Total Solar Eclipse, Mazatlan 2024 with optional San Blas Birding
Mazatlan, Mexico
April 5-9, 2024
On April 8, 2024, at 10:51 am, Mazatlan Mexico will be plunged into the complete darkness of night. The last time a total eclipse happened in North America was in 2017, the next time this will happen won’t be until 2044. The longest duration of the eclipse; 4 minutes and 27 seconds, will take place
Of all the places to experience and photograph along the path of the “Great American Solar Eclipse” of 2024, we chose Mazatlan. This choice was obvious, Mazatlan offers the sunniest skies. In the United States, the path of the eclipse is from Texas to Maine, here, the best you can hope for is a 50/50 chance of clear skies. Mazatlan has an over 80% chance of clear skies. Mazatlan has an international airport with lots of flights from the US, making it easy to access. Mazatlan has incredible countryside and rich cultural history, which makes it a wonderful destination for photographers.
We have developed this workshop to optimize this rare opportunity to capture a Total Eclipse of the Sun.
Itinerary
April 5,
Arrive at the airport, we will pick you up and get you settled at your hotel. Orientation and welcome dinner.
April 6,
We drive the famous “Espinazo del Diablo Highway” into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Bring your long lens for birds and your landscape filters for the rugged natural beauty. In the evening we will walk through Mazatlan’s historical district and the Cathedral Mazatlán Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción.
April 7,
Our adventure today begins with the Las Labradas Nature area and Archeological site. In the evening we will have a sunset stroll of Mazatlan’s Malacon a miles-long beach walk.
April 8,
The big day! The eclipse will be full at 10:51 am but we will be up early for preparation and travel to our selected location. While the eclipse only happens for 4 and 1/2 minutes we will be prepared and will work with you to ensure that your camera is set for a stunning capture. In the afternoon we will visit the Tequila Distillery La Vinata “Los Osuna” The last night will be a farewell dinner at one of Mazatlan’s many fine dining restaurants.
April 9,
Transportation to the airport for trip home.
***Special Add-on opportunity***
We are offering a special addition to the Mazatlan eclipse tour with an extension to San Blas, Nayarit, for a remarkable two days of birding photography in Mexico’s most productive avian environment. 
The San Cristobal River and the Tovara Natural Springs preserve are world class birding locations with over 299 species. Widely considered the best avian environment in all of Mexico you will enjoy two very different but no less amazing boat tours in this estuary. Home of the Boat-billed Heron, the Northern Potoo and nesting Wood Stork; San Blas should be your next birding adventure.
April 9, travel from Mazatlan to San Blas, check into a hotel. Get to
know the charming coastal town of San Blas. Sample one of the many fine
seafood restaurants in town. In the evening is the first of two
riverboat tours on the San Cristobal River and the Tovara natural springs. This afternoon and evening we boat to the Tovara Springs Preserve which is at the end of a serpentine mangrove river where colorful and exotic birds are literally within an arm’s reach at times including the Great Egrets, American Purple Gallinule, Tricolored Heron, White-Faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill and Boat-billed Heron .
process, only this time venturing up the broad San Cristobal River river to the long secluded Marisma marsh nick-named: “La amapita” – or Poppy – a vital international breeding ground for the Wood Stork and cormorants , as well
as dozens of other birds you didn’t see on the evening tour. We finish our experience in San Blas with a visit to the Ruins of the Contraduria Fort which can be surprisingly productive, our goal is to see 100 species. We return to Mazatlan and check in to your hotel for your last night in Mexico.
April 11, we depart for the airport and your return trip to the US.
Cost $1200 for add-on portion only
Includes hotel accommodations based upon double occupancy, ground
transportation to San Blas, and cost of guided boat tours. Does not
include meals or other costs associated with non-planned events.
When signing up just let us know you want to include the special add
on as part of your adventure. We will invoice you the balance at a
later date.
Physical Ability:
This workshop includes a fair amount of walking city streets or historical locations. Typically the streets and sidewalks are cobblestones or uneven pavement. You should expect a moderate level of physical exertion.
Photographic Subject and Instruction:
During this workshop, we will provide guidance and instruction on the following styles of photographic subjects, street photography, landscape photography, and bird photography. As a result, you will have the opportunity to practice and improve these skills. If you are into photographing birds, bring your bird lens as there will be opportunities to expand your life list.
Instruction will be primarily one on one, with some group field demonstrations. While there is no classroom instruction during this workshop, we welcome the opportunity to review your work individually and help you realize your photographic goals.
Safety
Photographing a Solar Eclipse requires special precautions. Whenever any part of the photosphere of the sun is visible, it is essential to view the Sun through a special solar filter. Such filters are widely available and cost at most a few dollars. We will work with you prior to the workshop to ensure that you have all the proper filters and equipment for safely viewing and photographing the eclipse. Looking at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun without the proper equipment is a recipe for serious and potentially permanent eye injury.
About Your Photography Tour Guides:
John Gregor and Tomy O’Brien are award-winning photographers. Each of them has over 40 years of photographic experience. Gregor has 30 years of experience running workshops and tours, and O’Brien is fluent in conversational Spanish. Both Gregor and O’Brien are experienced travelers and travel photographers, together they have traveled throughout Mexico, having driven over 32,000 kilometers and visited 26 of the 32 Mexican States. Their photography is published in magazines and online worldwide.
Includes ground transportation and guided photography tours to local destinations.
Does not include, food, or transportation to Mazatlan, except for the welcome and farewell dinners.
Accommodations
Once you are registered we will provide lodging information.
