Bahia Magdalena, more commonly called Mag Bay, is one of the three large bays
on Baja's Pacific coast where the whales go each year to mate and give birth
from late December through March. But there's much more going on in Mag Bay
than just whales. The bay is also known for its good fishing and the port
city of San Carlos plays host to many different fishing and tourist operations.
The smaller areas of the bay on the northern end have recently been discovered
for their excellent kayaking, and now flycast fisherpeople (men and women)
are discovering the pure joy of saltwater fly fishing in these protected northern
bays.
On the Pacific side of Mag Bay there is a whole different agenda going on. Sailors
have been using the protected waters of Bahia Santa Maria as a gunk hole for
years and this northern bay is truly a special part of the Baja unspoiled wilderness.
On the north end of Santa Maria Bay surfers have discovered an excellent right
break off the tip at Punta Hughes. The difficult access and lack of facilities
keeps the crowds away.
San Carlos offers small hotels, markets, good restaurants, one trailer park, a
Pemex station and an ice factory. For more information you can contact Mag Bay
Tours.
Magdalena Bay is located due west of Ciudad Constitution, about 30 miles west of
Baja Highway One.
If you want to see what a real Baja fishing operation looks like head out towards the pier at the very west end of the road that goes to San Carlos. It's not a pretty picture but this is the real life of many of Baja's professional fishermen. Tons of freshly caught fish are unloaded from dozens of rusty boats, and fishermen who have been out at sea for days or weeks at a time can be seen working their catch. It's all very interesting and very smelly.
San Carlos is a fishing town and Gringos only stop here to use the services necessary to get out on the bay. There are no significant tourist facilities except for one small hotel which has a decent tropical feeling restaurant.
Baja aficionados who want to experience a unique piece of Baja will head northwest over the sand bar that creates Mag Bay to the beautiful bay of Santa Maria. This bay serves as a great place for sailors heading up or down the coast to hole up overnight or during a storm, and the waves that sneak into the north end of the bay at Punta Hughes offer excellent surfing. Inside Magdalena Bay the north section is a good place for kayaking, especially the estuary. Watch for whales between January and March!
Magdalena Bay is one of the three main bays on the west coast of Baja where the California Gray whales visit from January through March. Although the bays of Guerrero Negro and Laguna San Ignacio to the north are more commonly visited, Magdalena Bay also plays host to the wonderful mammals, especially near the port town of Puerto Morelos. For more information visit the WHALE WATCHING section of Baja Expo.
Telephone 011-52 (512) 263-5185.
Telephone (208) 765-3116.
MAGDALENA BAY - SAN CARLOS, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO
YOUR FIRST STOP IN TOWN
THE GRINGO FACTOR
THE BEST OF MAGDALENA BAY
CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP:
MAGDALENA BAY SPORTS AND ADVENUTES
E-mail: magbaysports@hotmail.com.
Web site: under construction.
Offering fishing adventures in Magdalena Bay.
5 boats and 15 years of experience.
May Bay, mangrove and open ocean fishing.
They provide all of the necessary fishing tackle.
Ann Finch your hostess!
SEA KAYAK ADVENTURES
Toll free (800) 616-1943.
Fax (208) 765-5254.
Web site: www.seakayakadventures.com.
Offering whale watching tours in Magdalena Bay.
Also offering Sea kayak tours in the Bay of Loreto National Marine Park.
Your hosts Terry Prichard and Nancy Mertz at your service.
Check out their web site for additional information!