3 or 4-Day Trip
Pick Up From Hotel
Unique Experience
SWIM ALONGSIDE UNDERWATER WILDLIFE ON THE MEXICAN SARDINE RUN
Witness a truly magical event, the marlins herding shoals of sardines in Magdalena Bay. Get in the water and have a front-row seat to see these magnificent creatures at work. You’ll see sea lions and marlins work together to direct the fish as the birds hunt from above — the sea comes alive with action. Stay on Magdalena Island and feel the magic of this beautiful location. The Stripped Marlin activity is seasonal and can be seen from October 20th to December 20th.
Highlights
Swim with marlins, mahi mahi and sometimes even Bryde’s Whales feeding from the sardine run!
Observe sea lions and numerous species of birds.
Explore activities on the magnificent Magdalena Island.
Stay in Casa Tavo, your island accommodation.
3-day Trip Details
Sardine Run Private Tour
Price
Price depends on quote.
Departure time
Arranged upon booking
Meeting point
Pick up from your accommodation in Los Cabos, Todos Santos, or La Paz.
Availability
Monday — Sunday, October 20th – December 20th
Duration
4 days, 3 nights
Max Group size
Up to 8 pax.
Participation requirements
- Age restriction – all participants must be aged 15 years and above (Underage articipants need to have a signed release form from their parents
- You need to be a confident swimmer.
- If it is a windy day (over 15 mph) the activity has to be rescheduled or substituted for another activity.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Not suitable for people with back problems.
- Not suitable for expectant mothers.
- Not suitable for people with serious medical conditions.
- Certain activities have age limits but we always have an activity available for younger children.
- Each participant will be required to fill out a waiver before the expedition, the waiver can be found here.
Included
- Choose between 2 full days of Sardine Run Expedition or 1 full day of Sardine Run Expedition with 1 day of Dunes, Mangroves & Ocean Encounter
- Accommodation in Tavo’s house
- Meals
- Belts and lead weights
- Snorkel gear
- Bilingual Magbay Expeditions Staff
- All local park and entry fees
- Local motorized vehicle (car or boat)
- Refreshments and snacks
Not included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine is available with dinner at no extra cost)
About your Staff
- Magbay Certified Captain and Magbay Expeditions Staff
Good To Know
The non-extractive activities of observation and swimming with striped marlin (Kajikia audax) are subject to the rules established in a management plan and code of conduct.
Permitted activities:
- Swimming with bait balls where the following are present: striped marlin (kajikia audax), sardines, sea lions, whales, or other pelagic species.
- Use of equipment to capture underwater footage or images, including the use of lights or flash.
- Use of equipment to capture aerial footage or images, including drones.
Prohibited activities:
- Consuming alcohol or drugs while participating in these activities.
- The disposal of any article to the sea.
- Not following the captain’s rules.
- Swimmers must never attempt to touch or have any type of physical contact with marine life.
- Sudden movements and noises that could drive away any nearby animal.
Sardine Run Private Tour
Price
Price depends on quote.
Departure time
Arranged upon booking
Meeting point
Pick up from your accommodation in Los Cabos, Todos Santos, or La Paz.
Availability
Monday — Sunday, October 20th – December 20th
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Max Group size
Up to 8 pax.
Participation requirements
- Age restriction – all participants must be aged 15 years and above (Underage articipants need to have a signed release form from their parents)
- You need to be a confident swimmer.
- If it is a windy day (over 15 mph) the activity has to be rescheduled or substituted for another activity.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Not suitable for people with back problems.
- Not suitable for expectant mothers.
- Not suitable for people with serious medical conditions.
- Certain activities have age limits but we always have an activity available for younger children.
- Each participant will be required to fill out a waiver before the expedition, the waiver can be found here.
Included
- 1 full day of Sardine Run Expedition
- Accommodation in Tavo’s house
- Meals
- Belts and lead weights
- Snorkel gear
- Bilingual Magbay Expeditions Staff.
- All local park and entry fees
- Local motorized vehicle (car or boat)
- Refreshments and snacks
Not included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine is available with dinner at no extra cost)
About your Staff
- Magbay Certified Captain and Magbay Expeditions Staff
Good To Know
The non-extractive activities of observation and swimming with striped marlin (Kajikia audax) are subject to the rules established in a management plan and code of conduct.
Permitted activities:
- Swimming with bait balls where the following are present: striped marlin (kajikia audax), sardines, sea lions, whales, or other pelagic species.
- Use of equipment to capture underwater footage or images, including the use of lights or flash.
- Use of equipment to capture aerial footage or images, including drones.
Prohibited activities:
- Consuming alcohol or drugs while participating in these activities.
- The disposal of any article to the sea.
- Not following the captain’s rules.
- Swimmers must never attempt to touch or have any type of physical contact with marine life.
- Sudden movements and noises that could drive away any nearby animal.
What You'll Do
Swimming among marlins is not a well-kept secret anymore. Watching the animals come alive, hunting on hundreds of thousands of sardines along with sea lions, seagulls, pelicans, and frigate birds is like witnessing a perfect symphony of life just under the surface of the sea. Marlins and sea lions coordinate to push the giant bait balls of sardines to the surface and hunt on them one by one while seabirds participate in the feast from above.
Observe the elegant dance of the striped marlins and mahi mahi from beneath the water’s surface together with their marine partners. Local fishermen now know that there is more profit in taking people to swim with them than fishing them. As Octavio, our local captain, tells us: “We used to kill marlins and sharks, but now we protect them because we’ve learned that they are much more valuable alive”.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular marine show as many times as possible while having the privilege of staying on Magdalena Island in a tiny fishing village to experience the old Baja lifestyle at its best. Far away from city noises, lights, and distractions. Occasionally, we can get lucky and see some mako, silky, or hammerhead sharks too.
What to Bring
- Wetsuit (3-5mm highly recommended, available for rent upon request)
- Mask, fins, snorkel (we will provide with basic gear)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Passport or INE
- Proof of dive and travel insurance ( we recommend World Nomads(opens in a new tab) for travel insurance and DAN(opens in a new tab) for dive insurance)
- Sunblock SPF 30+ (reef-friendly is mandatory)
- Spending money for personal expenses
- Insect repellent
- Hat, buff, and polarized sunglasses
- Layers of clothes (for the Pacific breeze)
- Rain jacket
- Bathing suit
- Dry bag
- Beach towel
- T-shirts and shorts
- Sweatshirt and long pants
- Warm, waterproof jacket
- Sandals or shoes that can get wet
- A canteen or water bottle
- Any special foods or medications (seasickness tablets, waterproof bandaids for fin sores, electrolytes)
- Camera topside and/or underwater protection
- Spare batteries for headlamps, cameras, etc.
- SD cards
- USB stick
