Whale Shark Tour · La PazMax 10 Guests on Hook Boats.
Double the Water Time.

Whale shark season runs from mid-November through April, and every month is a great time to swim with them. Numbers build at the start of the season and taper off toward the end. La Paz is one of the most reliable Whale Shark destinations in the world — far more consistent than open-ocean encounters elsewhere.

Not as a rule. CONANP counts the sharks in the swimming zone at least twice a week, and swimming runs whenever the count averages six or more; it pauses only if it drops to five or fewer. Pauses have happened (early 2023 and early 2025), but the 2025–26 season ran without one from November 12 to April 30. If CONANP ever pauses swimming on your date, we contact you right away, with a 100% refund or the option to reschedule. More on the season status →

Yes — and it's better to book directly with a La Paz operator rather than a Cabo package. Cabo tour companies bus 40+ tourists to La Paz and charge $4,300–5,200 MXN (≈$255–310 USD) with significant markup. The Hook is the direct local operator: max 10 guests, $2,800 MXN (≈$170 USD), marine biologist guide, no middleman. La Paz is 2.5 hours from Cabo. The Whale Sharks are here, not there.

No prior snorkeling experience is needed but you must be a confident swimmer. Our guides brief you fully before entering the water and stay with you throughout. Life vests are always available. Because Whale Shark encounters happen at the surface — federal rules keep everyone snorkeling rather than free-diving — this tour isn't advisable for guests with heart, back, or respiratory conditions, or who are in an advanced stage of pregnancy.

We cannot guarantee wildlife — no honest operator can. In 6 years of running Whale Shark tours in La Paz Bay we have had exactly one day without an encounter, when an exceptional drop in ocean temperature ended the season early. La Paz Bay is one of the most reliable Whale Shark destinations on earth — this is a seasonal aggregation, not a migration sighting. As with any wildlife tour, sightings are never guaranteed, and no refund or credit is offered if a Whale Shark is not spotted during your tour.

There are four official daily departure slots — 7 am, 10 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm. We typically shoot for noon and have a strong record of securing it. If you need an earlier or later slot, let us know in advance and we will request it. CONANP assigns official times the afternoon before your tour date.

Yes — guests who prefer to stay on the boat can observe Whale Sharks from the surface. The animals frequently pass directly alongside the boat. However, the in-water experience is what makes La Paz Bay unique. All guests are encouraged but never required to enter the water, and life vests are always available.

Show up 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time at The Hook on the Malecón, near 16 de Septiembre and the Kiosko del Malecón. Your guide fits your gear and runs through what to expect before you head out. Your confirmation email has the exact meeting details.