Balandra Private Boat Tour

Balandra is the headliner, but this five-hour trip pairs beach time with a snorkel stop at a sea lion colony near San Rafaelito. You travel by private boat from La Paz, with time to relax on shore or eat lunch aboard.

I like that your group gets a private outing, so the pace can respond to your needs. I also like the mix of three hours at Balandra and reef snorkeling, with lunch and gear included.

One consideration: this is a boat-and-beach day, not a long, structured snorkeling excursion. You have about an hour at San Rafaelito, and weather can affect whether the trip runs as planned.

• Balandra gets the most time: Plan on about three hours at the beach, with lunch either on the sand or on board.
• San Rafaelito brings the wildlife focus: Snorkel at a reef beside a small sea lion colony.
• It is genuinely private: Only your group participates, with a maximum of five people.
• Lunch is part of the outing: Choose between ceviche or baguettes, with snacks and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not included, though snorkel gear and wetsuits are.
• The meeting point is on La Paz’s Malecón: The tour starts and ends at Paseo Álvaro Obregón 220.

Balandra and sea lions in one boat day

This outing is built around two very different stretches of the coast. At Balandra Bay, the plan is to slow down: swim, soak up the sun, explore the beach, and make time for lunch. At San Rafaelito, the focus shifts to the reef and its sea lion colony.

That variety is a useful reason to choose this trip over a beach-only outing. You get a generous block of time at Balandra, plus a chance to see the marine life around a reef, without signing up for a full day at sea.

The boat leaves from La Paz and passes La Gaviota Island on the way to San Rafaelito. The route itself is part of the day, though the exact time spent traveling between stops is not specified. The stated stop times add up to four hours of a five-hour trip, leaving the remaining time for the boat ride and moving between places.

The tour is private for your group, up to five people. That can make a practical difference if you have children, want a slower pace, or prefer to spend more time on the beach than snorkeling. Guides have been praised for adjusting the day to their group, but the exact schedule still depends on the route and conditions.

Three hours to settle in at Balandra

Balandra is the longest stop, with about three hours set aside for the beach. That gives you time to do more than step ashore, take a quick look, and hurry back to the boat. You can relax, get some sun, and have lunch either at the beach or on board.

There is also room to explore the rocks around Balandra. One family particularly enjoyed walking among them, so if you like a little movement between swims and lounging, ask your guide what makes sense during your visit. The available information does not specify a formal hike or marked trail, so treat this as casual beachside exploring rather than a planned trek.

Your lunch is ceviche or baguettes, with snacks and nonalcoholic drinks included. A homemade sauce has been a memorable extra on past outings, but you should not assume that the exact meal or accompaniments will be the same each time. If you have a particular food need, ask the operator before booking; no dietary options are specified.

The choice to eat on the beach or on board is a small but useful feature. If you would rather stay close to the water, you can take your meal ashore. If you prefer a break from the sand, the boat gives you another place to sit and eat.

Balandra takes up most of the stop time, which suits anyone who wants an unhurried beach day. It may feel like less time than you hoped if your main goal is snorkeling, since the reef stop is shorter. Think of this as a beach outing with a snorkeling component, not the other way around.

An hour at San Rafaelito’s reef

San Rafaelito is a small sea lion colony, with a reef below the water. The boat navigates there from La Paz, passing La Gaviota Island, and the snorkeling takes place at the reef. The planned stop is about one hour.

That hour is the main wildlife-focused part of the tour. Past outings have included snorkeling with sea lions, as well as sightings of dolphins and even a whale. Those encounters are never guaranteed, of course, but the route offers the possibility of seeing marine life beyond the reef itself.

The supplied gear includes snorkel equipment and a wetsuit, which means you do not need to bring your own kit to take part. The information does not specify sizes, styles, or whether there are alternative activities for anyone who does not want to snorkel. If you are unsure about swimming or equipment, contact the operator before you book.

The crew has included marine biologist Miguel, along with guides and boat staff such as Regina, Mateo, Charlie, and Rego. The exact people on your departure may vary. When Miguel is guiding, his marine biology background can add useful context about the local sea life, rather than leaving you to identify every fin and flipper on your own.

Be ready for the possibility that the sea lion stop may be the part you remember most, but keep expectations sensible. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the schedule gives you a limited window at the reef. If you want a long snorkeling session, ask whether the timing can be adjusted before you commit.

Private space, shared cost

The price is $866.18 per group of up to five, not per person. If all five places are filled and you split the cost evenly, that comes to about $173.24 each. With fewer people, the cost per person rises, so the value depends in part on how many people are in your party.

For a private boat, the price covers more than a ride between two stops. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, and lunch are included, and only your group takes part. You are paying for a small-scale day where your party can spend time together without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is a stronger value for a group of four or five than for one or two people, though a couple may still prefer the privacy and flexibility. Think about how much you value having the boat to yourselves, and whether the included food and equipment save you from arranging those items separately.

The five-hour length is also worth weighing. It is long enough to combine Balandra and San Rafaelito, yet short enough to fit into a half-day plan. If you want a full day on the water, this may feel brief. If you want a focused outing with beach time and one snorkeling stop, the length is more appealing.

What the crew can add to the day

The people running the boat can shape the feel of a private trip. Miguel and Regina have been named together on outings, and Miguel has been described as a marine biologist. Other named crew include Mateo, Charlie, and Rego. Do not assume every person will be on your particular departure, but you can ask who is scheduled to guide it.

A good guide matters here because the day has choices: beach or boat for lunch, more time relaxing or exploring, and how to use the snorkeling stop. Families have appreciated patient help with young children, and one family traveling with a one-year-old found the crew accommodating. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee of a particular service or childcare arrangement.

Past trips have also included practical help beyond the boat ride, such as arranging a cab back to a ship. That kind of assistance can be valuable if you are coordinating a tight onward plan, but it is not listed as a standard inclusion. If you have a specific transfer need, discuss it before the tour.

Meeting point, gear, and weather

The start and end point is Paseo Álvaro Obregón 220, on the Malecón in central La Paz. Public transportation is nearby, and the tour returns to the same meeting point. You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation, and the activity is offered in English.

Pack a towel, since one is not provided. The tour supplies bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, lunch, snorkel gear, and wetsuits, so you can leave those items off your packing list unless you prefer your own equipment.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather leads to cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For other cancellations, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund; changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The trip is described as suitable for most people, but that does not answer every question about mobility, swimming ability, or specific health needs. If any of those could affect your day, check with the operator first rather than assuming the boat or beach setup will meet your needs.

Who should book this Balandra trip

I would put this on the shortlist for couples, families, and small groups who want a private day that combines beach time with a taste of snorkeling. The included wetsuits and snorkel gear make the water stop easier to plan, while the long Balandra visit gives non-snorkelers something substantial to enjoy too.

It is especially appealing if your group likes having a flexible pace and values local guidance. Children have been accommodated on past outings, and the crew’s marine biology background can bring more meaning to a reef stop. Still, if you are traveling with a baby or anyone who needs special support, ask direct questions about the boat and the day’s arrangements.

You may want another option if your top priority is hours of snorkeling, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or the lowest possible cost per person. The strongest case for this tour is the combination: a private boat, a generous Balandra stop, a reef visit near sea lions, and lunch provided.

Should you book?

Book it if you have up to five people, want time to relax at Balandra, and like the idea of adding a short reef snorkel without giving up most of the day. The private format and included meal and equipment help justify the group price, especially when you fill the boat.

Before reserving, confirm who is guiding your departure, mention any dietary or mobility needs, and ask about the planned pace if snorkeling is your main reason for going. Bring a towel, keep wildlife expectations flexible, and you will have a clearer picture of what this outing can deliver.

FAQ

How long is the Balandra Private Boat Tour?

The tour lasts about five hours. The planned stops are about three hours at Balandra Beach and one hour at San Rafaelito.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $866.18 per private group of up to five people. The per-person cost depends on how many people share the group price.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Paseo Álvaro Obregón 220, Malecón, Zona Central, La Paz.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Snorkel gear, a wetsuit, bottled water, lunch, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks are included. Lunch is ceviche or baguettes.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

What happens at San Rafaelito?

The boat travels to San Rafaelito, passing La Gaviota Island. You snorkel at a reef near a small sea lion colony.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For a full refund after a personal cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.