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

Under NOM-171-SEMARNAT-2018, CONANP authorizes a maximum of 56 boats per day across the whole La Paz Whale Shark refuge, split into 4 daily shifts of 14 boats each. Only one boat may be within 5 meters of a given Whale Shark at a time — any other boat holds at least 50 meters back until that boat's 30-minute turn ends, approaching in a diagonal line from behind at under 3 knots (5.5 km/h).

Completely safe. Whale Sharks are filter feeders — they eat only plankton and pose absolutely zero threat to humans. Our marine biologist guides have swum with them hundreds of times and stay in the water with you throughout.

Whale Sharks are present in La Paz Bay from November through April, with peak season November through March. La Paz is one of the most reliable Whale Shark destinations in the world — far more consistent than open-ocean encounters elsewhere.

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 with significant markup. The Hook is the direct local operator: max 10 guests, $2,800 MXN, marine biologist guide, no middleman. La Paz is 2.5 hours from Cabo. The Whale Sharks are here, not there.

The Hook Experiences limits every Whale Shark departure to a maximum of 10 guests — the smallest group size of any permitted operator in La Paz Bay. Every tour is led by a certified marine biologist. Groups rotate into the water in sets of 3–4, meaning every guest gets multiple turns alongside the Whale Sharks rather than one brief rotation shared among dozens of passengers.

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.

Only a limited number of boats are permitted in the Whale Shark zone at once, so each operator is given a rotating turn by the authorities each day. We submit our request as early as the system allows and hold our preferred slot the large majority of the time — but on busier days the start time can shift by an hour or so. If that happens, we call or message you directly rather than leaving you guessing at the dock.

Baja's weather is reliable for most of the season, but if a system rolls through that makes the crossing unsafe, we usually see it coming a day or two out and reach out before you've even left for the Malecón to reschedule or refund. Keep the phone number or email you booked with active during your stay in La Paz — that's how we'll reach you if plans change. As with any open-water tour, small jellyfish are occasionally present, though rarely a problem in a wetsuit.

Yes — children 5 and older who are comfortable in the water are very welcome. Whale Sharks are gentle filter feeders and the experience is extraordinary for young people.

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.

100% refund if we cancel for any reason, or if you cancel 7 or more days before your tour. 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 contact us at +52 612 243 6462 or thehookexperiences@gmail.com.

The Hook Whale Shark tour costs $2,800 MXN per person. This includes full wetsuit, snorkel equipment, CONANP permits, marine biologist guide, and water and snacks on board. Tours depart from the La Paz Malecón November through April. No hidden fees.

Yes — for The Hook's standard Whale Shark tour aboard The Hook's own boats (this does not apply to the Grand Slam or a private charter). Book any date in the 2026-27 season during September and save $500 MXN per person using code EARLYBIRD500 at FareHarbor checkout. The booking must be made by September 30 — the tour date itself can be any day in the November-April season.

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.

Water temperature in La Paz Bay during Whale Shark season (November–April) ranges from approximately 20°C (68°F) in winter months to 24°C (75°F) in spring. Full wetsuits are provided and recommended. The Bay is calm and protected — conditions are generally excellent for snorkeling throughout the season.

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.