The Sardine Run in Mexico

Marlins.

Dozens of them.

Feeding on a huge ball of sardines.

Visibility is 100+ feet (30+ meters) and the water temp is around 80 F / 27 C.

There’s only one place in the world where you can experience this and it’s only a 2-hour flight from the US.

It’s called Magdalena Bay, and even the most experienced divers are just starting to know about it.

It was only a few years ago that researchers identified the peak location along the southern part of Baja where the sardines spawn, lay eggs, hatch, and mature:

Protected from the Pacific Ocean by the uninhabited sandy barrier islands of Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita, Magdalena Bay spans along the western coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.

By autumn, the sardines have matured enough to attract large predators such as bonitos, striped marlins, Pacific sailfish, sea lions, and even Bryde’s whales.

The highlight for most is watching the marlins on the prowl.

Reaching speeds of 50-mph (80-kph), these stealth bombers of the the sea work the baitball to separate individual sardines from the tight silvery mass.

What makes this experience so unique is it’s extremely rare to see marlins snorkeling or diving because they quickly swim away at the sight of a human. But when they are hunting sardines, the marlins are so focused on hunting that they barely notice people.

The Mexican Sardine Run - as divers are starting to call it, is not just an adventure; it’s one of the ocean's most thrilling spectacles.

Why Magdalena Bay?

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

• 100 ft + visibility is simply unbeatable.

• Only a 2-hour flight from the U.S.

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

How to Swim the Mexican Sardine Run

The Mexican Sardine Run only happens from October to January.

The place is still under the radar as not many people know about it. But it won’t be like that for very long.

Every year, as more and more people are discovering this Sardine Run, prices are going up and so are the crowds.

It’s one of those places that is better to go now before it gets too popular.

The nearest town, San Carlos, is not huge so hotels are modest and there are not many of them. Spaces on the boats are limited, and the prime season is short. Tours sell out months in advance, so you really need to book early.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more and see what is like to dive the Mexican Sardine Run, here are some links you can check out:

• Mexico’s Sardine Run (article)

• Dive the Sardine Run in Baja California (video)

• Return of the Marlin (video)