The full day included 2 hours of swimming with whale sharks (Carlos knew all the good spots, so we weren’t near any other boats!), snorkeling with the sea lions and tons of beautiful fish, as well as a private lunch on the most stunningly beautiful beach I’ve been too. Five stars!
Great Day Trip From Cabo, La Paz, or Todos Santos
Protecting Local Wildlife
Small-Group Experience
Full Day & Half-Day La Paz Whale Shark Tours
Choose from our half-day La Paz whale shark tours or the full-day sea lion and whale sharks snorkeling with an amazing lunch in stunning Balandra Beach. Whether you’re a family looking to give your children an experience they’ll never forget, or a couple looking to explore the natural wonders of the Sea of Cortez, this tour is for you! Join us to swim with the world’s biggest fish. On the full-day tour, enjoy the added bonus of interacting with playful sea lions and land on a beautiful secluded beach for lunch – an experience that will stay with you forever.
The Extra Special Moments
Swim with whale sharks & spend time appreciating their size, beauty, and peaceful nature
Learn about marine life and conservation
Explore the landscapes & coves of the Sea of Cortez
Interact with playful sea lions
Enjoy a delicious lunch on the idyllic Balandra beach, a Natural Protected Area
Explore the spectacular scenery of the gem of the Sea of Cortez, Balandra Beach
Full-Day Trip Details
Full-Day Trip Details
Price
- Adults: $4,200 MXN ($220 USD*) per person
with sea lions and Balandra. - 5 and under: $2,100 MXN ($110 USD*) per person
*USD prices are approximate and final checkout will be in Mexican pesos (see book now button for details)
Departure time
6:30 AM approx from Todos Santos
Meeting point
Pick up from your Todos Santos accommodation, the Surf Shop, or meet at the Marina in La Paz.
Marina La Paz
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJjZU1yjPU8zbXDG7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJjZU1yjPU8zbXDG7
Location of the Todos Santos Surf Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
Availability
Monday to Sunday, November to April
Duration
9 hours
Group size
4 to 8 people
Good to know
- La Paz is one hour from Todos Santos and two hours from Cabo. The excursion is on the bay of La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez.
- From December to April, the wind can feel cold when you get wet, so bring a hoodie, windbreaker, or jacket.
- La Paz Bay is a highly regulated area, only 14 boats are allowed to go into the swimming area every three hours. Captains and guides must have all the permits and certifications to be able to work during the whale shark season.
- We respect wildlife, hire local people and support local culture.
Included
- Snorkeling gear and wetsuits
- Permits to swim with whale sharks
- Whale shark swimming experience
- Sea lion and coral reef fish swimming activity
- A delicious lunch of fresh ceviche, vegetarian and beef burritos, organic salad, fruits, chocolates, and drinks at Balandra Beach
- Round trip transportation from Todos Santos to La Paz
- Certified guide and captain
Not included
- Gratuities
- Breakfast
What to bring
- Swimsuit & towel
- Hat & reef-safe sun protection
- Water bottle to refill (no plastic bottles allowed on the tour)
- Jacket & sweatshirt
About your guide
A certified, bilingual, local guide, a certified driver, and a local certified captain
Full-Day Whale Sharks & Sea Lions Itinerary
You’ll be picked up from your Todos Santos accommodation or the Todos Santos Surf Shop(opens in a new tab) to start your La Paz whale shark adventure. Once we arrive at the marina, we’ll hop onto the boat and get out into the bay of La Paz.
Your experienced guide will spend time searching for whale sharks while you get your snorkeling gear on. Once a whale shark has been spotted, you will take turns (4 at a time) to spend time in the water with them. We spend between 2 and 3 hours in the area with these majestic sharks as they come to feed on plankton. You’ll then travel 20 minutes to the next activity, swimming with sea lions!
You’ll get back in the water to see these good-natured animals get up to their tricks. Be prepared to play as this particular breed of sea lions are well-known for their fun-loving nature. Swim around the coral reef and marvel at the shoals of tropical fish darting around their natural habitat.
Then head over to Balandra Beach, named one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico for its fine white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. We’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch of burritos, fresh ceviche, salad, fruit, and chocolate with a perfect view of the Sea of Cortez. After lunch, spend time relaxing on the beach or explore the surroundings.
Half-Day Trip Details
Price
- Adults: $2,500 MXN ($130 USD*) per person
- 5 and under: $1,250 MXN ($65 USD*) per person
*USD prices are approximate and final checkout will be in Mexican pesos (see book now button for details)
Departure times
Departure times are designated daily based on availability.
Meeting point
Pick up from your Todos Santos accommodation, the Surf Shop, or meet at the Marina in La Paz.
Marina La Paz
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJjZU1yjPU8zbXDG7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJjZU1yjPU8zbXDG7
Location of the Todos Santos Surf Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
Availability
Monday to Sunday, October to April
Duration
2-3 hours
Group size
4 to 8 people
Good to know
- This tour is ideal for people who are already in La Paz and looking for a unique half-day activity.
- La Paz is one hour from Todos Santos and two hours from Cabo. The excursion is on the bay of La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez.
- From December to April, the wind can feel cold if you get wet, so bring a hoodie, windbreaker, or jacket.
- La Paz Bay is a highly regulated area, only 14 boats are allowed to go into the swimming area every three hours.
- We respect wildlife, hire local people and support local culture.
Included
- Snorkeling gear and wetsuits
- Permits to swim with whale sharks
- Certified guide and captain
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What to bring
- Swimsuit & towel
- Hat & reef-safe sun protection
- Water bottle to refill (no plastic bottles allowed on the tour)
- Jacket/sweatshirt
About your guide
A certified, local, bilingual guide and certified local captain
Half-Day Whale Sharks Itinerary
Meet us at the marina for a fun-filled La Paz whale shark tour. We’ll hop into the boat and get out into the bay of La Paz to explore the waters of the Sea of Cortez. Your experienced guide will spend time searching for whale sharks while you get your snorkeling gear on. Once a whale shark has been spotted, you will take turns (two or 4 at a time) to spend time in the water with them while ensuring you don’t disturb them while they are feeding on plankton. We spend between 2 and 3 hours in the area with these magnificent sharks and then return to the marina
This is the ideal tour for people who are in La Paz and want to swim with whale sharks in a respectful and sustainable way.
Read What Our Guests Have Said...
I have been on whale shark trips with them for the last two years. Carlos is really knowledgeable and so enthusiastic. He made our trip. I was really impressed by his team, his employees at the shop, and his professionalism on the trip. This was a great lesson to give my kids on passion, conservation, and appreciation of nature.
The whale sharks were so beautiful and our guides were passionate & knowledgeable. You could tell they cared about protecting the animals and respecting their space. Excellent service from pickup to drop-off.
We swam with 30+ whale sharks, swam with playful sea lions, and had an amazing lunch on Balandra beach. Pictures don’t do this trip justice, you need to experience it. Super accommodating for weaker swimmers and the entire family.
These people were the best of the best. I’ve taken tours all over the world. The attitude and attention from our guide and captain was impeccable. We had a larger group and they were happy to accommodate.
Amazing experience. The team has an appreciation and respect for the ocean that makes the journey even that more special. Total treat.
We took a stunning boat ride to Isla Espíritu Santo, whose aqua waters and white sand look like a Caribbean paradise. The respect Paula & Explora Baja have for the marine life … made us feel good about our harmonious time in their waters. I can’t recommend this excursion enough.
Incredible experience from swimming with the whale sharks and sea lions to dolphins near a stunning beach with delicious food. Thank you so very much.
