Explorer’s Log: Into the Sardine Run

Day 3: Waking Up to Adventure

5:30 AM
There’s something special about waking up in a small coastal village like Puerto San Carlos. The air smells fresh, a mix of ocean breeze and adventure. Today, our third day on the Sardine Run expedition, felt different—there was a buzz among the crew, a quiet anticipation that something incredible was on the horizon. After a quick breakfast, we gathered our gear and headed to the docks. The sea, seemed to be calling us.

7:00 AM
As we boarded the boat, the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was eager, hopeful for a day that would surpass even the wild encounters we’d had the previous two days. The water was calm, the sun beginning to break through the clouds, casting a golden glow over Magdalena Bay. The captain started the engines, and we cut through the water. We were hunting for baitballs—massive swarms of sardines—and the predators that follow them. The plan was simple: locate the chaos, dive in, and witness one of nature’s greatest shows.

Finding the Baitball

10:30 AM
After hours of searching, dolphins suddenly appeared—first a few, then a whole pod. They were leaping through the air, as if celebrating the feast that awaited. Then, we saw it. A dark, swirling mass beneath the surface—the baitball! My heart raced. This was what we’d been waiting for.

Within moments, the ocean around us exploded into life. Marlins darted through the water like silver spears, while sea lions twisted and turned with acrobatic grace. Above us, frigate birds and pelicans dived, plucking sardines from the surface with pinpoint accuracy. But the real spectacle was below. We grabbed our masks and fins, and with a quick splash, we were in the water.

Diving Into Chaos

11:00 AM
Underwater, the scene was surreal. Thousands of sardines moved as one, a shimmering silver wall that twisted and swirled in perfect harmony. Suddenly, a marlin shot through the baitball, scattering the sardines like glittering confetti. I could feel the pulse of the ocean, the sheer energy of the chase. Sea lions darted past us, their agility breathtaking, while dolphins herded the sardines with strategic precision. It was chaos and beauty all at once.

But then—just when I thought it couldn’t get any better—a shadow loomed in the distance. The crew above shouted, "Whale!" I turned just in time to see a humpback whale glide effortlessly into the scene, its mouth open wide as it scooped up an enormous mouthful of sardines. At that moment, I felt like I was in a documentary narrated by David Attenborough himself—every detail unfolding with such perfect timing and grace that it felt almost unreal.

The Best Day

1:00 PM
The rest of the day was a cycle of searching, finding, and dipping into the ocean. Each time we thought we’d seen it all, another wave of predators appeared—marlins, sharks, and even manta rays. Every moment felt like a scene crafted for Attenborough’s voiceover, the ocean displaying its raw, untamed magnificence. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the action slowly began to subside, and the baitball, now scattered, started to disappear into the blue. Reluctantly, we climbed back onto the boat, exhausted but exhilarated.

4:00 PM
Back at the hotel, we took time to unwind. I sat on the balcony, looking out at the bay, replaying the day’s events in my head. There was a stillness now, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the morning. Dinner that evening was full of laughter and shared stories—each of us recounting our personal encounters with ocean giants. It was the kind of day that makes you feel alive, reminding you of the power and beauty of the natural world.

7:00 PM
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Days like this—where everything aligns and the ocean reveals its full majesty—are rare. It’s the reason we come out here, to experience the extraordinary, to witness firsthand the delicate balance of life beneath the waves. And today, we did just that.

8:00 PM
I lay down that night with a deep sense of contentment. The sound of the waves outside my window lulled me to sleep, and I drifted off knowing that today was, without a doubt, one of the best days of my life.

This is what the Sardine Run is all about—raw, untamed nature at its finest. If you’re lucky enough to experience a day like today, you’ll never see the ocean the same way again.