Marlin Expedition
Your Experience
Marlin Expedition is an extraordinary 5-day expedition based in Puerto San Carlos, at the gateway to the wild and productive waters of Magdalena Bay. The Baja California Peninsula is home to some of the ocean’s most incredible wildlife, and Magdalena Bay is a true hotspot of marine activity. Each morning at sunrise, we head out from the bay into the open Pacific in search of one of nature’s most thrilling spectacles. Watching magnificent frigatebirds circle and dive often reveals the presence of sardine bait balls near the surface — a sign that predators are hunting below. When conditions allow, we may enter the water to witness remarkable predator-prey interactions, including striped marlin and mahi mahi displaying incredible hunting techniques around the bait schools. Fast-paced and dynamic, this expedition often includes multiple water entries and quick returns to the boat, making it one of our most action-packed adventures.
The open ocean is beautifully unpredictable, and encounters may also include dolphins, sea lions, and occasionally whales joining the action. Beyond the pelagic excitement, the region offers stunning natural beauty, from sea lion colonies and abundant seabirds to mangrove channels, towering sand dunes, and even coyotes along the shoreline. Designed for ocean lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this immersive multi-day expedition offers a rare opportunity to experience the raw energy, biodiversity, and magic of Magdalena Bay.
Meet the True Protagonist of This Journey
Each year, the waters surrounding Magdalena Bay become the stage for a remarkable wildlife spectacle as striped marlin (Kajikia audax) migrate to the area, drawn by massive schools of sardines. This seasonal abundance creates a rare opportunity to observe these powerful pelagic predators engaged in one of the ocean’s most dynamic hunting events. Working with astonishing precision, marlin herd sardines into dense, shimmering bait balls at the surface, trapping their prey in a coordinated display of strategy and speed. One by one, they take turns charging through the bait, using their elongated bills to slash, stun, or spear fish before circling back to feed.
As the hunt intensifies, the marlins’ electric blue stripes often light up in brilliant flashes — a striking behavior believed to be linked to communication and predatory coordination — adding another layer of wonder to the experience. These feeding frenzies can also attract mahi mahi, seabirds, sea lions, and dolphins, turning the scene into a dramatic multi-species interaction. To witness this raw, untamed display is to experience the open ocean at its most powerful: a mesmerizing encounter with one of nature’s greatest predators in its element.
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Snacks and lunch on the boat
Experienced guide
Weights and weight belts for certified freedivers
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Accommodation in and outside of Magbay (we can assist you with this!)
Airfare
Breakfast and Dinner
Freedive/Snorkel Gear
Gratuity
Travel insurance (Mandatory) Dive Assure
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We recommend to bring strong fins since we will be swimming in open ocean
Wetsuit 5mm
Mask and snorkel
Warm Clothes and Windproof Jacket. MAGBAY CAN BE EXTREMELY COLD YOU NEED A GOOD WINTER JACKET FOR EARLY MORNING BOAT RIDES
Cash. There are ATMs available in SAN CARLOS but they can be unreliable, best to stop before leaving Cabo or La Paz
Hat, Sunglasses, Rashguard
Biodegradable Sunscreen
Camera
Natural Insect Repellent
USB for Photo Sharing
Travel insurance (Mandatory) Dive Assure
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This expedition requires advanced swimming skills and is recommended for confident, experienced swimmers. Open ocean conditions can be dynamic and unpredictable, with currents, swell, and active in-water encounters. Guests should be comfortable snorkeling in open water and prepared for an adventurous, physically active experience.