🦈  Now Accepting Reservations for Whale Shark Season Nov 2026 – Apr 2027 · La Paz, Baja California Sur · Small Groups · Marine Biologist Guides Reserve Now →
La Paz, Baja California Sur · Sea of Cortez

Small Group Ocean Tours
La Paz, Baja California Sur

Marine biologist-led expeditions into the Sea of Cortez. Don't just look into the world's aquarium. Jump in.

View All Tours Visiting From Cabo?
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Marine Biologist Guides Expert-led every tour
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Max 10 on The Hook Boats Collective options available
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Conservation First Sea of Cortez protected
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Bilingual Team English & Spanish
The Sea of Cortez · La Paz, Baja California Sur

"La Paz is everything Cabo promised to be. No crowds, no mega-resorts — just wild marine life, turquoise water, and the sea Jacques Cousteau called "the world's aquarium." The Hook Experiences puts you inside all of it."

891+
Fish Species
39%
Marine Mammals
6K+
Total Species
Our Experiences

Every Tour
Goes Deep

Max 10 on The Hook boats · Collective options available · Marine biologist guides

Nov – Apr · Signature Tour

Whale Shark Experience

Swim alongside the world's largest fish in La Paz Bay. Wild, ethical, marine biologist guided.

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Year-Round · Full Day

Isla Espiritu Santo

UNESCO World Heritage island. Sea lions, sardine balls, and the finest snorkeling in Baja.

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Year-Round · Wildlife

Sea Safari Norte

Sea lions, Mobula rays, dolphins, orcas. Migratory whales in season. Baja's wildest ocean encounters.

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Year-Round · Private

Balandra Experience

Mexico's most beautiful beach. Private boat, sea lions, beach lunch, pure Baja magic.

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Year-Round · Half or Full Day

Fly Fishing & Sportfishing

Fly fish for roosterfish (pez gallo) on the fly. Dorado, Marlin, Wahoo. World record waters at Isla Cerralvo.

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Sandboarding El Mogote dunes La Paz
Year-Round · 4 Hours

Sandboarding El Mogote

Surf 100-foot dunes where the desert meets the sea. All ages, no experience needed, epic sunset runs.

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"The Gulf of California teems and boils with life.
There is no place in the world more alive."
— John Steinbeck · Log from the Sea of Cortez · 1940
32
Marine Mammal Species
Humpback, gray, fin, sperm, blue & more
21
Dolphin Species
More than anywhere on earth
9
Whale Species
Humpback, gray, fin, sperm, blue & orca
5
Sea Turtle Species
All nesting in Baja waters
🦈 Whale Sharks 🐋 Gray Whales 🦭 Sea Lions 🐬 Dolphins 🐟 Mobula Rays 🐳 Orcas 🐢 Sea Turtles 🦋 Giant Mantas
The Hook Difference

Don't just look into
the world's aquarium. Dive in.

Most ocean tours are zoos. Scheduled. Crowded. Transactional. You watch from a boat while someone else swims. You wait your turn. You get a glimpse.

That is not The Hook. Every tour we run puts you inside the ocean — wild animals in their natural habitat, experienced up close, in small groups, guided by marine biologists who have dedicated their lives to this sea.

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Whale Sharks — Not a Boat Ride

Most operators put 5 people in the water from a boat of 20+. We go with max 10 on The Hook boat, enter the water in groups of 3–4. You are in the water with them — not watching from the boat.

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Sea Safari — Not a Wildlife Drive-By

Surrounded by 200 common dolphins, Mobula rays launching from the water, orcas surfacing at the bow. You are inside the wildlife. Not watching it.

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Sea Lions — Not a Crowded Snorkel Stop

Los Islotes is home to nearly 1,000 sea lions — and our guides know them. There is always a playful pup or five ready to spiral around you, look you in the eye, and steal the show. This is their world. You're just lucky enough to be in it.

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Balandra — Not a Beach Club Day Trip

Private boat, secluded beach, fresh ceviche in the sand. Mexico's most beautiful beach. Just you and the Sea of Cortez.

"The Sea of Cortez is not a theme park. It is the world's aquarium. We treat it that way — and so will you."

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Our Story

We Ate the Plums.
We Never Left.

"They say that whoever eats the plums of El Mogote stays in La Paz forever — or if they leave, they always come back. The plums are a powerful magnet. There is no escaping them."
— Legend of Las Ciruelas del Mogote · La Paz, Baja California Sur
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Evan's photo
coming soon

🇺🇸 Montana, USA

Evan

Founder · The Hook Experiences

Evan arrived in La Paz from Montana and on his very first night heard about the whale sharks. The next morning he was in the water with them. That was six years ago. He never went home. What started as a love for the sea became a mission — to share the world's aquarium with anyone willing to make the journey.

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Memo's photo
coming soon

🇲🇽 Yucatán, México

Memo

Co-Founder · The Hook Experiences

Memo grew up in Mérida, Yucatán with a deep passion for nature, adventure, and the natural world. When he first visited La Paz he immediately recognized something extraordinary — a sea unlike anything he had encountered. He stayed. Together with Evan he built The Hook around a shared conviction that great guides are people who genuinely love what they protect.

Staying in Los Cabos?

La Paz is
2 hours away.

Millions of visitors land in Cabo every year searching for wild marine life, authentic Mexico, and experiences that go deeper than the resort pool. What they are looking for is here.

Plan Your La Paz Day Trip →
1

Whale Sharks — Not in Cabo

La Paz Bay is one of the only places on earth to reliably swim with wild whale sharks.

2

UNESCO Island 30 Min Away

Isla Espiritu Santo — a World Heritage site with sea lions, rays, and reefs Cabo cannot match.

3

891+ Species vs Cabo's Crowds

The Sea of Cortez has 39% of the world's marine mammals. Max 10 on The Hook boats — collective options also available.

4

The Real Baja California Sur

La Paz is the state capital. It has been the heart of Baja since Cortés landed here in 1535.

TripAdvisor Reviews

What Guests Are Saying

5-star rated · Top tours in La Paz, Baja California Sur

⭐ Read All Reviews on TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Isla Espiritu Santo · Dec 2023
WOW WHAT A TRIP!!
"Everyone involved was so friendly and knowledgeable. We encountered bottlenose dolphins — our captain got us up close and personal. Then we swam with the sea lions. The walls of silverfish rippling under the water amongst the multicolored coral... something we will treasure all of our days. On the way home we ran into two whales and our captain pulled us alongside. We pulled into port at exactly sunset. Definitely the best bang for the buck."
TripAdvisor Guest December 2023
★★★★★
Whale Shark Tour · Apr 2026
Great Time in La Paz!
"Our guide Alex was knowledgeable, helpful, and exhibited great enthusiasm. Only 5 people on our tour. You are really not prepared to see the whale sharks until you see them up close. For anyone who has never swam with aquatic life before, this is the best introduction you could hope for."
TripAdvisor Guest April 2026
★★★★★
Sea Safari · Apr 2025
Sea safari of my dreams!
"Swam with sea lions, saw an octopus, manta ray, eel, huge lobster. Lunch of ceviche on a deserted beach. Evan and Memo were so great — we left a hair clip on the boat and it was waiting at The Hook the next day. We were so well taken care of!"
TripAdvisor Guest April 2025
★★★★★
Sea Safari · Mar 2025
Best experience in Baja!
"Amazing day with Evan and his crew. Our guide was so knowledgeable and had the sweetest personality. We saw grey whales, humpbacks, sea lions and soooo many rays! The beach for lunch was one of the prettiest I've ever seen."
TripAdvisor Guest March 2025
★★★★★
Balandra · May 2025
Unforgettable experience
"Kind, knowledgeable and professional staff. The trip was well designed, fresh and tasty food, and helpful guides. We hope to do this again!"
TripAdvisor Guest May 2025
★★★★★
Fishing · May 2025
Amazing Rooster fishing!
"My husband and I had an absolutely amazing time fishing with Evan! We caught various kinds of fish and can't wait to go again. This has become an annual trip for us."
TripAdvisor Guest May 2025
⭐ Read All Reviews on TripAdvisor
Before You Book

Frequently Asked Questions

What months can you swim with whale sharks in La Paz?+
Whale sharks are present in La Paz Bay from November through April, with peak season running November to March. La Paz is one of the most reliable whale shark destinations in the world — wild, free-swimming animals that are not baited or fed.
How far is La Paz from Los Cabos?+
La Paz is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours north of Cabo San Lucas by car. Many guests fly into Los Cabos International Airport and drive or take a shuttle to La Paz. We can help you plan the logistics.
Is whale shark snorkeling safe for children?+
Yes. Whale sharks are filter feeders and completely harmless to humans. Children 5 and older who are comfortable in the water are welcome on our tours. Our guides stay in the water with all guests at all times.
How small are your groups?+
Maximum 10 guests on The Hook boats — always. For larger groups, we work with our trusted partners: captains and guides we have known for 6 years, friends built through these relationships, who share our values and our standards. Collective tour options are also available for Isla Espiritu Santo and whale sharks — ask us and we will find the right fit for your group.
What makes The Hook different from other La Paz tour operators?+
Marine biologist guides on every tour. Maximum 10 guests on The Hook boats. Trusted partner network for larger groups and collective tours — relationships built over 6 years. Conservation-first philosophy. And a founder who first fell in love with La Paz in 2014 and never truly left.

Still have questions? We are here to help.

Contact Us →
🦈 Ready to Book? Reserve Your Tour Now · lapazwhalesharks.com
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