Marlins and Cetaceans Expedition in Magdalena Bay

Magdalena Bay

From USD 1568/person

Description

Every autumn, the offshore waters of Bahía Magdalena host a breathtaking hunting spectacle. Massive bait balls of sardines and mackerel attract striped marlins, sea lions, mahi-mahi, dolphins, sharks, and seabirds in a synchronized dance of survival rarely seen by humans.

Based in Puerto San Carlos, you’ll spend five days with three full Ocean Safari days, plus magical moments like visiting wild dunes, sea lion colonies, and Isla de Patos at sunrise, where thousands of birds welcome the first light. You’ll be guided by a Gluup coordinator, expert guides, and local captains throughout the journey.

On day one, you’ll join the group for a welcome dinner and briefing with your coordinator to prepare for the experience. This expedition gives you front-row access to one of the Pacific’s most spectacular marine events while promoting respectful and sustainable tourism.

Key Points

Max: Up to 7 persons

Duration: 5 d

Guide language: Spanish, English

What's Included

  • Roundtrip ground transportation from hotel or airport in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas
  • All ground transport throughout the expedition
  • 3 full Ocean Safari days (approx. 8 hrs/day, weather dependent)
  • Exploration of dunes, sea lion colonies, and Isla de Patos at sunrise (within safari days)
  • 4 nights in Puerto San Carlos
  • Daily breakfast and lunch in San Carlos
  • Snacks, water, and soft drinks onboard
  • Local captain and professional guide
  • Full-time Gluup coordinator during the expedition
  • Welcome dinner + trip briefing on day one

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome and transfer to San Carlos

Your Gluup coordinator will meet you at your hotel or airport in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. Together we’ll head to Puerto San Carlos. That evening, we’ll have a welcome dinner and full trip briefing to get to know your group and answer any questions.

Days 2, 3, and 4: Ocean Safari and coastal exploration

Each morning, we’ll set out for a full day on the ocean—searching for bait balls, striped marlins, sea lions, dolphins, mahi-mahi, and more. On one of the days, we’ll visit the towering dunes of Bahía Magdalena for photos and rest. We’ll also explore sea lion colonies and visit Isla de Patos at sunrise, a magical show of thousands of birds welcoming the sun. Activities last about 6–8 hours per day. Afternoons are free to rest.

Day 5: Return to your departure city

After breakfast, we’ll return to La Paz or Cabo San Lucas by land. If flying out the same day, plan your flight for the afternoon.

Where

Pick-up from your hotel or airport in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. We recommend flying into La Paz as it’s the closest airport to Bahía Magdalena. You may arrive the day before or early on the first day (before 1:00 PM). The entire group must start and end the expedition from the same city.

What's Not Included

Flights to La Paz or Los Cabos
Hotel before or after the expedition
Dinners and alcoholic beverages
Personal snorkeling gear
Tips for the crew

Recommendations

We recommend flying into La Paz, the closest airport to Bahía Magdalena
Arrive the day before or early on day 1 (before 1 PM)
Bring swimwear and towel. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially on the boat—bring a light jacket, hoodie, or windbreaker
Biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, and cap
Reusable water bottle
Underwater camera if available
Good physical shape and open-ocean experience

Requirements

- Previous snorkeling or freediving experience
- Good physical condition and confidence in open water
- This expedition may involve long days at sea, sometimes with constant movement in the panga. We recommend it for ocean-experienced guests who feel comfortable on small boats
- Adventurous spirit and respect for marine life
- Expeditions guaranteed with a minimum of 4 participants
- Maximum group size: 7 guests (larger private groups available upon request)

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received more than six months before the trip are fully refundable.

Any cancellation less than six months before the trip will lose a percentage of the total price:

15% if 6 - 4 months before the trip;

25% if 4 - 2 months before the trip;

50% if 2 - 1 months before the trip; and

100% if 30 days or less before departure.

Reserve Your Spot

When

How many people?

Schedule

Reviews

4.98
171 ratings
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1

Excellent customer service, always attentive. The whale shark tour was very well organized and a great success. Great memories.

Marcela Keever

May 2025

Very responsive on what’sapp and gave clear information on the tour and how to get there. The place is very pretty! The tour guide and the boat captain were friendly. We had 4 stops in our snorkel tour as planned. Visibility was not great , but it was still amazing. I hope to go back for scuba diving one day. I also liked that they keep things real: (1) do not try to sell things that may not happen (due to nature), (2) they do not put additional fees - what they tell you is what you pay (very different than other tours I have seen around Los Cabos) One point to highlight is that the boat is small, so if the ocean is rough it may not be the best for people that get sea sickness.

Anna Galvão

May 2025

Incredible how the mobulas look and the entire team is very professional and super friendly.

Karime Lahud

May 2025

From USD 1568/person