Magdalena Bay Big Fish
The most adrenaline packed wildlife action the Pacific Ocean has to offer: striped marlin, sealions, whales, orcas and shark - all hunting migrating sardines.
$1495 pp/ Dbl Occ
- INCLUDES 4 NIGHTS HOTEL, TRANSPORTATION FROM LA PAZ, 3 DAYS ON WATER, 1 GUIDE PER 6 PEOPLE, BOTTLE OF ADRENALINE.
The Trip
3 DAYS OF WATER ACTION
Magdalena Bay sits 5 hours north of Cabo on the Baja Peninsula. A sleepy little area, where, in October and November, sardines gather offshore in huge baitballs. It's long been a destination for the trophy marlin crowd, catching monster marlin within moments of throwing their line in the water.
But recently, enterprising boat owners have figured out that it's easier to take adrenaline seeking water lovers to chase the sardine balls than the work of the sport fishing crowd.
Each morning, at the break of dawn, we'll set out on our boat to find the baitballs. As our boat speeds 2 hours out, we'll be joined in the race by humpbacks, sealions and dolphins - all heading just outside the sheltered bay to the sea, to find the baitballs.
The skilled captain will move the boat in front of a baitball - we'll be ready to get in the water - then, "JUMP, JUMP, JUMP" the guide will yell - and we'll be in the water with all of the action.
Now, baitballs are constantly in motion (if they weren't, they wouldn't last long in the feasting) so the adrenaline packed action will only last for 10-15 minutes before the baitball will coordinate, dissolve and move away. Then we'll climb back on the boat and head off in search of the next ball.
In nature, there are no guarantees of quantity of baitballs or who shows up to the table. What we know is that whales, orcas, marlin, dolphin, mako sharks and sealions are all predators that enjoy the snack.
Why 3 days instead of 5? These will be the most physically draining days you ever spend in the water. Jump, swim, back paddle away from the fish, back up on boat, choppy water, jump again. Honestly, three days won't be nearly enough AND will be all that you can handle at the same time.
After we'll feast at a local restaurant (dinner not included in package) and CRASH in bed.
Wake up, rinse and repeat.
Read about the experience here: https://divemagazine.com/scuba-diving-travel/americas-caribbean/hunting-with-striped-marlin-in-baja-california
PLEASE NOTE; This experience is considered an extreme adventure. This is a predatory species and the animals do get close. The sardines sometimes use divers for protection and will try and hide underneath us. The bolder marlin do not care and will swim up to us to try and catch them.
