Snorkel and Freedive With Bait Balls and Their Predators Off Magdalena Bay Baja California
November 10-16, 2027
This Mexico Sardine Run snorkeling trip is a unique opportunity to snorkel in the Pacific Ocean off Magdalena Bay in Baja California. The main focus of the trip is the bait balls of sardines and mackerels and their predators, namely Striped Marlins. Other predators, like sea lions, dolphins, whales, and sometimes sharks could be spotted, along with migrating species like Humpback Whales and schooling mobula rays.
You will be based in a hotel in San Carlos on the shores of Magdalena Bay on the west coast of Baja California. Each day (up to 8 hours per day), for five days, you will go out into the ocean in small panga-style boats in search of the bait balls. Once you find them you will get in the water to experience the action. You can expect fast-paced activity, repeatedly jumping in and out of the water throughout the day. This is a physically demanding tour, so a reasonable level of physical strength and agility are required.
This seven day trip is being run by our partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts at running amazing snorkel excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world. A guide from Ben’s team will be with your 12 person group for the duration of your trip.
The Mexico Sardine Run Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map
This trip takes place on the Baja California in northwestern Mexico. You will book your international flight into La Paz.
You will be met at the airport in La Paz by staff from the local tour company and transferred by bus to San Carlos on the northern shores of Magdalena Bay.
You will spend six nights at Hotel Alcatraz in San Carlos, going out for five full days of snorkeling.
At the end of your stay you will be transferred back to La Paz, where the tour ends.
What Will the Snorkeling Be Like on This Trip?
Baja California’s Magdalena Bay is home to some of the most incredible animals in the ocean. The warm waters and upwellings bring in huge amounts of baitfish that in turn are hunted by Striped Marlin, California sea lions, dolphins, whales, and sometimes even sharks. While the main focus of the trip is bait balls of sardines and mackerel and the animals predating on them, you may also encounter other migrating species, such as Humpback whales and schooling mobula rays.
The local tour company, Latitude Encounters, is an experienced team of marine biologists, captains, and open ocean experts who specialize in finding pelagic species like the Striped Marlins, so your chances of getting in the middle of the action are at their best.
While hunting, the marlin work together to corral the sardines up to the surface into tight bait balls. The marlins then take turns darting towards the bait balls, 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 behavior that you will be lucky to witness.
The snorkeling days will begin with an early breakfast, then a short transfer to the harbor to board the boats. You can expect to be spending the entire day on the boat, up to eight hours. There are no toilets on the boats. The mornings and evenings are expected to be very cold. The early mornings can be quite cold, so wear your bathing suit under some warm clothes. A cozy sweater or windbreaker and a hat are also useful in the late afternoon for the return trip.
The boat ride is about one hour to the mouth of the bay before you reach the open ocean. At this point you will change into your wetsuit and head out in search of the Magnificent Frigate Birds. The presence of the birds is how your guides locate the bait balls, as they will be diving to the water to try and scoop up fish.
Even though your local guides have incredible knowledge of the marine life here, there can be times when you won’t see anything for anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple of hours, as these pelagic species can be hard to find at times.
These pelagic species can move relatively quickly, so there may be a lot of in and out of the boat via the ladder as the boat is repositioned to get back in the water. This is a physically demanding tour and a reasonable level of physical strength and agility is required.
Your group will be using panga-style boats (the group will be split between two boats). The boats have sun canopies as well as a ladder for exiting the water. Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided on the boat.
What Is Hotel Alcatraz Like?
You will be spending six nights in the small town of San Carlos on the northern shore of Magdalena Bay. San Carlos has all the basic amenities you need and is a safe and friendly area. The roads are unpaved, but the town has a special and authentic flair. There are plenty of beautiful whale murals around town painted by local artists.
Hotel Alcatraz is a quaint and simple hotel with a charming courtyard garden to relax in. The operator and the staff are lovely and very accommodating.
Dinners and breakfasts will be prepared by a private cook every evening and morning. They will be served at their charming outdoor dining room.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
This is a small group trip and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date and Price:
November 10-16, 2027 – Available.
$5450 US per person double occupancy
The initial deposit for this trip is $400 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $600 US per person interim deposit, and at six months there is another $1000 US per person interim deposit. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Inclusions:
- Transfers (La Paz – San Carlos -La Paz)
- 6 nights at a simple hotel in San Carlos with dinners and breakfasts
- 5 days of open ocean snorkeling with lunch and snacks on the boat
- Wetsuits and snorkel equipment, if required
- Local snorkel guides
- Guide from Ben’s team
Exclusions:
- International flight
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Tips
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen and Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben and Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our experience going on some of his snorkeling trips we found them very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. These are premium trips including nearly everything you will need, accommodation, meals, transportation, and more.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips.
Learn More About the Local Tour Company and Hotel
TripAdvisor Reviews of Latitude Encounters
Hotel Alcatraz – San Carlos Mexico