Bucket List Alert! 3 Epic La Paz Whale Shark Tours From Cabo
We can’t get enough of snorkeling with whale sharks in La Paz. We’ve gone three times from Cabo now! It’s goosebump-worthy – and one of the most unforgettable things you can do on your Cabo vacation.
From October to March, whale sharks gather in La Paz’s plankton-rich bay to feed, giving lucky snorkelers the rare chance to swim right beside the ocean’s largest fish.
The only catch? If you’re staying in Cabo, it’s an all-day trip to La Paz – about a 2- to 2½-hour drive each way.
That’s where organized tours come in. We’ve picked the three best La Paz whale shark tours from Cabo (complete with roundtrip transfers), so you can enjoy this bucket list adventure in a way that’s stress-free, safe, responsible – and seriously fun!
Quick snapshot of the 3 best tours
Luxury catamaran experience
Deluxe whale shark trip, with sea lions and Balandra Bay too!
Popular and great-value tour
Fun day trip with Cabo Adventures (highly rated!)
Educational adventure
Cabo Trek’s whale shark tour with a marine biologist (plus a bonus stop in Todos Santos!)
Contents: Top Cabo whale shark tours to La Paz
3 Awesome La Paz whale shark tours from Cabo
1) Baja Charters’ luxury catamaran excursion
If you’re going to splurge on one epic adventure from Cabo, Baja Charters is it. We’ve enjoyed their premier whale shark tour twice (see our review) – and both times, the whole day trip wowed us!
What makes their trips different is that they operate their own luxury catamaran in La Paz, used as a “mother ship” for the day.
After arriving in La Paz, you step aboard the Island Cat, a roomy 60-foot sailing catamaran that usually hosts just six to 12 guests (though it’s licensed for 30). That means there’s plenty of space to stretch out on deck (or inside), sip a cocktail and enjoy the scenery as you cruise La Paz Bay.
Once the whale shark regulatory authorities give the green light, you switch to a smaller 30-foot skiff for the whale shark encounters. From here, you slide into the water for exhilarating swims with the ocean’s gentle giants.
Back on the Island Cat, snacks and drinks await as you continue to stunning Balandra Bay, with its powdery sand and turquoise waters. There’s also time to snorkel with playful sea lions at San Rafaelito before sitting down to a freshly prepared hot lunch on the boat.
With gourmet food, an open bar, an attentive crew and the rare luxury of hot showers onboard, this tour turns an adventure into an experience you’ll be talking about long after!
Here’s just one rave review!
Baja Charters is absolutely worth it!
Our entire tour group could not stop raving about how great this experience was. The entire staff… was amazing. Personable, funny, accommodating, and professional. Every aspect was fantastic.
We got multiple opportunities to swim with whale sharks and everyone left feeling like they got at least one good swim. They accommodated all ages from older to kids…The surprising part was how fun the 2nd portion of the trip was. Swimming with the sea lions was optional but SO MUCH FUN! Definitely take advantage of that part too.
The food and drinks on board were great as well. I generally have low expectations for this portion of trips but [we ate] well from the minute we got on the boat and there was always a beverage available if we needed one.
Baja may cost a little bit more than some other options but I assure you it is well worth the added expense. Would recommend to anyone!Ryan
Details, what’s included and cost
- Roundtrip hotel transfers from Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (anywhere in Los Cabos)
- Sailing on the 60-foot Island Cat
- Wetsuits and snorkeling gear
- Snorkeling with whale sharks from a smaller powerboat
- A freshly-made hot breakfast and lunch, plus mid-morning snacks
- An open bar with premium drinks, plus water and soft drinks
- Fresh towels
- Bonus visit to Balandra Bay, followed by swimming with sea lions at San Rafaelito
- When do tours go? Check booking availability online (or email chartersbaja@gmail.com)
- Cost = $375 per adult ($275 children 6 to 11; free kids under 6)
2) Cabo Adventures’ popular and great-value tour
Cabo Adventures is one of the biggest and most respected operators in Los Cabos – and for good reason. We’ve joined their excursions before (like their Balandra Bay trip) and have always been impressed by their professional guides, smooth logistics and top-notch service.
Their whale shark day trip is ideal if you want comfort and reliability with a trusted operator, but don’t need the bells and whistles of a luxury catamaran.
Your day starts early with a 6:00 am hotel pickup in Cabo. You ride in an air-conditioned minivan to La Paz, meet your bilingual guide and local boat captain, and suit up with your snorkel gear. Then it’s off in a traditional panga boat to swim with the whale sharks.
Afterward, you relish a late lunch (think freshly made fish tacos) along the La Paz Malecon before heading back to Cabo late in the afternoon.
Here’s just one rave review!
A must-do experience!
It was truly a once in a lifetime bucket list adventure.
They guided us and walked us through the experience the whole time. We knew exactly what to expect because of their instruction and [they] were extremely thorough, patient and kind. My 10-year old freaked out at first, and when she saw it was ok, [they] patiently held her hand while swimming in the ocean until she was more confident.
My family has a new love and understanding of whale sharks due to this experience. Thank you Cabo Adventures for this extremely high-quality experience.
Erica
Details, what’s included and cost
- Roundtrip hotel transfers from Los Cabos
- Wetsuits and snorkel gear
- Panga ride to the whale shark zone in La Paz
- Mexican lunch
- When do tours go? Check online
- Cost = $259 p.p. (minimum age 8 years old; 15% discount for kids 8 to 11)
3) Cabo Trek’s educational adventure
Looking for a tour that’s not just fun but also full of fascinating insights? Cabo Trek is the way to go – they’re all about eco-education.
They run their tours in partnership with the Whale Shark Research Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving these amazing creatures.
The day kicks off early at Cabo Trek’s office in Cabo San Lucas. From there, a minibus takes you to La Paz.
After a short safety briefing, you hop aboard your boat with a certified marine biologist, who makes sure you learn as much as you splash. With only 4 to 8 guests per tour, you get plenty of personal attention – and the chance for multiple swims with whale sharks during about three hours on the water.
Back on shore, lunch is a spread of tacos and quesadillas at a local restaurant.
On the way home, there’s one more treat – a stop in Todos Santos, a picture-perfect Pueblo Magico known for its artsy vibe.
Here’s just one rave review!
Whale sharks everywhere!
Wow! Everything was incredible! [They were] awesome – took us to a GREAT breakfast spot. Lots of awesome conversation.
And then our whale shark guide, Fatima, was out of this world!!! She was fun and knew so much and some really powerful stories to tell!
We were on the boat for a half hour to the whale shark spot which was totally worth it – we saw three whale sharks including a baby!!!
Mai
Details, what’s included and cost
- Transfers from Cabo Trek’s office (located at Hotel Tesoro in Cabo San Lucas)
- Snorkeling gear
- University-trained marine biologist guide
- Boat ride to the whale shark area
- Lunch in La Paz (tacos and quesadillas) plus snacks
- Bonus stop at Todos Santos on the return
- When do tours go? Tuesday and Friday
- Cost = $349 p.p. (minimum age 8 years old)
What to expect on a tour
- Early pickup in Cabo – Settle into your air-conditioned tour van for the 2- to 2½-hour scenic drive to La Paz.
- Check-in and briefing – On arrival in La Paz, meet your guides, hear the safety rundown, gear up with snorkels, wetsuits and life vests before boarding your boat or panga. (With Baja Charters, you first board their large catamaran to cruise out into the bay, then transfer to a smaller boat once it’s time to swim with the whale sharks.)
- Whale shark time! – Spend 2 to 3 hours in the whale shark zone, with typically two to three separate jumps from the skiff or panga.
- Lunch break – Refuel with a tasty meal, either onboard (with Baja Charters) or at a local La Paz restaurant.
- Return transfer – Relax on the ride back to Cabo, arriving by late afternoon/early evening with epic memories.
Practical tips
- Best time to go – Whale sharks gather in La Paz from October through March, with peak sightings in winter, i.e., December, January and February. (On one trip, we met a couple who’d tried in October with no luck – so they returned in December, joined our tour and finally got their whale shark encounter.)
- What to bring – Wear your swimsuit and pack a hat, towel (no need for Baja Charters’ tours, as they provide towels), reef-safe sunscreen (to protect the marine environment) and motion sickness tablets if you’re prone to seasickness.
- Who it’s good for – These tours are ideal for adventurous singles, couples and families looking for a one-of-a-kind experience. You don’t need to be an expert swimmer. But you should feel at ease in the open water, and some prior snorkeling experience is helpful. Everyone wears a flotation vest while snorkeling.
- Age and health restrictions – Minimum ages vary by operator (often 8+). As tours involve swimming in the open water, you should check any health restrictions in advance.
Whale shark tour FAQs
How long is the day?
Expect a 10- to 12-hour excursion from Cabo, including transfers, snorkeling and lunch.
Is it safe?
Yes. It’s safe for both you and the whale sharks.
They’re filter feeders, which eat plankton and krill. They slowly sway their heads side to side to funnel these tiny organisms into their cavernous mouths, where special pads act like sieves before food passes to their throats.
Also, the tours in La Paz are highly regulated to protect them (and you). Licensed guides are with you every step of the way, enforcing safety rules and respectful interactions, so you can enjoy this awe-inspiring experience with peace of mind.
Do you always see whale sharks?
Sightings are extremely likely during the season, but they’re still wild creatures – so while nothing is guaranteed, most tours report very high success rates.
Can non-swimmers join?
Absolutely. If you’re not comfortable in the water, you can stay onboard the boat and enjoy the outing as a spectator. You can often spot whale sharks right from the boat – we’ve seen them really close beside us!
Wrapping up the whale shark fun
Swimming with whale sharks in La Paz is one of those bucket-list thrills you’ll never forget:
- If your budget stretches, Baja Charters is the deluxe way to go (with sea lions too!).
- For solid all-round value, Cabo Adventures is a top choice.
- Cabo Trek is perfect if you want a strong eco-education focus.
All of these tours include roundtrip transfers from Cabo, so you can just sit back and enjoy the adventure. Whichever you pick, don’t wait too long – these tours are super popular and can sell out fast.
Have more fun in Cabo!
Our favorite resources for planning a trip to Cabo
Resorts: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel in Cabo – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!) Expedia is also worth checking for discounted hotel rates in Cabo.
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local guided tours in Cabo, see Viator and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car in Los Cabos is one of the best ways to explore. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation and travel security.
Need more help?
- See our Start here page. It lists everything we’ve written on Cabo.
- Also check our ultimate Cabo travel guide and our article on Planning your Cabo vacation: What you should know.
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