Magdalena Bay Expedition

Overview

  • Join us to experience “The Mexican Sardine Run

  • 5 Day trip to the magnificent Magdalena Bay Island off the coast of Baja, Mexico

  • Striped Marlin, variety of Whales, Sea lions, Mobula ray migrations, other pelagic species, dolphins and so much more!

  • Start and end point is Cabo San Lucas

  • All-inclusive package: Price covers boat rides with experienced captains, professional guides and photographers, high-quality photos and videos of your experience, comfortable accommodations, meals prepared by our private chef, and all in-country transportation.

Experience One Of Planet Earth’s Most Epic Natural Displays

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the wild waters off the breathtaking coast of Baja California Sur to witness one of nature’s most spectacular events, The Mexican Sardine Run.

This 5-night expedition unfolds under star-filled skies on the remote and beautiful Magdalena Island. Each fall, seasonal upwelling brings nutrient-rich waters to the surface, igniting a chain reaction in the food web. Blooms of plankton draw in vast schools of sardines and Pacific mackerel, which in turn attract an incredible array of predators, from whales, dolphins, and mahi-mahi to sea lions, seabirds, and of course, the legendary striped marlin.

Every morning, we’ll set out early in search of bait balls, hoping to witness the lightning-fast strikes of marlin, the playful acrobatics of sea lions, and the rich biodiversity of this pelagic paradise, including chances to encounter migrating mobula rays, breaching whales, and more.

We have a saying on our expeditions: “Control the controllables.” The ocean is full of surprises, and whatever it offers us, we’ll make the absolute most of it. But the things we can control, we make sure they’re done right. That means organized transportation, a skilled chef who accommodates all dietary needs, experienced and qualified guides, the best captains in the area, including our main captain who was born and raised on Magdalena Island and knows these waters better than anyone, great energy and positive vibes, and comfortable accommodations to rest and recharge each night.

Professional Photography on Every Expedition
Every Magdalena Bay expedition includes two professional guides/photographers dedicated to capturing your adventure from start to finish. We’re in the water and on the boats every day, photographing each guest and working to create as much unique, high-quality content as possible. From intimate moments to once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, you’ll return home with stunning images that let you relive the magic long after the trip ends.

Itinerary

Arrival Day

Arrive one day before the official start of your expedition to ensure you're rested and ready for the adventure. Please note: lodging and meals for this day are not included in the trip package.

Day 1 – Travel to Magdalena Bay

We’ll depart from the meeting point and begin our scenic 4-hour drive to Magdalena Bay. Along the way, we’ll stop in La Paz for lunch and make a few additional stops for snacks and coffee.
Upon arrival in San Carlos, we’ll settle in, enjoy dinner, and gather for team introductions and a full briefing on what to expect in the days ahead. Everything from this day to our last day is covered in the package.

Days 2–5 – Four Full Days of Action

  • 6:30 AM: Light breakfast is served by our chef.

  • 7:15 AM: Departure from the island to begin the search for bait balls and wildlife action.
    Because we’re one of the only groups staying directly on the island, we have a head start and better positioning than most boats in the area.

  • ~5:00 PM: Return to the island to rinse off and enjoy a light snack — usually fresh guacamole and chips among other things.

  • 6:30 PM: Group dinner.

We’ll repeat this daily structure for four thrilling days filled with marlin, sea lions, mobulas, whales, dolphins, and more.

Day 6 – Return to San José del Cabo

We’ll depart the island at 7:00 AM and begin our journey back to San José del Cabo, arriving around 3:00 PM (local time).
If you need to fly out on this day, please let us know in advance — we can arrange early transportation with our second van to ensure you make it to the airport on time.

What’s Included

What’s Included:

  • Round-trip transportation between Cabo San Lucas and Puerto San Carlos

  • Round-trip transportation between Puerto San Carlos and Magdalena Island

  • 5 nights of accommodation at the island house

  • 4 full days on the water exploring the sardine run and surrounding pelagic action

  • All food provided by our chef; 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners in total

  • Snacks provided during boat trips and van rides

  • Non-alcoholic beverages and water with meals

  • 1 complimentary beer per dinner, per person

  • Photos and videos of your experience, professionally captured and shared with you

Join us for a week in Magdalena Bay, Mexico for one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events, “The Mexican Sardine Run”.

$3,500

There are 5 different dates for the 2025 year:

2025 Dates:

  • November 5th - 10th (1/10 spots left)

  • November 13th - 18th (SOLD OUT)

  • November 25th - 30th (1/10 spots left)

  • December 3rd - 8th (2/10 spots left)

  • December 9th - 14th (SOLD OUT)

Deposit: $1,750 USD

Fill out the form below to reserve your spot or join the waiting list for an expedition. Be sure to include your preferred date, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Cancellation Policy

  • To Reserve Your Spot: A non-refundable $500 deposit secures your place for up to 6 months before the start of your expedition.

  • 6 Months Before Expedition: A 50% deposit is required. This amount is 50% refundable until the 3-month mark.

  • 3 Months Before Expedition: Deposits become non-refundable. We kindly ask you to pay the remaining balance of your trip total at this time as well.

All deposits go directly toward securing captains, chef, and accommodations that make your trip possible.

Thank you for your understanding!

”An experience you
will never forget”