Frequently Asked
Questions

Whale shark season in La Paz runs from November through April. Peak season is December through March — the largest aggregations, best visibility, and most consistent encounters. January and February are the absolute peak months. The season opens once CONANP confirms a minimum of 14 whale sharks sighted in the bay over 2–3 consecutive days. In some years this means a mid-November start rather than November 1st.

January and February are the best months — largest sharks, highest density, best underwater visibility. December and March are excellent. November is early season with smaller sharks and fewer crowds. April is late season but still reliable. Avoid planning your trip specifically around whale sharks outside November–April.

Yes. CONANP can suspend tours if the number of whale sharks in the bay drops below 7 — this happened briefly in February 2023, 2024, and 2025 when cold water events temporarily reduced the aggregation. The Hook monitors daily CONANP updates and contacts all booked guests immediately if this occurs. Operator cancellations receive a 100% refund or rebooking.

Different season, different experience. Holbox and Cancún operate May–September in open ocean — sightings are less predictable and the encounter is more like a brief swim alongside one animal. La Paz operates November–April in a protected bay with a consistent aggregation. La Paz typically offers more time in the water, smaller groups, and more encounters per tour. If your dates fall in summer, Holbox is excellent. November–April, La Paz is the best whale shark destination in the world.

Extremely reliable during season. In 6 years of operation The Hook has had one day without a whale shark encounter — an exceptional cold water event that ended that season early. La Paz Bay is a seasonal aggregation, not a migration sighting. The whale sharks come here to feed on concentrated plankton and return year after year to the same location.

CONANP assigns departure times to each permitted operator the afternoon before your tour date. The Hook confirms your exact departure time via WhatsApp that evening. Noon departure is standard outside peak season. During peak season (December–February) times vary based on the official CONANP schedule. Do not book flights or activities that morning without confirmation.

The Hook departs from Muelle Fiscal (the main municipal pier) on the La Paz Malecón — Paseo Alvaro Obregon. Meet us at The Hook office on the Malecón at your confirmed departure time. We are within walking distance of most La Paz city center hotels.

Approximately 4 hours total — transit to the whale shark zone (20–40 minutes each way) plus 2 hours in the CONANP-designated zone. The 2-hour zone window is the regulatory maximum per vessel per day.

The Hook rotates guests in groups of 3–4. Most guests enter the water 3–5 times during the 2-hour zone window. Each rotation lasts as long as the whale shark is present and cooperating — anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. This is significantly more water time than operators who rotate 30–50 guests through the same window.

Maximum 10 guests per boat — the smallest group size of any permitted operator in La Paz Bay. CONANP regulations allow up to 5 snorkelers plus one guide in the water at any time. The Hook sends 3–4 at a time so everyone gets multiple turns without crowding the animal.

No prior snorkeling experience required, but you must be a confident and comfortable swimmer. Your marine biologist guide provides a full briefing before entering the water and stays with you throughout. Life vests are always available. If you have never snorkeled before, practice breathing through a snorkel mask in calm shallow water before the tour — it makes the experience significantly better.

Yes. You're welcome to bring your own mask, fins, and snorkel. If you have prescription lenses or a preferred fit, bringing your own mask is a good idea. Full wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, and life vest are all provided at no additional cost.

A full wetsuit is provided and included in the tour price. CONANP regulations require that every guest in the water wears either a wetsuit or a lifejacket — both are provided at no extra cost. Water temperature during whale shark season ranges from approximately 20°C (68°F) in November–January to 24°C (75°F) in March–April.

Yes — a GoPro or underwater camera is highly recommended. Flash photography is strictly prohibited as it damages whale sharks' sensitive eyes. Please remove flash from your camera settings before entering the water. Your guide can often help position you for the best shots.

Biodegradable reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory — chemical sunscreen is prohibited near whale sharks), swimsuit worn under clothes, light windbreaker or jacket for the boat ride back, water bottle (1L minimum), light snack, camera or GoPro (no flash), and seasickness medication if you're prone. Do not bring chemical sunscreen — you will be asked to wash it off before boarding.

Yes — La Paz has among the strictest whale shark tourism regulations in the world. CONANP limits the number of boats simultaneously in the zone, restricts time to 2 hours per vessel, and mandates that only 5 snorkelers plus one certified guide enter the water at once. No touching, no flash photography, 3-meter minimum distance. The Hook uses only biodegradable sunscreen, employs certified marine biologist guides, and contributes to whale shark research. Done correctly, responsible whale shark tourism in La Paz is a net positive for conservation.

Not at all. Whale sharks are filter feeders — they eat only plankton, small fish eggs, and tiny crustaceans. Their throats are physically incapable of swallowing anything larger than a small fish. They have no interest in humans and are among the most docile large animals in the ocean. The regulations exist to protect the whale sharks from us — not the other way around.

Chemical sunscreen compounds — particularly oxybenzone and octinoxate — are harmful to whale shark mucous membranes and the plankton they depend on for food. The Bay of La Paz is a CONANP protected area. The Hook strictly enforces biodegradable sunscreen only. You will be asked to wash off chemical sunscreen before boarding. Biodegradable sunscreen is available for purchase at The Hook office if needed.

CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas) governs all whale shark tourism in La Paz Bay. Key rules: maximum 5 snorkelers plus one certified guide per whale shark simultaneously, 2-hour zone access per vessel per day, no touching, no riding, no flash photography, 3-meter minimum approach distance, biodegradable sunscreen only, no feeding. The season only opens when 14+ whale sharks are confirmed in the zone over 2–3 consecutive days.

No — and this rule is non-negotiable. Touching whale sharks disturbs their protective mucous coating and disrupts their natural behavior. CONANP prohibits any physical contact. Beyond the regulation: you won't need to touch them. Being within 3 meters of a 10-meter animal is more than enough.

Yes — children aged 5 and older who are comfortable swimmers are welcome on The Hook's whale shark tours. The experience is extraordinary for young people and the marine biology briefing is tailored to all ages. Children must be able to swim comfortably in open water and breathe through a snorkel. We do not have a strict minimum age — we assess on a case-by-case basis. Contact us by WhatsApp to discuss your child's swimming ability before booking.

No. All guests must be comfortable swimmers. Life vests are available and guests are not required to enter the water, but the core experience requires swimming. The sea in La Paz Bay is calm and protected — not rough open ocean — but swimming ability is essential for safety.

La Paz Bay is a protected, sheltered inlet — conditions are generally calmer than open ocean. Most guests experience no seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication the evening before (not the morning of — many seasickness medications cause drowsiness and need time to take effect). Ginger candy and focusing on the horizon also help. Tell your guide before departure if you're concerned.

Contact us before booking to discuss your specific situation. The whale shark tour involves boarding a panga (motorized skiff) at a dock, which requires some physical agility. We do our best to accommodate all guests and will advise honestly on whether the tour is feasible for your specific needs.

The Hook monitors sea and wind conditions continuously. If conditions are unsafe, we cancel and offer a full refund or priority rebooking. La Paz Bay is well-sheltered and cancellations for weather are infrequent. If CONANP suspends zone access due to insufficient whale shark numbers, you also receive a full refund or rebooking at no charge.

Book online 24/7 via FareHarbor at lapazwhalesharks.com — select your tour, date, and number of guests. Payment is processed securely in MXN via Mercado Pago. You can also contact us directly via WhatsApp at +52 612 243 6462 for availability, custom group bookings, or private charter requests.

Online bookings via FareHarbor accept major credit and debit cards through Mercado Pago. Direct bookings by WhatsApp or in person at The Hook office on the Malecón accept cash (MXN), bank transfer, and card. We do not accept USD cash as payment.

Peak season (December–February): book 4–6 weeks in advance. Holiday periods (Christmas, New Year, Valentine's week, Semana Santa) book out 6–8 weeks ahead. Shoulder season (November, March, April): 1–3 weeks is usually sufficient. Last-minute bookings in shoulder season — contact us by WhatsApp for same-week availability.

100% refund if you cancel 7 or more days before your tour, or if The Hook cancels for any reason. 50% refund if you cancel between 48 hours and 7 days before departure. No refund for cancellations within 48 hours of the tour or no-shows. To cancel: +52 612 243 6462 or booking@lapazwhalesharks.com.

Yes. All tours can be booked as private charters for your group — exclusive use of the boat. Private charter pricing varies by tour. Contact us via WhatsApp at +52 612 243 6462 or email info@lapazwhalesharks.com for a private tour quote.

Yes. The Hook boats hold a maximum of 10 guests. For groups larger than 10 we work with trusted partner captains and guides — people we have known and worked with for 6 years who share our standards and conservation values. All tours can be arranged for large groups: whale sharks, Isla Espíritu Santo, Sea Safari Norte, Balandra, Gray Whale, Fishing, and Sandboarding. Contact us via WhatsApp at +52 612 243 6462 or email info@lapazwhalesharks.com to discuss your group size and we will build the right arrangement.

Contact us directly for groups of 6 or more. We can discuss pricing and private charter options that may be more cost-effective for larger groups than individual bookings.

Direct flights from Mexico City (AICM and AIFA) to La Paz International Airport (LAP) take approximately 2 hours. Airlines serving this route include Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Vivaaerobus. La Paz airport is 15 minutes from the city center and Malecón by taxi or rideshare.

By car: approximately 2.5 hours north on Mexico Highway 1 (Transpeninsular Highway). The road is well-maintained and the drive passes through spectacular Baja desert. By air: short flights operate between Los Cabos International (SJD) and La Paz (LAP) — approximately 30 minutes. For a whale shark tour, driving from Cabo and booking directly with The Hook saves $2,000–$4,000 MXN per person compared to Cabo package tours.

La Paz is consistently rated one of the safest cities in Mexico. It is the state capital of Baja California Sur with a population of approximately 250,000. The Malecón waterfront — where The Hook is located — is the social center of the city, busy and welcoming at all hours. La Paz has a large expat and tourist community and a very low crime rate compared to most Mexican cities.

Most visitors stay near the Malecón (downtown waterfront). This puts you within walking distance of The Hook, the best restaurants, and the main plaza. Los Barriles and other beach towns require a car and longer transit to reach the Malecón. We recommend staying in the city center for easy access to your tour departure.

The Hook operates year-round tours including: Isla Espíritu Santo (UNESCO World Heritage island, sea lions, full day), Sea Safari Norte (mobula rays, orcas, dolphins, 8 hours, max 6 guests), Playa Balandra by boat (private boat to Mexico's most beautiful beach), Gray Whale Puerto Chale (January–March, transport included), Fly Fishing and Sportfishing (year-round, catch and release roosterfish), and Sandboarding El Mogote (dunes with views of both the Sea of Cortez and Pacific, all ages).

Sea Safari Norte operates year-round and is especially extraordinary in summer — mobula rays aggregate in enormous schools (tens of thousands) in the Sea of Cortez from approximately March–July. Isla Espíritu Santo with sea lions operates year-round. Playa Balandra by boat, Sandboarding El Mogote, and Fishing are all available year-round. La Paz has extraordinary marine wildlife in every season.

Sea Safari Norte is an 8-hour open-water expedition departing at 7:30am with a maximum of 6 guests. The route heads north into the Cerralvo Channel in search of whatever the Sea of Cortez is showing that day — mobula rays in schools of thousands, orcas, dolphins, humpback whales, giant mantas. No fixed itinerary — the guide adapts the day to the animals. Fresh ceviche is prepared and served on a remote beach. Available as shared (individual bookings) or private (groups).

The full-day Isla Espíritu Santo tour includes: certified bilingual marine biologist guide, boat and certified captain, full snorkel equipment, wetsuit, CONANP entry bracelet (park entrance fee — included, no cash needed at the gate), beach lunch of fresh ceviche and sandwiches at a private cove. The sea lion colony at Los Islotes is accessible September–May. June–August an alternative snorkel site is substituted due to the seasonal CONANP closure of the sea lion area.