Mag Bay – The heart of the most rewarding sardine run lays in Mexico

Nestled off the coast of Baja California, Magdalena Bay is a remote destination that comes alive during the annual sardine run. This incredible natural phenomenon, though less renowned than South Africa’s sardine run, offers unforgettable for snorkelers and freedivers seeking adventure and a front-row seat to nature’s drama. To many, Mexico offers the more rewarding experience, as the event is more compact.

 

Witness nature’s feeding frenzy

Magdalena Bay transforms into a hotspot of marine activity each year, where vast schools of sardines attract an impressive array of predators, including marlins, sharks, sea lions, and dolphins. Swimming alongside millions of shimmering sardines as they swirl in dense bait balls, evading their hunters, is an awe-inspiring spectacle. From the rapid strikes of marlins to playful dolphins and curious sea lions, every moment in the water is filled with excitement and unpredictability.

This isn’t just a snorkeling trip; it’s a high-energy, adrenaline-filled encounter that demands stamina and offers memories to last a lifetime. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure with unparalleled wildlife interactions, Mexico’s sardine run is a must.

 

The Mexican sardine run: Timing and phenomena

The sardine run at Magdalena Bay takes place between October and January, with peak activity from late October to December. This is when striped marlins gather in numbers to hunt during the world’s second-largest sardine migration. The nutrient-rich waters off the bay provide the perfect setting for this underwater spectacle.

Unlike traditional scuba diving, the sardine run is best experienced through snorkeling and freediving. These techniques allow for quick movements and prolonged observation of the dynamic bait ball action. Freedivers can even venture deeper to view marlins and other predators hunting from below, providing a unique perspective of the food chain in action.

 

What wildlife can you see?

The sardine run is a breathtaking demonstration of the sardines’ agility and immense numbers, creating a magnet for a diverse range of predators. As these fish congregate in massive schools, they draw an extraordinary variety of marine wildlife:

Marlins

A highlight of the sardine run at Magdalena Bay is the striking presence of striped marlins. These elegant and powerful predators, among the fastest fish in the ocean, wield their sharp bills to slice through bait balls, stunning their prey with precision. Witnessing their swift, calculated movements is a rare and thrilling experience.

Dolphins

Common and bottlenose dolphins play a pivotal role in the sardine run, skillfully corralling schools of sardines into compact bait balls before diving in to feed. Known for their remarkable intelligence, these dolphins often hunt in coordinated teams, showcasing mesmerizing displays of synchronized behavior. Here you can also spot the extremely playful Pacific white-sided dolphins, so do not hesitate to get in the water with them for some close encounters.

Sea Lions

Magdalena Bay’s sea lions are active participants in the hunt, zipping through the water with incredible speed to capture sardines. Frequently seen in large groups, they energetically chase bait balls up and down the water column, feasting as they go.

Sharks

While sharks aren’t as dominant here as in South Africa’s sardine run, Magdalena Bay does attract species like silky sharks. These predators often lurk at the edges of the bait balls or beneath the sardine schools, patiently awaiting their opportunity to strike. When they move in, their swift, coordinated attacks can decimate a bait ball in mere seconds, creating an unforgettable feeding frenzy.

Mobula rays

The sardine run season is also the time when you can see a massive school of mobula rays in the area. Your best chances of finding them is in the early morning, when they are active on the surface and “fly” out of the water making a big splash. 

Mahi-Mahi

Depending on the water temperature at the surface, some seasons the mahi-mahi are present in the area. Typically, the marlins will then stay deeper, where the water is colder. In recent years, mahi-mahi were present in big numbers only in 2023. 

Whales

Magdalena Bay is a premier destination for whale watching, offering opportunities to spot majestic humpbacks, fin whales, and the awe-inspiring blue whale. Occasionally, Bryde’s whales join the action, adding to the spectacle.While whales are not typically central to the feeding frenzy, witnessing these ocean giants feeding on a bait ball is a truly breathtaking experience. As you journey on the dive boat, keep a watchful eye on the horizon—these magnificent creatures frequently pass through the area, breaching and exhaling in dramatic displays at the surface.

 

A typical day at sea during the sardine run in Magdalena Bay

A day at sea during the sardine run is action-packed, ever-changing, and teeming with incredible wildlife encounters. Here’s what you can typically expect:

1. Wake up before dawn – Whether you stay in La Paz or on the Pacific side, your day will start very early. Have everything you need prepared the night before in order to minimise the chances of forgetting something.  
2. A solid breakfast – Even if you are not the breakfast type, make sure you have a good meal before embarking. The last thing you want is to be cold and out of energy on this epic trip. 
3. Be on the boat at sunrise – Our top tip is to already board the boat fully dressed in your wetsuit with all your camera gear tested and ready for action. This will make the difference between missing out on a first stunning encounter, stressing out to find your mask and being the first one in the water.
4. Cruise to the action – It can take anything between an hour and 2,5h to get to the action. Your captain and guide will then be scanning the horizon, looking for big flocks of birds circling close to the surface. This is how you find the sardines!
5. Jump in – Once you find a static baitball, it’s time to enter the water. Ideally, the whole group will stay together and form one line. Like this, you will be out of the animals’ and eachother’s ways. Forming a line will also give everyone an unhindered view of the action, allowing for great photos and videos.
6. Hop in, come out – Be ready to be quick and follow your guide’s instructions swiftly. To get the most out of your day will be jumping in the water and getting back on the boat countless times. The bait balls are not always static, so experiencing a dynamic baitball in the water lasts only a few minutes. Be sure to get back on the boat quickly as your guide instructs you to, so you can follow the action.
   
   
7. Lunch – Depending on how much is going on and whether you need a small rest, you can take your lunch anytime. Be sure to check with your operator what is included in your trip beforehand!
8. Whale watching – To take a rest from the swimming marathon, many operators will take you whale watching towards the end of the day. Mexico does not allow jumping in the water with the whales, but it is still an absolutely spectacular experience to see them breach, blow or lobtail.

 

Insider tips

• Book with reputable guides – this will make all the difference to your experience
• Go out on 3 days – The encounters and conditions are so different from day to day and the experience is so amazing, that if you have travelled to Mexico during sardine run season, you will definitely want to book more than one day. As this is an exhausting experience, we find 3 days on the boat to be the optimal package.
• Fins – consider investing in long-blade or freediving fins. If you want to experience the whole glory of the sardine run, you will want to be agile in the water. Make sure you have the most comfortable pair of fins that can propel you in the water. 
• Socks – Get 1mm neoprene socks. On most boats you will have to take off your shoes to board the boat and the socks will keep your feet warm during the chilly sunrise ride. They will also prevent you from getting blisters from kicking all day. 
• Buff, beanie, cap, polarised sunglasses and a windbreaker with a hood – it can take up to 2 hours to get to the action, so you will want to have your face protected from the sun and wind during the ride. Consider getting a boat jacket, which you can put on on top of your wetsuit.
  
  
• Flexible wetsuit – You will want to be as streamlined as possible for this activity. Apart from swimming with the animals, you will be jumping in the water and getting back on the boat countless times throughout the day. We highly recommend a long suit, as the waters are nutrient rich and the plankton also includes juvenile jellyfish. 
• Weight belt – if you plan on freediving, bring your own weight belt and check in advance where you can borrow weights from (for example, a scuba diving center).
• Motion sickness medication – Even on days where the wind isn’t strong, the open-ocean swell can be challenging. Motion sickness medication can be hard to find on the spot, so best to bring some along with you. 
• Hydration – Bring along electrolyte drinks onboard with you, the exhaustion and dehydration of the trip is often underestimated!
• Snacks – You are quite unlikely to think about food throughout the day, but hunger will definitely kick in once you’re done diving and depending on the conditions, you will still have a way to go back, so pack some snacks for the return ride. 
• Waterproof case for your phone – Capture every moment of the day directly on your smartphone! Whether on the boat or in the water, your phone will always be ready to shoot in the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max PLUS housing!

The revolutionary smartphone housing

There is finally a product, with which you can use your smartphone in the water exactly the same way as on land! DIVEVOLK have developed the first full-touchscreen case on the market, winning product innovation for the membrane technology! The case is waterproof up to 60m/200ft and fits virtually any smartphone brand and model. It is our top pick for any dive and ocean expedition! Discover more about this game-changing case in our full product review!

 

Logistics and FAQs

When’s the best time to go?
Late October to early December is ideal, aligning with the striped marlin migration. 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.

Is it suitable for beginners?
Due to open ocean conditions and the fast-paced nature of the activity, tours are best for experienced swimmers and freedivers. However, non-divers can still enjoy surface-level action, including marlins leaping, sea lions surfacing, and whales breaching.

What is the best time of the day to see the sardine run?

The optimal time to witness the Sardine Run is typically early in the morning when marine predators, such as striped marlin, are at their most active, hunting the sardines. That said, remarkable encounters can happen at any time of the day!

How long do tours last?

Expect to be out the whole day. Boats usually leave at sunrise and are back late afternoon. If you are having a phenomenal day, feel free to tip the captain, so you can spend a few more hours at sea! Typically, you will be back to the port in the late afternoon. 

Can I freedive?
Yes! Freediving offers a thrilling way to immerse yourself in the action, though it requires experience and comfort with open ocean conditions.

Getting to Baja California
The nearest airports are LAP (La Paz), SJD (San Jose del Cabo), and LTO (Loreto).

 

The beauty of Baja California

Magdalena Bay is a gorgeous place to visit just for the pristine beauty, mangroves and giant sand dunes of the outer islands. 

Experience a world spectacle off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico during the short window of the Magdalena Bay sardine run and striped marlin migration. Witness the secret Mexican sardine run where thousands of striped marlin showcase their speed, agility, and swordsmanship as they stun and devour huge bait balls congregating in the Pacific Ocean near Bahia Magdalena. But that’s not all, this feast attracts an abundance of marine life including Bryde’s whales, humpbacks, orcas, sailfish, makos, blue sharks, tuna, dolphins, sea lions, and thousands of sea birds.