• 5 full days on the water with striped marlin, sea lions and other marine life
• 6 nights safari-style camp accommodation on Magdalena Island (shared)
• All breakfast, packed lunches and dinners
• Experienced local captain and crew
• Photography masterclasses and in-water guidance with Karim Iliya
• Professional trip photos from Karim (shared post-trip)
• Overland and boat transfers from La Paz to Magdalena Island and return
• Small group of 5 guests maximum

Optional extra: private tent (single supplement - contact us for pricing)

• Flights to and from Baja California (La Paz or San José del Cabo airports)
• Snorkelling gear (bring your own mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit)
• Camera equipment
• Travel and in-water insurance (mandatory - see below)
• Alcoholic drinks and personal extras
• Optional activities outside the trip itinerary
  
  Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, and weather and ocean conditions can vary. Some activities may be affected by factors outside our control.

All in-water encounters on this trip follow strict guidelines to ensure they're ethical and non-disruptive. The group never chases or pursues wildlife - Karim and the crew position the boat and allow the animals to dictate what happens next. This is open-ocean snorkelling, not a curated tank experience - and that's precisely what makes it extraordinary. The boat is always close by and the crew monitors conditions throughout. You need to be a confident snorkeller in open water, but you don't need to be an elite swimmer.

The trip centres on the sardine run off Magdalena Bay - one of the most dramatic predator feeding events in the ocean. The primary focus is striped marlin, sea lions and sardine bait balls, with seabirds including pelicans, cormorants, ospreys and frigatebirds commonly seen. Dolphins and rays are regularly encountered, and occasionally the group crosses paths with orcas, humpbacks, whale sharks and other pelagic species. Sightings of any species cannot be guaranteed - that's what makes this wild.

Each day is different. The waters off Magdalena Bay are home to striped marlin, sea lions and a variety of other marine life during the sardine run. Encounters may be brief - a flash of marlin in the blue - or longer, with bait balls forming and predators feeding all around you. All interactions are on the animals' terms, and the group follows strict in-water guidelines to keep every encounter ethical and respectful.

In November, water temperatures are typically 27 to 29°C with visibility averaging 10 to 15 metres - excellent conditions for in-water wildlife photography. A 3 to 5mm wetsuit is recommended for comfort over long sessions in the water. On the surface, the Pacific coast of Baja has a mild, arid-subtropical climate. Expect air temperatures of around 33°C during the day and 22°C at night, though it can feel cooler on the water due to wind and open-ocean exposure.

You'll need to bring your own mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit - no gear is provided or available for hire on this trip. If you need advice on what to bring, our team is happy to help. For photography, bring whatever camera setup you're most comfortable with. Underwater housings, wide-angle lenses and fast memory cards are worth investing in if you're serious about capturing the encounters. Karim will provide guidance throughout. A laptop with Adobe Lightroom is useful if you want to work on editing during the trip.

Safari-style tents on Magdalena Island - clean, comfortable and well-suited to the remote setting. Shared occupancy is standard; private tent upgrades may be available on request. All meals are included: breakfast at camp each morning, packed lunches and snacks on the boat, and dinners together in the evenings. Let the team know about any dietary requirements or allergies before you arrive.

Fly into La Paz International Airport (LAP) or Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). The trip starts and ends in La Paz, with all overland and boat transfers to Magdalena Island included from there.

Visas are not required for citizens of the US, UK or EU. All other nationalities should check their individual entry requirements before booking. Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date and check the latest official health advice for travel to Mexico before departure.

Yes, and comprehensive in-water coverage is mandatory for this trip. Your policy must cover open-ocean snorkelling activities, medical expenses and emergency evacuation. Do not book without it.

Every Airguides expedition has two leaders: an Airguides trip leader who handles logistics and keeps everything running smoothly, and a storyteller guide - in this case Karim Iliya - who brings world-class underwater photography expertise and deep knowledge of pelagic wildlife behaviour to every day on the water. The trip also runs with an experienced local captain and dedicated crew who know these waters intimately.

This is one of the smallest groups Airguides runs - just 5 guests maximum. You'll travel with Karim Iliya, an Airguides trip leader, and a small group of people drawn together by a love of ocean wildlife.

Yes. Solo travellers can request a private tent for an additional fee. We may also be able to pair solo travellers in shared tents on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact us for details and availability.

Yes. Our team can help with flight options and travel routing from La Paz or San José del Cabo. Call, text or WhatsApp us at +61 402 552 918. You'll speak directly with an Airguides team member who knows this trip inside out. We're here for any questions, big or small, from planning your adventure to arriving back home.