San Carlos · Isla Magdalena · Baja California Sur, Mexico

Two Ways To Experience It

Marlin Expedition:
Front Row Access
to Baja’s Wildest Hunt

This is the wildest thing I’ve ever gotten to witness underwater. Striped marlins slicing through bait balls at full speed, sea lions crashing into the chaos, whales showing up out of nowhere. Baja’s sardine run isn’t gentle — it’s fast, loud, and completely unpredictable. And once a year, for a few weeks, we go looking for it.

Oct – Dec Temporada
6 days Duración
Max 6 guests
Desliza
Pacific Ocean· Striped Marlin· Sardine Run· Magbay· Baja California Sur· Feeding Frenzy· Pacific Ocean· Striped Marlin· Sardine Run· Magbay· Baja California Sur· Feeding Frenzy·

The Expedition

The Wildest
Hunt

Pacific Ocean · Magbay · 6 Days

Every year, for a few weeks, sardines gather by the millions off the coast of Magbay — and everything that hunts them follows. Striped marlins slash through the bait balls in perfect sync, sea lions charge in from every side, and sometimes a whale shows up to feed on the whole chaos at once. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it never happens the same way twice.

Six days on the water, small groups only, with a marine biologist reading the ocean alongside you every single day.

Striped marlin hunting bait ball, Magbay
Two Ways To Go

Choose Your Experience

Same hunt, same ocean — two completely different ways to live it. Pick the one that fits you.

Expedición Marlin

Regular

Based in town, multiple dates through the season.

$49,000 MXN / person

Multiple dates · Oct – Dec 2026

  • 6 days · 4 days on the water
  • Based in San Carlos town
  • 5 noches de hospedaje
  • Breakfast & lunch included
  • Guía certificada y bióloga marina
  • Máx 6 personas
Once A Year

The Island Special

With ocean photographer @kylamclay · Isla Magdalena

$59,000 MXN / person

One date only · Dec 12–17, 2026

  • 6 days · 4 days on the water
  • Based on remote Isla Magdalena
  • 5 noches de hospedaje
  • All meals included, dinners too
  • Professional photo & video by Kyla McLay
  • Max 6 guests · intimate group
What Makes This Trip

Why People Choose This Expedition

8+
Expert-Led

Aventura Guiada por Expertos

Every day is guided by a marine biologist and freediving expert with over 8 years of experience in these waters — deep local knowledge means you understand what you’re seeing, and why it matters.

Biodiversity

Explosive Marine Wildlife

Marlins and sea lions usually steal the show, but dorados, sailfish, and even Bryde’s whales sometimes crash the party. No two days on the water look the same.

Logistics

Nosotros planeamos, Tú Disfrutas

Transportation, meals, accommodation, and daily ocean days — fully handled. You just show up ready to be in the water.

The Spectacle

Front Row Seat To Nature’s Show

Bait balls, marlins slashing through in perfect sync, sea lions charging in — one of the most explosive wildlife events in the Pacific, and you’re right there in the water.

Island Special Only

Captured By A Pro

On the Island Special date, @kylamclay documents the whole trip — pro photo & video included, no extra cost. Not included on Regular dates.

The Details

Trip Logistics

Día 1

Arrival & Welcome

Our team picks you up at the airport and drives you to San Carlos. Check in, meet your marine biologist guide for a full briefing, and get ready — the hunt starts tomorrow.

Days 2–5

Ocean Days

Four full days on the water, 8–10 hours each, scanning the horizon for bait balls, marlins, and whatever else shows up. We return to shore before sunset to rest and recharge for the next day.

Día 6

Despedida

Breakfast, then group transfer back to the airport.

Incluido

  • 5 nights accommodation in San Carlos
  • Daily breakfast
  • Lunch on the boat during ocean days
  • 4 days on the water (8–10 hours each)
  • Group airport transfers
  • Marine biologist guide throughout
  • Taxes

Not Included

  • International flights
  • All dinners
  • Wetsuit / freediving gear
  • Gratuities
  • Travel / medical insurance
  • Professional photo & video

You’ll stay in a comfortable hotel in the town of San Carlos. Easy access to restaurants and everyday amenities, a few minutes away from where the boats leave each morning.

This is the town-based version of the trip: same ocean, same hunt.

In town Restaurants nearby Easy access
Día 1

Arrival & Crossing

Our team picks you up at the airport and drives you to San Carlos. From there, a 20-minute boat ride takes you to Isla Magdalena. Check in, dinner, and a full expedition briefing with Kyla and your marine biologist guide.

Days 2–5

Ocean Days

Four full days on the water, 8–10 hours each, hunting for bait balls and marlins with Kyla documenting the whole thing. We return to the island before sunset for dinner and to recharge. On one day, weather permitting, we explore the island’s mangroves and dunes.

Día 6

Despedida

Breakfast, boat back to San Carlos, then group transfer to the airport.

Incluido

  • 5 nights accommodation on Isla Magdalena
  • All meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • Roundtrip boat to the island
  • 4 days on the water (8–10 hours each)
  • Group airport transfers
  • Marine biologist guide throughout
  • Professional photo & video by Kyla McLay
  • Taxes

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Wetsuit / freediving gear
  • Gratuities
  • Bebidas alcohólicas
  • Travel / medical insurance

You’ll stay in a cozy beachfront hotel on Isla Magdalena — a remote island with its own restaurant, air conditioning, hot water, and Starlink wifi. Each room has two queen beds and an en-suite bathroom.

Far from any town, this is the peace and immersion of a remote nature-based stay, with the comfort of a real hotel. It’s also closer to the marlin area, saving us around 90 min boat drive each day.

Remote island En-suite bathroom AC & Starlink wifi Own restaurant
Traveler Reviews

What People Say

Real reviews from travelers who’ve joined us out on the hunt.

Reserve Your Spot

Pricing & Availability

Regular
$49,000 MXN / person
Multiple dates · Oct–Dec 2026
Island Special
$59,000 MXN / person
One date only · Dec 12–17, 2026
Is This For You?

Who This Trip Is For

Comfortable in Open Water

No freediving certification needed — but you should be a confident swimmer, at ease in deep open ocean with fast-moving action around you.

Ready For Fast, Chaotic Action

This isn’t a slow, gentle swim. Bait balls move fast and marlins move faster — you need to keep up and stay calm in the middle of it.

Open to Anything

Some days the ocean explodes with action, some days it’s quiet. Wildlife encounters vary, and that unpredictability is part of the magic.

Ready for Long Days at Sea

This isn’t a day trip — it’s 8 to 10 hours on the water, day after day. Bring your stamina; the payoff is worth it.

Good to Know

Preguntas Frecuentes

The Trip
The difference lies in where we stay, and what’s included. Regular stays in the town of San Carlos, with multiple dates through the season, no dinners included and limited to gopro videos included. The Island Special stays on remote Isla Magdalena (in nature instead of town, and saves us 90 min each day on boat transfers), includes all meals (dinners too), and has ocean photographer @kylamclay documenting the whole trip: professional photo & video included, no extra cost. It only runs once a year, Dec 12–17.
No certification is required. Our expedition is open to snorkelers and freedivers alike. Most of the action stays very close to the surface. You do need to feel comfortable swimming in open water where you won’t see the bottom, and ready for long days at sea.
The most common are sardine or mackerel bait balls, striped marlin, sea lions, dolphins, turtles, skipjack tuna and sea birds. Mid November to December we see humpback whales more often. We occasionally see Bryde’s whales feeding on bait balls, mobulas, and coyotes on the beach. More rare sightings are orcas, sailfish, wahoo, dorado (mahi mahi), and blue whales. Wildlife is unpredictable, the surprise is part of the magic of encounters offshore.
The season runs roughly October through December. During this window we see the most bait balls and marlin activity, making it the best time for encounters.
This is exclusive to the Island Special date. Kyla shoots underwater, topside, and drone — so you’ll come home with a genuinely varied set of photos and video from the whole trip. That said, the animals always come first: we won’t push for a shot that stresses them out. Whenever conditions and animal behavior allow, she’ll aim to capture you in the water with the action, but that’s not something we can promise on every encounter.
MetricRange
Water temperature22–29°C (71–85°F)
Air temperature16–27°C (60–80°F)
Visibility15–30m (49–100ft)
It gets very chilly in the early morning and afternoon: pack layers, even in the middle of a Baja fall.
Is This Trip Right For You?
It depends. Most of the action happens right at the surface, so freediving and snorkeling both work well here. Your guide reads the situation in real time and lets you know the best approach for each encounter, always with the animals’ wellbeing first.
No, we work with wild animals, and nothing in the ocean is guaranteed. What we can guarantee is the team: an experienced captain and marine biologist guide who know these waters and read conditions in real time. We do everything in our power to put you in the best possible position for incredible encounters.
There’s no bathroom on the boat. All of us, guides included, go in the ocean when needed. The vast majority of guests have zero issue with this once they’re out there.
Good quality mask and snorkel, a 3-5mm wetsuit, freediving fins, reef-safe sun protection, a microfiber towel or poncho towel, dry bag, a reusable water bottle, cash (no card accepted for alcoholic drinks and tips), casual clothes, and warm layers for early morning and evening (socks, long pants, a sweater, windbreaker). We can provide rental gear, but nothing beats having your own snorkel gear that fits you perfectly.
Booking & Logistics
The Regular expedition has multiple dates through late October–December. Check the calendar when you click “Book Now” to see what’s open. The Island Special only runs once, December 12–17, 2026. For private groups with special requirements, send us an email.
Yes. We offer private expeditions with flexible schedules and personalized itineraries. Contact us for details on tailoring your own custom Marlin experience.
Reserve your spot with a deposit through the Book Now button. See our Términos y Condiciones for cancellation policy.

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