Hey all....I have a gap in fall of 26 and I want to hit Magdalena Bay. Any recs on dive companies and timing? Is the liveaboard that much better or could I do something shore based and get a similar experience? I may already be too late for 2026 liveaboards though.

I just went to Magdalena Bay in mid-November with Nautilus. Highly recommended to book with them. They are the best and most reliable. I think the peak season is October to February if I recall. We had amazing action and adventure during my week.

Hi, due to short time cancellation (less then 1 day before departure) of our liveaboard (planned Magbay & Socorro) we reorganized our Mexico trip and dived La Paz, MagBay & Cabo Pulmo landbased end October/beginning November.

MagBay diving from Puerto san Carlos is possible but quite exhausting. You will leave early morning 06.-07.00 am and will be back arround 04-05.00 pm. Ride to the Sardine spots arround 2-3 hours depending on waves/weather condition. We stayed arround 4-5 hours at the supposed sardine rn area to find action spots.

We booked our own boat so we were independet & we were able to choose most of the times spots just for us.

San Carlos has 2 diving operators but the thing at MagBay is to snorkel. No fun to put on diving equipment and get in/out of the water xxxxxx- times per day. Even things happen very fast so you must be quick in the water. So no diving operators necessary just tour operators organizing a suitible boat with good skipper knows were the action takes place.

Puerto san Carlos has a wide range of reasonable accomodation. Good food/restaurants are also widely available.

Preparing current trip report so there will be more infos & photos, but will take some time. Any Question just let me know.

Br Markus