Whale Shark Season in La Paz – Complete Guide

A person snorkels alongside a whale shark.

Introduction

Every year, whale sharks come to La Paz Bay to look for food and safety. These mysterious animals spend around 5 months in the area, and we are super lucky to be able to share some amazing moments with them. Our authorities do a great job ensuring that, while they are in the Bay, they are well taken care of through the use of a management plan designed for them to be safe and undisturbed, and for us to have great encounters. I would like to explain a little about how the whole experience of swimming with Whale Sharks with Explora Baja works.

What is this Expedition about

This expedition is about swimming with sharks! But not just any shark, the biggest species of shark in the world! Every fall, they make their way to La Paz looking for little animals called copepods to eat, so they congregate and spend time together in a specific place, which creates an opportunity for us to swim with them and enjoy their unique beauty and peacefulness.

When is the best time to swim with Whale Sharks

Wildlife is not an exact science. They are always on a mission to accomplish a goal. Sometimes it can be feeding, sometimes they are just moving or migrating, and some other times it is reproduction.

In the case of the Whale Sharks that visit La Paz, they are looking for food, so the time for them to appear in the area depends on different factors like water temperature, water quality, etc. All this will directly affect the quantity of food available for them.

Typically, they show up from late October to mid November when the first north winds start blowing, creating upwellings (deep water making its way to the surface), which bring nutrients from the bottom of the sea to the surface, creating a bloom of life on which the whale sharks will feed. Basically, they will hang out until this food source is available, which is around the end of April.

What most websites don’t tell you

As we said before, there is a beautiful management plan around the activity of swimming with whale sharks. Here is a brief description of how it works and how this will affect our operation and your booking!

There are 3 blocks of 40 boats each, making a 120-boat fleet.
The daily operation is divided into 4 shifts of 14 boats each.

- Shift 1. Duration: 3 hrs. Start time: 8:00 am. Meeting time at the marina: 7:00 am.
- Shift 2. Duration: 2 hrs. Start time: 11:00 am. Meeting time at the marina: 10:00 am.
- Shift 3. Duration: 2 hrs. Start time: 1:00 pm. Meeting time at the marina: 12:00 pm.
- Shift 4. Duration: 2 hrs. Start time: 3:00 pm. Meeting time at the marina: 2:00 pm.

Each of the blocks was assigned specific days on which they get priority at the moment of entering tickets for the whale sharks.
Now, what does priority mean? It means that when a boat has priority and they ask for an entry ticket, they only compete for spaces with the other 40 boats within the same block. When there is no priority, we compete against the other 80 boats. This also means that after the priority tickets are assigned, the rest of the fleet depends on the shifts that are left to share.
To get access granted, we submit our tickets in two different ways and at different times.

- Priority days: 3:00 pm, one day before the trip, for Shifts 1 and 2.
- Priority days: 7:00 am, the same day of the trip, for Shifts 3 and 4.
- Non-priority days: 4:00 pm, one day before the trip, for Shifts 1 and 2.
- Non-priority days: 9:00 am, the same day of the trip, for Shifts 3 and 4.

We can’t really guarantee a specific time of entry until after the times at which tickets are assigned, but we have a really good idea of how, when, and what we can do.
Because of how the management plan works, there are never crowds in the water, as the amount of people allowed in the whale shark area is always controlled.
As tickets are assigned with entry times, there is not really a waiting time to enter the whale shark area.
In reality, it’s a beautiful experience. We just need to deal with the tickets being granted on a day-to-day basis, so be patient and try to have flexibility in your schedule to avoid stress and be able to participate in this amazing activity.

Half Day vs Full Day whale shark tour. What’s the difference?

Honestly? The real difference is not the whale sharks. You’ll swim with them in both expeditions. Same area, same rules, same permits, same respectful approach to the animals.

What changes is the kind of day you want to have.

The Half Day is simple, smooth, and focused, designed around the whale shark swim. We go out, we do what you came here for, you enjoy snacks and drinks on the boat, and before you know it, you’re back at the marina with plenty of day left. No long hours navigating. No getting extra tired, and lots of time to explore around La Paz if you feel like it.

The Full Day is for people who want to turn the ocean into the whole plan. After the whale sharks, we keep exploring. We visit sea lions, cruise along the beautiful coastline, and have lunch at Balandra Beach. It’s a longer, more adventurous day at sea.

Same highlight.
Very different rhythm.

One feels easy and comfortable.
The other feels like a full-on ocean expedition.

Both are beautiful experiences. It really comes down to how you like to enjoy your day on the water.

What to bring (and what not to bring!)

Towel
Hat
Sunscreen (reef-safe is recommended)
Water bottle or canteen, as we try not to use single-use plastic. We will have purified water and cups on board if you don’t have your own bottle.
A sweater or jacket is recommended during the winter months.
Cameras and phones, as we have dry spots around the boat to keep them dry.
We have snacks and drinks, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Walking shoes are not needed, as we will spend the day on the boat and on the beach during the Full Day trips.

The Classic Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to swim with whale sharks? Yes, it totally is. Whale sharks are super mellow, and they feed by filtering food from the ocean, so they are not interested in us as food. We just swim with them as they filter and enjoy each other’s company.
How common is it to see whale sharks? Even though wildlife is never a guarantee, we normally see them on a daily basis while the season is open.
Do I need to put on my bathing suit before the activity? It is recommended that, when you board, you have your bathing suit on so it’s easier for you to change into your wetsuit once on the boat. But it is not a requirement, as you can easily use your towel to change once on the boat as well, or before boarding at the marina.
How far do we need to go to swim with the whale sharks? Not far at all. They congregate to feed in an area called El Mogote, which is right in front of the city of La Paz. They move around that particular sandbar, which is 7 miles long. It is actually pretty shallow too where we swim with them.

Swimming with Whale Sharks is definitely an experience that everyone should have. Sharks have been misunderstood for ages. This is a perfect opportunity to see them for who they really are. Sharks are mellow ocean creatures of great importance to ocean ecology and the ecosystem.