La Paz: Whale Shark, Sea Lions & Balandra Tour

Swim with whale sharks and snorkel near a sea lion colony in La Paz. Relax at Balandra Bay with a beachside ceviche lunch and scenic coastal views.
Set out from the marina in La Paz for an extended day Tour marine adventure across the Bay of La Paz. Cruise past coastal scenery while watching for dolphins and other local marine life, then spend the day swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling near sea lions, and unwinding at Balandra Bay. With permits, gear, lunch, and refreshments included, this trip combines wildlife encounters with time to relax by the sea.

After leaving the marina, cross the bay on a scenic boat ride of around 40 minutes. Depending on your official permit entry time, the day may begin with the whale shark swim or with a visit to the local sea lion colony. Along the way, pass landmarks such as Mushroom Rock and Isla Gaviota, where you may spot blue-footed boobies. In the water, snorkel alongside a lively colony of around 40 to 50 sea lions and swim with giant whale sharks in their natural habitat.

Later, anchor at Balandra Bay for a beachfront lunch. Enjoy freshly prepared local fish ceviche with tostadas, chips, burritos, seasonal fruit, light snacks, soft drinks, and purified water. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and a table are set up for added comfort, and there is time to relax in the shallow turquoise waters before returning to the marina at the end of the tour.

Federal Regulations & Slot Notice
Please Note Regarding Local Regulations & Scheduling:
Whale shark encounters take place inside a strictly regulated natural protected area managed under local federal permits. The area opens only when a minimum threshold of 10 whale sharks are present, and entry is capped at 14 authorized boats per window. Operations run across four strict daily time slots (8:00 AM–11:00 AM, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, and 3:00 PM–5:00 PM), and no entry is allowed outside these hours.

Because official slots are allocated through a daily municipal permitting system—morning slots are granted late the afternoon prior, and same-day afternoon slots are released at 8:00 AM—we cannot guarantee a specific departure time in advance. Exact departure times are subject to local bureaucratic assignment. We ask all guests to maintain flexibility on tour day, and our team will confirm your exact departure time as soon as park authorities assign our slot (either the afternoon before or the morning of your tour).

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.