The Mexican Sardine Run

This November I'll be heading to Baja California with Latitude Encounters to experience the Mexican sardine run. Bahia de Magdelena (Mag Bay) is one of the only places in the world where you can reliably get in the water and photograph striped marlins on the hunt, in my opinion its some of the most exhilarating ocean action on the planet. Marlin's aren't the only attraction, Californian sea lions also join the hunt and you never know what you'll encounter along the coast of Baja - Cetaceans such as orca, humpback whales, bryde's whales and different species of dolphin can also be encountered in Mag Bay along with mola mola and sometimes mobula rays.

As Mag Bay increases in popularity, we will be going out of our way to escape the crowds and spend as much time in the water with the bait balls as possible. Expect long days on the water, sunrise to sunset, sometimes heading more than 40 miles offshore in search of epic wildlife encounters.

Itinerary: 25th November - December 1st 2025

25/11: Travel day (+/- 6h drive from Cabo San Lucas)

26/11: Sardine run ocean safari

27/11: Sardine run ocean safari

28/11: Sardine run ocean safari

29/11: Sardine run ocean safari

30/11: Sardine run ocean safari

01/11: Travel day (+/- 6h drive from Cabo San Lucas)

We recommend to arrive in Cabo San Lucas a few days early to get over the jet lag and maybe join an ocean or shark safari to get comfy in the water and check your gear - there is no option to purchase equipment in San Carlos.

What’s Included:

Transportation
Breakfast/ LunchSnacks,
Water, Soft Drinks
Accommodation (doubleoccupancy)
Experienced Guide
5 days Ocean Exploration

What’s not included:

Airfare
Dinner
Personal expenses
Gratuity

What to Bring:

Personal Freedive/snorkel equipment
We suggest full-footed fins and 5mm wetsuit
Hat, sunglasses, RashguardBiodegradable sunscreen
Windproof jacket andWarm clothes for evenings
Reusable water bottleCash
(there are no ATMS in San Carlos)

While hunting, the marlin work together to corral the sardines up to

the surface and into tight bait balls. The marlins then take turns

darting towards the bait ball, using their long bills to hit, stun and

sometimes spear the fish before pivoting back to consume their

prey. While they are hunting the marlin flash their bright stripes as a

form of communication creating a magical display of animal

behaviour that we are lucky to witness.

As we continue to explore the area, we will be searching for not only marlin hunting on baitballs but also common dolphins, sealions, sharks and whales. Once we find the bait balls things really get interesting. The trip can be fast paced and we will be jumping in and out of the water throughout the day. We have been known to call this ocean Crossfit. The bait balls can move fast but our goal is to find the more stable static baitballs.

We will be freediving and snorkeling amongst these incredible animals in open ocean and good swimming skills as well as good physical condition are necessary for you to have a safe and enjoyable trip.

This area also boasts beautiful sand dunes, lush mangroves and

impressive cliffs; the epitome of the beautiful contrasts Baja is

famous for. If we have a rough weather day we have plenty of

options for exploring this incredible landscape

This expedition is created to explore the ocean. We will make sure

to cover all your needs with clean and safe accommodation and

delicious food, but please don’t expect 5 star luxury. While amenities

are nothing fancy, we will make sure you have everything you need to

be comfortable.

Every morning we will depart the boat ramp at sunrise and head out for our 1hr ride out of the bay to the open ocean, there the exploration

begins. Expect long days on the ocean, as sometimes we go as far as

40 miles offshore. We will provide plenty of food and drinks on the

boat. Boats are panga style with plenty of shade. We normally return

around sunset for a warm shower, dinner and a briefing for the next

day's plan.

Please note that this area can be very cold during the

mornings and evenings. Please come prepared with warm clothes for

the boat as well as the evenings on land.

For bookings, please contact me directly: ollieclarkephoto@gmail.com