
Let’s go diving at the south end of Isla Santa Margarita. You will be amazed at the abundance and variety of life. Both dive sites are home to California sea lion colonies.
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Day 3
We are going to be diving shipwrecks today weather permitting. A WW1 submarine that is remarkably intact with loads of life or the wreck of the SS steamship Independence of the Vanderbuilt Line that sank with the loss of 150 lives.
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Day 4 to 6
Bait balls. striped marlin. incredible predatory behaviour. adrenaline rushes!! The sardine run off Magdalena Bay is massive with untold millions of fish. Our plan is to divide into groups of 6 or 7 divers per skiff and head out in individual groups when we spot a good bait ball. Unlike the smaller bait balls we see down at Socorro Island, these bait balls are so large that they can survive hours of predatory attacks giving us ample opportunity to snorkel, free-dive and experience this incredible behaviour. We will be out on the water all day, each day, before heading into shelter for cocktail hour and a calm anchorage every evening..
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Day 7
Spare day! While the swell is generally quite low during this time of year, we have allowed for an extra FLEX day in case of weather. We can always duck inside the Bay and explore the mangrove swamps and get some extra diving in. Weather permitting, we are aching to further explore Thetis Bank to find an offshore pinnacle rumoured to be as shallow as 40 feet. You can be sure that our captain and crew are going to do their very best to maximize your experience all week long subject to any weather constraints
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Day 8
Return to Cabo San Lucas for breakfast and disembarking by 8:30 a.m. Don’t forget that this is also peak season for diving the Sea of Cortez where we have back-to-back liveaboard trips available as well as Cabo Pulmo and day trips to Gordo Banks and also the whale sharks of Mogote! Let’s keep diving!!
*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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Mothers Day Celebration in Cerralvo
It was a small pod of eight orcas, including a massive and intimidating male and a mother with her calf. At some point, the male noticed our presence and he flipped with curiosity and started following us, we couldn’t believe it! Even though the group was traveling together, the mother and a young female remained on the side with the newborn to protect it and teach him how the group works.
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Underwater with One of the Most Iconic Orca Families of the Population Found in Baja
On the first day of the trip, the first open ocean safari, seven orcas! No words! One of the things I value the most in working in the wildlife ecotourism sector is seeing the emotions of the guests on their faces whenever they have an encounter that has been waiting for a very long time.
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One of Those Moments That Will Remain in Our Memories Forever!
We didn’t know where to look, fin whales were all around us. After spending more than 1-hour cruising around the bay of La Paz with them, we stopped the engines, jumped in the water, and float on the glassy flat sea surface without a single noise but the constant breathing of the whales in the distance.
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Blue Whales & Fin Whales, One of the Most Amazing Big Animals I Have Ever Seen
Blue whales. Balaenoptera musculus. One of the most amazing big animals I have ever seen. The back of the whale just went on and on and on until we saw the tiny dorsal fin at the back.
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I finally get to dive Gordo Banks, the best-darned dive site around Cabo San Lucas
For 20 years I have been captaining dive boats in the Sea of Cortez, Socorro, and Guadalupe Island and I’ve never had the chance to dive Gordo Banks. Which really sucks because Gordo Banks has the reputation of being the best-darned dive site around Cabo San Lucas.
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Mexico Liveaboards, the best destinations
With Mexico Liveaboards you can experience encounters with some of the most charismatic animals on the planet. Learn more about the best places to go diving.