Mexican Sardine Run

The Mexican Sardine Run in Magdalena Bay, Baja Peninsula, offers a unique opportunity to swim with striped marlins and other predators like bonitos, Pacific sailfish, sea lions, and Bryde’s whales. With 100+ feet visibility and 80°F water, this spectacle occurs only from October to January.

The bay, protected by Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita, is where sardines spawn and attract large predators. The highlight is watching marlins hunt sardines, a rare sight as they usually avoid humans.

The Sardine Run is gaining popularity, with tours selling out months in advance. The nearest town, San Carlos, offers modest accommodations. Nautilus Gallant Lady’s 8-day liveaboard trips provide a hassle-free way to experience this event, but spaces are limited, so early booking is essential.

There are many reasons to go diving the Mexican Sardine Run, but here are the top ones:

1. The only place in the world where you can swim with striped marlins.

2. 100 ft + visibility is simply unbeatable.

3. Possibility of seeing other predators like Bryde whales, sailfish, humpback whales, and orcas.

Day 1

Meet at SeeCreatures Cabo for 4:30 pm. Board and set sail up the beautiful coast of Baja California. Our destination, the sheltered waters and outer Islands of Magdalena Bay sardine run.


Day 2

Begin with 3 dives south end of Margarita Island, including sea lions and the remains of a steamship that sunk in the early 1900’s.


Days 3 – 6

Let’s find some bait balls and get in the water with striped marlin! This is a cooperative eco-tourism program with local pangas and highly knowledgeable captains. Nobody does a better job at finding bait balls than Captain G and his family and friends. Spend as much or as little time as you want on the water each day. The more time, the more striped marlin encounters. Scuba diving is definitely on the agenda on this trip. Magdalena Bay is loaded with life this time of year, and aside from the marlin, you might also spot whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks and sea lions. Don’t forget to check out the mangroves and gorgeous sand dunes. We will have kayaks and SUPs ready for you.


Day 7

Last day at Magdalena Bay. End with 3 more dives including the wreck of a WW1 submarine and more sea lions!


Day 8

8:30am, enjoy one more breakfast before disembarking at SeeCreatures Cabo.

This tour is provided by Nautilus Liveaboards.

The Nautilus Gallant Lady is a 116 foot yacht that accommodates small groups of 12 divers in 6 large suites. This beautiful boat combines the luxury of a yacht with the thoughtful design of a dive deck built for divers. The yacht features a main lounge and dining room with wrap-around view, large water level platform, sky lounge, sun deck and even a crow’s nest. With 1700 horsepower Caterpillar engines and hydraulic stabilizers, the Lady can speed you wherever you want to go in great comfort.