Campsites feature 5 raised, level camping platforms built into the hillside, overlooking the bay. Tents are kept dry and clean. Enjoy the spectacular view from the comfort of your own platform as you relax in the warm sun and watch the majesty of a day at the bay unfold. Camping accommodations include private bathrooms and hot showers. Camping platforms are steps from the restaurant and main palapa but are also secluded enough to offer peace, quiet and privacy.
A short walk down a sandy path from your camping platform, a full-service restaurant waits to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Specialties include traditional, Mexican-style pit bar-b-que, fire-grilled fresh caught seafood, fresh handmade tortillas, tacos, burritos and a variety of salsas. A full beverage service is available highlighting the world-renowned wines of Baja California as well as an assortment of the finest tequilas and beer. Your own fresh catch of the day can be prepared that same night for an unforgettable meal on the beach. Enjoy the best local ingredients expertly prepared as you savor the view of sky and sea.
The fog-drenched coast of northern Baja California hosts some of the finest vineyards and wineries in North America, and we feature many of the best of those offerings in our full service bar. In addition, daily happy hours highlight well known Mexican beer and a wide range of fine tequila. Relax and unwind as you watch the sun set over the desert hills Isla Magdalena and savor your favorite beverage.
Head out into the bay with the expert knowledge of Magdalena Bay Whales team to guide you to the best spots to see the famous Grey Whales of Baja California. Bahía Magdalena is one of the most highly populated whale calving areas, as these magnificent beasts migrate south to north every year. The bay is the southernmost region along the Pacific coast where whales stop along their migration to give birth. Whale watching trips can be arranged at any time during your stay on Isla Magdalena during whale season.
In addition to the majestic Grey Whale, the bay hosts dolphins, sea lions and a variety of other marine life. Take a kayak out from the palapa, free during your stay, and explore the bay shoreline. Watch as sea lions and dolphins cavort in the warm waters of the bay.
Bahía Magdalena is a birder’s paradise. More than 100 species of birds call the bay and the surrounding area home. Grab your binoculars and start checking of those species as you hike or kayak around the island or dunes.
70 miles of mangrove channels and estuary systems create perfect conditions for light tackle, shallow line fishing near camp. Year-round mangrove channel fishing includes spotted bay bass, broomtail grouper, corvina, halibut, pompano, snappers, sierra, black snook, palometa amarilla, and many other species. Bring your catch back to the restaurant and have it prepared the same day. The bay is also excellent for clamming and fresh crabs, caught in crab pots.
A short hike of about ¾ of a mile from the bay shore, the wild Pacific ocean presents deserted beaches, solitude and the roar of the waves as they break against the rocks. Ask for directions to the well-marked scenic trail that rises up through the hills and provides breathtaking views of both the bay and the ocean, and then descends through rocky cliffs to the beach. A more ambitious hike would be the journey of about 12 miles round trip along an old road to the southern end of Isla Magdalena and the beach at Punta Arena. Much less strenuous: a leisurely stroll of about 1.5 miles round trip up through the picturesque fishing village of Puerto Magdalena, which has been on the island longer than Puerto San Carlos has been on the peninsula. Another great day hike is to the north, to Bahía Santa Maria, about a 6 mile round trip. Here you will see one of the largest mangrove stands along Baja’s Pacific coast and experience the solitude of the vast expanse of white sand beach at the bay.
A short distance from camp either on foot or in a kayak provided by your hosts, one of the largest dune and mangrove estuary systems along the Pacific coast awaits your explorations. The bay side behind Bahía Santa Maria stretches for more than 12 miles and offers sheltered kayaking and endless vistas, birding, marine life, sun and sand.
Isla Magdalena and the surrounding area is home to more than 8 endangered, endemic and rare plant species. The cactus plants that grow on Isla Magdalena, some of which you can see around the camp palapa, are known only from this area. Grab your copy of The Baja California Plant Field Guide by Jon Rebman and Norman Roberts and see how many of these rare plants you can identify as you explore the hillsides of the island.