The programme is one of the largest marine citizen science activities of its kind in the UK. Volunteers taking part will not only be clearing our beaches of litter, but help the Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading ocean membership charity, to gather vital data to create change for cleaner and healthier seas.

This year’s Great British Beach Clean is being sponsored by Ireland’s leading soup brand, Cully & Sully Soup, whose support is helping to raise awareness of marine litter and protect UK beaches from pollution.

To sign up for a beach clean, or organise your own, simply visit the charity’s website.

Key stats and facts

• At last year’s Great British Beach Clean, 5,416 volunteers conducted 428 beach cleans over 10 days, surveying 64,139 metres of coastline. A total of 129,391 pieces of litter were collected, filling 1,426 bags and weighing 7,476 kg.
• The Marine Conservation Society has recorded an average drop of 80% in carrier bags found on UK beaches since charges were introduced, showing that policies to reduce plastic work.
• Data collected during the Great British Beach Clean contributes toward the charity’s annual State of our Beaches report. Last year’s report recorded a 14% increase in drinks-related litter.
• The report also showed that nine out of 10 beach litter items found on beaches by Marine Conservation Society volunteers last year were made from plastic.
• Sewage plays a large part in the pollution problem. In 2023, over 29,500 sewage-related items, including more than 21,000 wet wipes, were recorded across the UK and Channel Islands, with sewage-related items present on 72% of surveyed beaches.
• Data from the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean contributes to a global database, International Coastal Cleanup.

Key messages:

• Data collected by volunteers during the Great British Beach Clean shows the positive result of policies like carrier bag charges, and how they work to reduce litter on our beaches.
• Plastic still remains the most common form of beach pollution – highlighting the urgent need for further action to tackle the single-use plastic problem such as charges, bans and deposit return schemes.
• The Marine Conservation Society is calling for governments across the UK implement world-class deposit return schemes for drinks containers including glass, plastic, and cans, without any further delay. Currently the proposed scheme is set to start in October 2027, but with Wales being the only country to include glass.
• The charity hopes that the recent bans on single-use plastics, such as cutlery, will lead to a noticeable reduction in the amount of single-use plastic cutlery polluting our beaches, much like the positive impact of the carrier bag charge.
• Sewage-related pollution, such as period products and wet wipes, are still prevalent on our beaches. Governments of the UK must turn the tide on pollution and end untreated sewage damaging our marine environment.
• You can support the charity by helping to clean up the UK’s beaches and collecting valuable data that supports efforts to address sewage pollution effectively.

ON THE DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME:

Lizzie Price, Beachwatch Manager at the Marine Conservation Society: “It’s fantastic to see real-world evidence of the effectiveness of policies such as carrier bag charges in tackling pollution from single-use plastics. There’s no denying that these measures have helped to reduce litter on our beaches. However, we cannot afford to become complacent.

“Drinks-related litter, such as bottles and cans, were found on 97% of UK beaches surveyed last year. We need wider policies such as charges, bans, or deposits on more single-use items where possible, including the proposed deposit return schemes for plastic bottles, cans, and glass. We must keep moving towards a society that repairs, reuses, and recycles.”

ON SEWAGE POLLUTION:

Rachel Wyatt, the Marine Conservation Society’s Water Quality Policy & Advocacy Manager:

“Our seas cannot sustain the deluge of sewage that is being dumped into our waterways on a weekly basis. Our beach clean volunteers find thousands of sewage-related litter items washed up on the beaches every year, but it’s not just physical pollution that is harmful to us and marine life. Raw sewage contains a cocktail of bacteria, viruses, harmful chemicals, and microplastics which is a disaster for our ocean. Governments of the UK must turn the tide on pollution and end untreated sewage damaging our marine environment, so that we can all enjoy sewage-free seas.”

ON VOLUNTEERING:

Clare Trotman, Beachwatch Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “The work we do at the Marine Conservation Society simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, who help gather crucial beach litter data. This information is invaluable in shaping scientific understanding and driving the changes needed to protect our precious marine environment.

“With beach cleans taking place all over the UK and Channel Islands, there are countless opportunities to get involved and support us this year. And if you can’t make it to the beach, you can still contribute by organising a local litter pick and survey in your area.”

Cully Allen from Great British Beach Clean sponsor, Cully & Sully Soup, said: “We are excited to be part of the UK’s biggest beach clean initiative for a third year. As a B Corp, doing good is at the core of what we do. We are always striving to do better internally as a business, but we really enjoy when we get to encourage and join our customers in doing good. We are looking forward to getting stuck into the beach cleans again this year, serving up our soup to the SOUPer volunteers and taking direct action on marine litter.”

The following beach cleans are currently set to take place:

Date	Region	County	Beach & link
20/09/2024	Weston-Super-Mare	North Somerset, England	Uphill Beach
20/09/2024	Wirral	Cheshire, England	West Kirby Beach
21/09/2024	Weston-Super-Mare	North Somerset, England	Sand Bay Beach
21/09/2024	Cramond	Edinburgh, Scotland	Cramond Beach
21/09/2024	Aberdeen	Aberdeenshire, Scotland	Aberdeen City Beach
22/09/2024	Formby	Merseyside, England	Formby Beach
23/09/2024	Portsmouth	Hampshire, England	Southsea Beach
25/09/2024	Littlehampton	West Sussex, England	Littlehampton East Beach
27/09/2024	Swansea	Glamorgan, Wales	Swansea Beach
27/09/2024	Portstewart	Londonderry, N. Ireland	Portstewart Beach
27/09/2024	Cleethorpes	Lincolnshire, England	Cleethorpes Beach
27/09/2024	Brixham	Devon, England	St Mary’s Beach
28/09/2024	Rhoscolyn	Isle of Anglesey, Wales	Borth Wen Beach
28/09/2024	Charmouth	Dorset, England	Charmouth Beach
29/09/2024	Wallasey	Merseyside, England	New Brighton Beach

Find more information about the Marine Conservation Society at www.mcsuk.org.

November 3 to 10, 2024 – aboard the Gallant Lady

October 19 to 26, 2025 – aboard the Nautilus Explorer

The Experience

From October to January, an extraordinary event unfolds in the nutrient-rich, vibrant blue waters off Magdalena Bay, where striped marlin gather to hunt during the second-largest sardine run in the world. This breathtaking underwater spectacle is one you won’t want to miss.

Set sail aboard the Nautilus Gallant Lady as we cruise along the stunning Baja California coastline. Our destination? The tranquil waters and outer islands of Magdalena Bay, where massive schools of sardines congregate. Each fall, an oceanic upwelling merges with warm waters, creating ideal conditions for these sardines in the shallow, cobalt-blue waters. These waters teem with life, featuring bait balls and predators such as seabirds, blue and mako sharks, sea lions, whales, dolphins, wahoo, and the fastest fish in the ocean—the striped marlin. With speeds reaching 50 mph (80 km/h), it’s a thrilling experience to be in the water next to a bait ball, watching marlin zoom past with their dorsal fins fully extended. You might also encounter pelicans, gulls, booby birds, frigate birds, shearwaters, and even the majestic albatross.

Trip Highlights

• Witness one of the world’s largest sardine hunts in Magdalena Bay
• Snorkel alongside striped marlin as they prepare for a feeding frenzy
• Chance to see California sea lions, dolphins, wahoo, and more
• Spot humpback whales and, if lucky, possibly orcas or blue whales
• Scuba dive the SS Independence and a WWI submarine wreck
• View pelicans, gulls, booby birds, frigates, shearwaters, and albatross

Pricing

November 3 to 10, 2024 on Gallant Lady

• Superior Suites: $3,670 USD per person (tax included) – 0 spots left
• Premium Suite: $4,195 USD per person (tax included) – 1 spot left
• $35 USD port fee (paid onboard)

October 19 to 26, 2025 on Nautilus Explorer

• 1 Triple room berth: $3,355 USD – 1 spot left
• 2 Single Suites: $4,455 USD – 2 spots left
• 2 Superior Suites: $3,775 USD per person (tax included) – 4 spots left
• 1 Standard Suite: $3,564 USD per person (tax included) – 4 spots left
• $35 USD port fee (paid onboard)

Inclusions

• Accommodation
• All meals: continental breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert
• Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks
• Daily room service
• Towels and onboard facilities (including hot tub and lounge)
• Lots of fun!

Exclusions

• Airport transfer
• Bar and gift shop purchases
• Crew gratuities
• Internet access
• $35 USD port fee

Photography Coaching

Underwater photography coaching will be provided by Christopher Bartlett, the founder of Indigo Safaris and an experienced underwater photographer. Christopher’s work has been featured globally, and he has published over 100 articles on diving and marine conservation. His photography has appeared on numerous dive magazine covers. During the trip, Christopher will offer photography guidance, from basic to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle shots. He’ll help you set up your gear and process your images in Lightroom. Christopher has been leading Cetacean trips since 2015 and has extensive experience with species like sperm whales, humpbacks, sharks, sea lions, dolphins, and bait balls.

The Journey

Embark on the luxurious 116 ft, six-cabin expedition yacht, Nautilus Gallant Lady, and follow this remarkable migration across the Sea of Cortez. Whether you’re a snorkeler, swimmer, or diver, this trip caters to all experience levels. We’ll ensure you get ample time in the water with schools of mobula rays. Some encounters may last just minutes, while others could extend for over an hour—and sometimes, the rays may even welcome you into the middle of their formation. A bonus experience? Special night encounters with rays as they gather around our dive lights in shallow, protected bays.

Who is this trip for?

This adventure is perfect for both divers and snorkelers. While there are a couple of dive days, non-divers can enjoy the action through snorkeling. Most of the bait ball excitement is best experienced while snorkeling.

Day 1

Arrive at SeeCreatures Cabo by 4:30 pm. After boarding, we’ll set sail along the stunning Baja California coastline, heading toward the sheltered waters and outer islands of Magdalena Bay, home to the famous sardine run.

Day 2

Kick off the adventure with three dives at the southern end of Margarita Island, where you’ll explore sites that include playful sea lions and the remains of a steamship that sank in the early 1900s.

Days 3 – 6

It’s time to hunt for bait balls and jump into the water with striped marlin! This eco-tourism experience is a collaboration with local pangas and expert captains. Captain G and his family and friends are masters at locating bait balls, giving you the best chance for marlin encounters. Spend as much or as little time on the water as you like—the more time you invest, the more striped marlin sightings you’ll enjoy. Scuba diving is also a core part of the itinerary.

Magdalena Bay teems with life at this time of year. Alongside marlin, you could see whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and sea lions. Don’t miss the chance to explore the nearby mangroves and stunning sand dunes. For added adventure, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) will be available for your use.

Day 7

On the final day at Magdalena Bay, we’ll wrap up with three more dives, including a dive at the wreck of a WWI submarine and another sea lion encounter.

Day 8

Disembark at SeeCreatures Cabo after enjoying a final breakfast at 8:30 am.

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The Vessel

Accommodating 12 passengers in six spacious suites, the Gallant Lady offers a luxurious and comfortable experience. The cabins are split between the lower and main decks, featuring five Superior Suites and one Premium Suite. Each suite is equipped with individually controlled air conditioning, a California king or two double beds, ample storage, and private en-suite bathrooms.

Superior Suites – Inde, Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus & Swell

Two Superior Suites are located on the main deck, while the remaining three are on the lower deck. Four of these suites can be configured with either a California king bed or two double beds. Each suite includes a private en-suite bathroom with a shower and individually controlled A/C.

Premium Suite – Emerald

The spacious Premium Suite, located on the lower deck, offers flexibility with either a California king bed or two doubles. It also features a private en-suite bathroom with a full-sized bathtub.

Social Spaces

The Gallant Lady is designed with several comfortable social areas to help you unwind. The sky lounge on the top deck, complete with a hot tub, is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail after a day of adventure. Relax between dives on the sundeck, or take in the wrap-around views from the main salon and dining room, which also boasts a fully stocked bar.

The onboard chef prepares a delicious fusion of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine, and all dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:

Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett