Think you’ve seen it all under
water and ready for new
thrills? HENLEY SPIERSfound
a hot contender in the new-
thrills category recently, off
Mexico’s Pacific coastP
ERCHED ON THE EDGEof the
boat, fins hanging above the water,
one hand gripping my camera, the
other clenched tightly around a nearby
pole, my heart-rate rises as we follow the
trail of frothing water.
Birds swoop in as streamlined bodies
break the water surface and dark
silhouettes of large animals swim our
way. The captain eyes the action, swiftly
turning course to face us into the
oncoming horde.
“Go! Go! Go!” he shouts, and I push
off into the sea.
Hurtling in, my left hand wipes the
dome-port of bubbles and my heart
thumps even harder, as I try to see clearly
through the agitated water.
Suddenly, my eyes locate the dark
shapes heading straight for me. I barely
have time to raise the camera before a
frantic shoal of sardines whooshes past.
Their hunter follows a split-second
later, splashing back down under water
after an acrobatic leap, turning its long
bill and muscular body at the last
moment to avoid my unexpected
presence.
All around, scores of marlin encircle
me, each one following the scent of this
deadly ocean highway.L
OOKING FOR THE MOST
exhilarating and unusual marine
encounter of your life? How about
jumping in with big packs of striped
marlin, as they hunt down sardine
baitballs in the open ocean?
I am always on the look-out for new
underwater opportunities and, in 2018,
became aware of newly resurgent marlin
encounters off the Pacific coast of Baja
California. Enticed by the prospect of
photographing a fish that has received
far more attention from fishermen than
divers, I signed up for the next
available expedition.Arrived in La Paz, our small group of
adventure-seekers gathers over breakfast
to share deep-sea tales and Instagram
handles, before boarding a mini-truck
for a four-hour drive away from the
state capital.
Eventually we arrive in a small fishing
town, devoid of tourists, and with an
authentic taste of Mexican life outside
the city hubs. The town grew rich from
the spoils of the sea, with the local
fishermen living the life of rock-stars,
sure that the ocean’s rich bounty would
keep the good times rolling. But fish
stocks collapsed, and the community has
faced financial hardship ever since.divEr 64
MARLIN
HUNT
Pictured: The marlin
proved to be remarkably
intelligent and agile
predators, able to turn on
a dime to avoid curious
humans. Inset above:
With this kind of big
animal trip, you need to be
patient, but always ready.