You can now swim with whale sharks in La Paz two ways with us: on our own Hook boats, with 10 guests at most, or on a collective partner boat that takes up to 20. Every boat gets the same 2 hours in the whale shark zone. The difference is how many people share that time, and what's included.
The Short Answer
If your group is 10 or fewer, book the Hook small group. You get more turns in the water, a marine biologist guide, and photos and video of your swim. The collective boat is for groups of more than 10 who want to stay together on one boat, or for anyone who needs the lower price.
Side by Side
| Hook Small Group | Collective Boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Boat | Our own Hook boats | Partner boat |
| Group size | Max 10 guests | Up to 20 guests |
| Price per person | $2,800 MXN (≈$170 USD) | $2,000 MXN (≈$120 USD) |
| Time in the whale shark zone | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Swimmers in the water at once | Up to 5 (3–4 when the shark moves fast) | 5 |
| Guide | Marine biologist | Guide |
| Photos & video | Included | Not included |
| Wetsuit, snorkel gear, park fees | Included | Included |
| Check-in and boarding | The Hook, Malecón · Muelle Fiscal | The Hook, Malecón · Muelle Fiscal |
Why the Hook Boats Get You More
More turns in the water. Every boat has the same 2 hours in the zone, and CONANP allows at most 5 snorkelers with a whale shark at a time. On our boats, 10 guests take turns, up to 5 at a time, and we might send 3–4 when the shark is moving fast. On the collective boat, up to 20 guests take turns in groups of 5. On the collective boat it's the same epic experience, just a slower rotation for the group size.
Room to swim. With up to 5 people in the water (3–4 when the shark is moving fast), everyone has space to swim alongside the shark and your guide can keep the group close to it.
A marine biologist with you. Our guides are marine biologists. They tell you what the shark is doing and why, and they choose when your group goes in.
Photos and video, free. Your guide films and photographs your swims and we send everything after the tour. On the collective boat, photos and video are not included.
The difference is $800 MXN per person (about $50 USD). That buys you more time in the water, a marine biologist guide, and your photos and video.
When the Collective Boat Makes Sense
Groups of 11 to 20. Family reunions, friend groups and company outings that want to ride together. Our Hook boats take 10 at most on a shared tour, so a bigger group would otherwise split up.
A tighter budget. It's the same zone and the same rules, with the same quality gear and park fees included, at $2,000 MXN per person.
Every booking is made with The Hook, whether you ride on a Hook boat or a partner boat. We stand behind it and hold our partners to the same Hook standards.
If your group is 11 or 12 and wants a boat to itself, a private charter on our own boat takes up to 12 for $25,000 MXN per boat. Bigger than 12? Our larger partner boats can also go private for whale sharks; contact us.
The Same Day on Both
Both tours check in at The Hook on Paseo Álvaro Obregón, on the Malecón, and board at Muelle Fiscal. CONANP assigns each boat a time slot, and we confirm yours by WhatsApp the day before. The whole trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. The season runs from mid-November through April.
Ready to Book?
Not sure which fits your group? WhatsApp us your dates and group size and we'll tell you.
Book Small Group → Book Collective →