Quick Answer
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.
When Is Whale Shark Season in La Paz?
Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus — the world's largest fish) aggregate in La Paz Bay every year from November through April to feed on the plankton-rich waters of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). La Paz Bay is one of the only places on earth where encounters are this consistent — not a migration sighting, but a reliable seasonal aggregation that happens year after year in the same protected waters.
The season is regulated by CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas), Mexico's federal protected areas authority. All permitted operators including The Hook receive daily zone access slots and are limited to 2 hours in the Whale Shark zone per departure. CONANP releases the official schedule the afternoon before each tour date — we confirm your exact departure time via WhatsApp that evening.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
November
Whale sharks arrive and their numbers build through the month. Swimming opens in mid-November, once CONANP confirms the sharks are in the bay.
December
A great month to swim with them. Book 3–4 weeks in advance — this month fills quickly especially around holidays and Puentes.
January
A great month to swim with them. Book 4–6 weeks ahead to get the date you want.
February
A great month to swim with them. Valentine's week and Semana Santa holiday periods fill fast — book well ahead.
March
A great month to swim with them, with slightly fewer crowds than January–February. Water temperatures are beginning to rise.
April
Whale sharks are still in the bay through the last day of April, with numbers tapering off toward the end of the month. Warmer water.
Which Month Is Best?
Any of them. Pick the dates that work for your trip.
How Early Should You Book?
The Hook limits every Whale Shark tour on its own boats to a maximum of 10 guests. That means departures fill faster than any large-boat operator. As a general guide:
December–February: Book 4–6 weeks ahead. Holiday periods (Christmas, New Year, Valentine's week) book out 6–8 weeks in advance.
March: 2–3 weeks ahead is usually sufficient but don't wait.
November and April: Last-minute bookings are often possible. Contact us via WhatsApp for same-week availability.
What to Expect on the Day
CONANP releases the official Whale Shark zone schedule the afternoon before each tour date. We confirm your exact departure time via WhatsApp that evening — we typically aim for noon, though this varies with CONANP assignments. Meet at The Hook on Paseo Alvaro Obregon (La Paz Malecón) at the confirmed time.
Your marine guide positions the boat alongside Whale Sharks. Up to 5 guests go in with your guide at a time, the most CONANP allows. If the shark is moving fast, we might send 3–4 at a time so everyone gets a clear view. If it's feeding upright or moving slowly, all 5 go in. Your guide is the pro, with many days in the water with them. Every guest goes in multiple times. Total time in the Whale Shark zone is 2 hours as permitted by CONANP.