Snorkeling with Whale Sharks, Sea Lions & Playa Balandra

Free Cancellation • On the Water • Kid Friendly

Duration: 6 hours

La Paz

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There is no instant booking availability for this adventure. Drop us a line using the contact form below and we'll do our best to help you book this adventure or suggest some alternative options

Features

Free Cancellation

On the Water

Kid Friendly

Wildlife

Instant Book

Locally Owned

MX$3,200 Persona (pago completo)

MX$1,600 Depósito (paga la mitad ahorita, y el resto, el día del tour)

(Balance a pagar el día del tour: $1,600mxn por persona)

Description

Snorkeling with Whale Sharks, Sea Lions & Playa Balandra

This unparalleled snorkeling adventure in the crystal-clear waters of La Paz offers a unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks, frolic with playful sea lions, and relax on the pristine sands of Balandra Beach, one of Mexico's most beautiful beaches.

Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in La Paz and get up close with the ocean's biggest fish, known for their massive size and gentle nature. This is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy whale sharks in a conscious and sustainable manner. The Mexican government has established strict regulations that all tour operators follow to protect these gentle giants, aiming to welcome them back year after year.

Just a short ride into La Paz bay, you'll have the chance to snorkel and swim alongside these magnificent creatures, with guidance from a local marine biologist who's eager to fill you in on all the fascinating details about them. Check out TripOutside's Guide to Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in La Paz for more insight into this incredible eco-conscious tour.

After the whale shark adventure, you will visit San Rafaelito islet and snorkel with sea lions, coral reef and the vast underwater life around them. Next we will visit La Gaviota Island, home of the Blue-footed booby (season: Aug-Nov) and other endemic birds. Finally, we'll arrive at one of Mexico's most beautiful and pristine beaches, Balandra. Where lunch will be served and you'll have time to be on the beach for a while or even have a small hike around.

This adventure is available when the whale sharks visit La Paz bay, usually from November through April.

Note: Due to environmental conservation efforts, starting March 25th, the whale shark season will be open on a limited basis, with only 24 boats allowed per day in the whale shark area. Our commitment to sustainability and respect for nature ensures a memorable and responsible experience for all participants.

Duration

Full day - 6 hours

Difficulty Level

For a safe and enjoyable snorkeling adventure with us, being able to swim is essential. While prior experience in snorkeling enriches your experience, it's not a prerequisite for joining our tour. Our knowledgeable guides are equipped to offer both assistance and instruction to ensure all participants feel comfortable and confident in the water. Participants can also join the tour and choose to stay in the boat and observe the whale sharks without entering the water.

Snorkeling with the whale sharks demands a moderate level of physical fitness, particularly in swimming skills, as participants will have the opportunity to swim in proximity to the majestic whale sharks. To help us provide you with the best possible experience, we kindly ask that you inform us of any medical conditions or concerns in advance. Our priority is your safety and enjoyment, and being informed allows us to accommodate your needs effectively.

Includes

A full meal and beverages, including fish ceviche, burritos, fruit, water, soft drinks, and beer
High-quality snorkeling gear and wetsuit
Photos and video of your tour
Guided tour with a certified marine biologist and captain
Bracelets for access to the Protected Natural Area of Balandra
Passenger insurance

Pricing

The price is listed in Mexican pesos.

Ages

This snorkeling adventure is designed to be inclusive, welcoming participants of all ages who fulfill the aforementioned health and fitness criteria. It's a fantastic experience for families, with children who are proficient swimmers invited to join in on the fun. However, we emphasize that all minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will oversee their safety throughout the tour. The wellbeing and security of our younger adventurers are paramount, and while our guides will provide comprehensive safety instructions and support, the direct supervision of any child participant is the accompanying adult's responsibility.

Group Size

Each boat is limited to 9 participants to ensure a personalized and environmentally responsible experience. Due to restrictions, only 14 boats are allowed in the whale shark area at any time.

Additional Information

We keep our groups small, no more than 9 folks per boat, to ensure everyone gets a personal experience.

All of our staff counts with first aid certification and every boat with the correspondent safety equipment and liability insurance.
This is a very special tour since La Paz is one of the only spots in the world where we can enjoy the whale sharks in a sustainable and conscious way, that's why the Government has several rules in order to protect them. The whale shark area is restricted to only 14 boats at the time, thus we get turns assigned every day. On average, we get the turn we requested 95% of the time, but some times we get a later turn on the day, or in a worst case, we don't get a turn at all (this is very unlikely, the last season this happened only on 2 tours out of 200+) so we ask you kindly to be reachable on your phone or email that you provided us because in any of this cases we need to inform you the day before, that is when we know which turn we got.

We check the forecast daily, so in case of bad weather we will let you know 2-3 days in advance. Strong winds can cause moderate or big waves, in some cases we can still go out but the ride will be choppy, and on harsher days, the Bay may be officially closed for any boat tours. We can know almost for sure, what the weather will be only one week in advance using the forecast. If you are planning your trip with more anticipation, we strongly suggest you to have 1 or 2 more days available around the city so we can re-schedule your tour in case of bad weather.
Due to Federal regulations freediving is not allowed during whale shark tours, only snorkeling in the surface.

What to Bring

Don't forget: Towel, hoodie (December-March), sunscreen, comfortable clothes and camera (optional).

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your tour 7 days prior or more and you will get a 100% refund.

If you cancel with less than 7 days of anticipation we can not give you a refund.

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY MeXplore

Cancellation Policy

Puedes cancelar tu tour con 7 días de anticipación o más y tendrás un 100% de reembolso.

Si lo cancelas con menos de 7 días de anticipación ya no te podremos hacer algún reembolso.

Availability

May 2024

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There is no instant booking availability for this adventure. Drop us a line using the contact form below and we'll do our best to help you book this adventure or suggest some alternative options

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