The 15 Best Whale Shark Tours in La Paz

1.La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour and Lunch From Los Cabos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,066 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $259Our pick

Leave Los Cabos early for La Paz, where a guide and local captain take you by panga into the Sea of Cortez to snorkel near whale sharks when conditions allow. Wetsuits, gear, drinks, and Baja-style fish tacos are included. Guides such as Mario and Joe have been praised for clear safety instructions and patient help in the water.

“Mario and Edgar were fantastic as our guide and driver. Mario made the experience super fun while informative and safe, and Edgar was a phenomenal driver! The experience was a must do when visiting the area, the whale sharks are absolutely stunning creatures! We had gravest visibility in the water and could see them very clearly!”

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2.Whale Shark snorkeling tour in a reduced group with local marine biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 594 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $190

From La Paz, join a small boat crew and a marine biologist such as Angel or Carla to snorkel at the surface near whale sharks. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, refreshments, permits, insurance, and GoPro photos and videos are included. The roughly three-hour trip depends on weather, sea conditions, and finding sharks.

“This whale shark excursion was hands-down amazing, and a huge part of that is thanks to Angel (our marine biologist) and Marco (our boat captain) Angel explained everything so clearly — from the rules and safety guidelines to how to respectfully interact with the whale sharks — and made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident the entire time. They helped us find several whale sharks and when some of us weren’t able to get great photos in the water, Angel came through with his GoPro and later emailed us the most incredible photos and videos. That extra effort meant so much and allowed us to truly relive the experience. This…”

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3.Intimate Eco-Friendly Whale Shark Encounter – Premium Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $268

Meet your guide at The Dock Cafe in La Paz, gear up in a wetsuit and snorkel kit, then ride with a captain into the whale shark zone. The group is capped at seven, and guides such as Fatima, Angel, Ana, and Katrin have led trips. Expect active swims, included snacks and drinks, and photo and video capture, though delivery is worth confirming.

“This was an incredible tour with a fantastic host Katrin! The boat ride is quick and we found a whale shark right away. It was about 15ft and we kind of just keep following it with the boat and then when we’re close enough we take turns jumping out and swimming with it. Everyone wore wetsuits because the water is very cold but we didn’t have to wear lifejackets which is always appreciated. It was windy and the waves were kind of big so it was a workout! The big fish can swim pretty fast and your just keeping up with it. Katrin took incredible photos and videos for everyone.…”

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4.Whale Shark Swim Adventure in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110Best value

Set out from La Paz into the Sea of Cortez to snorkel near whale sharks, with a guide explaining how to approach them safely. Groups are limited to 10, with swim turns of about five people. Guides have included Armando, Dellis, and Camilla, though your crew may differ. Water, snacks, and equipment are included; plan for possible waits and extra cash fees.

“Our guide, Armando, was very friendly and informative. We were able to get so close to the whale sharks..this is a must-do experience! Tip: if you are prone to sea-sickness, take some medicine beforehand. The waters were choppy on the day we went.”

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5.Whale Shark Adventure with a Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $170

Join a small-group whale shark swim in La Paz with a marine biologist and captain. Up to five people enter the water at a time, with a maximum of 30 minutes alongside each shark. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, snacks, and water are included. Crew members have included guides Francesca and Natalia, though the team can vary.

“Incredible moments to swim along with the sharks. Super peaceful, well prepared by the guides who took their time to explain everything and were super knowledgeable. It made the whole experience feel much better, respectful towards the sharks. Wonderful and would highly recommend anyone to take this tour. The small group size also helped.”

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6.La Paz Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $250

From Marina de La Paz, join a marine biologist and a group of up to 10 for whale shark snorkeling, sea lions at San Rafaelito, and a beach stop at Balandra. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, lunch, drinks, snacks, and underwater photos and videos are included. Turn times depend on boat-slot assignment.

“Christian and Marco were amazing and took great care of us. They got us so close to the whale sharks, it was unreal! And the homemade lunch they served on a beautiful beach was delicious! Fair warning, the tiny jellyfish in the water can be brutal, so might want to bring a full body wetsuit if you are sensitive to it.”

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7.Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $131

Meet Alonso Tours at La Paz’s Muelle Fiscal for a 2-to-4-hour search for whale sharks. Guides such as David, Gustavo, and Diego have led guests through repeated, supervised swims, with time to watch from the boat between turns. Snacks and purified water are provided. Bring swimming confidence, and check the snorkel gear and wetsuit rental details before booking.

“Vivian and Miguel were a great team! Informative, knowledgeable but not obtrusive. English is well understood”

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8.Whale sharks and sea lions snorkeling plus Balandra beach lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $250

Meet at Marina de La Paz at 9 am for a six-hour boat trip with a maximum of nine people. Snorkel in small groups with whale sharks, visit sea lions, and stop at Balandra for lunch. Gear, a guide, food, drinks, and GoPro photos and videos are included; guides on recent trips have included Karla, Kala, Carla, and Fabian.

“Our guides were able to find the whale sharks quite quickly and gave great instructions on how to swim with them. It was exhilarating! The sea lion colony was teaming with coral and fish. Lunch at the beach was wonderful and the scenery was amazing. Highly recommend going with Mexplore!!”

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9.Whale Shark Swimming Adventure: Small Group with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $208

Meet Eco Migrations in La Paz at 11 am for a wetsuit fitting and snorkel briefing, then take a short boat ride into the whale shark protected area. Guides including Erin and Tomas explain the animals and help you enter the water when a shark is found. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and keeping up can take effort.

“Erin, Jose and Martin were great guides. Was an exhilarating and fun experience and they were the best guides ever!”

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10.Snorkel with Whale Sharks in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $131

From La Paz’s Fiscal Dock, head toward El Mogote to look for whale sharks feeding on plankton in shallow water. Snorkeling gear is provided, and swimmers enter the water in groups of five. The trip takes about three hours, but park-ranger time slots can shift the start, so leave room in your schedule.

“The tour operators were extremely communicative and professional. The guide and captain worked together to accommodate the small group with varied swimming abilities. Their passion for conservation shown through the entire experience. Highly recommend this tour operator out of the myriad of available options.”

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11.Experiences with whale sharks in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149

Set out from Marina de La Paz with Salty Life in Baja for about three hours on the water, looking for whale sharks and swimming beside them when conditions allow. Certified bilingual guides and expert captains accompany a group of up to 16. Snorkel gear, fruit, water, sodas, and snacks are included.

“Incredible tour swimming with the beautiful sharks! Salty Life was our operator and they went above and beyond to provide and magical day!”

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12.Swim with Whale Sharks in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Meet at La Paz’s Fiscal Dock for a three-hour search for whale sharks near El Mogote, where plankton draws them close to shore from November through April. You snorkel in groups of five, with a marine biologist guide and a captain helping spot the animals. Guides on recent trips have included Alejandro and Omar, with captain Chucho.

“Everything was wonderful. Omar y Chucho were excellent. We interact with several whale sharks. Omar was superb educating us about the whale sharks and as a guide. Chucho was wonderful at the wheel and spotting the whale sharks. An experience that I will never forget. Improve to have a bathroom on board”

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13.Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling Picnic at Espiritu Santo Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $298

Set out from La Paz at 7:15 am for a nine-hour private-boat outing capped at eight people. Snorkel in the Bay of La Paz with whale sharks, visit the sea lion colony at La Lobera, and eat lunch in the Espiritu Santo Archipelago. Guides such as Diana and Chrissy share marine-life insights, and wetsuits, gear, food, drinks, and GoPro documentation are included.

“Julio, the boat captain, was knowledgeable and patient as he got us in and out of the specific sites and Diana was an amazing guide and interpreter. She clearly has a deep affection for sea lions and was able to describe the joy of life as well as the challenges that sea lions face mostly due to the bad behaviour of humans. It was more challenging to swim with the whale sharks, but again, Diana was patient in helping us fully enjoy the experience. I would totally take this tour again with Julio and Diana!”

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14.Snorkel with Whale Sharks in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 10 hours · from $259

Travel from Cabo to La Paz with a small group of up to 10, then head by boat into the Sea of Cortés to snorkel with whale sharks when conditions allow. Guides including Joe, Mario, and Joel have been praised for their care and positioning in the water. The day also includes a La Paz boardwalk stop and Baja-style tacos.

“What an incredible experience to swim alongside the whale sharks! Joel was an amazing guide, and really knew how to position people in the water to get the best possible sighting.”

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15.Snorkel with whale sharks includes equipment & transportation

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $299

Leave Cabo early for a full-day boat trip to La Paz, where you may snorkel near whale sharks, mobula rays, or a reef. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, breakfast, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Expect a small group of up to 12, a brief look at the Arch, and about six hours around La Paz.

“First, we were told that we’d be picked up at 6 AM then the evening before we were told they’d be picking us up at 4:20. Next, when we got there, we discovered that there were no full-size whale sharks, but only juveniles there were no near the size of a full size whale shark.”

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