When the whale sharks don't show in La Paz
Every whale shark trip in La Paz comes with the same small print, because the sharks are wild and the sea has its own plans. Most mornings go fine. This page covers the ones that don't, from a quiet bay to a closed port, and how to plan so a lost morning costs you little.
Wild animals keep their own schedule
Whale sharks gather off El Mogote because of the food in the water, not because a tour is booked. On most winter mornings the boats find them, but on some days they are scattered or feeding somewhere else entirely.
No operator can promise a sighting, and you should be wary of any that seems to. A good crew will search the area patiently, though they cannot keep looking forever, since every boat works within the limits of the protected zone.
Our page on why the sharks gather near the sandbar explains what draws them in. The same explanation shows why a cold snap or a shift in the plankton can change their habits from one week to the next.
When the wind closes the bay
Wind is the more common spoiler. In winter strong northerly winds, known locally as El Norte, can blow for a day or several, raising a chop that makes the bay unpleasant and unsafe for small boats.
In strong wind the harbor master can shut the port to all small boats. When that happens nobody goes out, whatever the operator would like, and the decision usually comes early on the morning itself.
On borderline days a trip may run but feel rougher or end sooner. If you are prone to seasickness, take your tablet before boarding, as our packing list for the boat suggests, rather than waiting until the bay turns choppy.
Pauses to protect the sharks
Wind is not the only thing that can halt the swims. In some past seasons the authorities paused swimming with the sharks for a while, to give the animals a break and review how the area was managed.
Such pauses are rare, and nobody can predict them far ahead. If one happens during your stay, your operator should contact you, and the usual cancellation rules apply, so a booking through a partner site leaves you covered.
What happens to your booking
If the operator calls off a trip because of the weather or a closure, you are normally offered a new date or a refund. That is the usual policy in La Paz, but the exact wording varies, so check the listing before you book.
Cancelling yourself is a different matter. On GetYourGuide all three tours we list can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours before the start, which lets you react to a bad forecast the evening before.
- If the operator cancels for wind or a port closure, you get a new date or a refund as the listing describes
- If you cancel more than 24 hours ahead on GetYourGuide, you get a full refund
- If you cancel later or do not show up, there is usually no refund
- If the trip runs but the sharks stay away, check the listing, since missed sightings are rarely refunded
The last case is the one people forget. A trip that goes out and searches in good faith has usually been delivered, even if the bay stayed empty, so read the terms if this matters to you.
The Cabo day trip has more riding on it
Staying in Los Cabos changes the stakes. Cabo Adventures' day trip, from ~$259, starts with a hotel pickup and about 2.5 hours on the road each way, so a cancellation knocks out your whole day plan.
Watch the wind forecast for La Paz the evening before, and keep the free cancellation window in mind when you choose a date. Our comparison of a day trip from Cabo against a night in La Paz weighs the extra risk against the convenience.
The tour itself is the most reviewed whale shark trip we list, at 4.9 from 1,100+ reviews on Viator. That record says the long day usually works out, even though no single date can be guaranteed.
A full day from Los Cabos, pickup included
Cabo Adventures collects you from your hotel, drives you to La Paz in an air-conditioned vehicle and takes you out in a traditional panga, with the snorkel gear, wetsuits and life jackets provided by the crew. A Baja-style taco lunch and some free time in town follow.
Book early in your stay
The simplest protection costs nothing. Put the whale shark swim on your first or second morning in La Paz, so a windy day or a closed port can move to a later date without wrecking your plans.
Both La Paz swims fit this easily. Mexico Travel Adventure's swim, from ~$123, takes about 3 hours out to the whale shark area and back to land, and Eco Migrations' trip, from ~$187, about 4 hours.
With a spare morning in hand, a cancellation becomes a small delay. Prices vary by date and partner, and our price comparison lists what each tour includes. The weeks with steadier weather are in our guide to the whale shark months.
A plan B for a lost morning in La Paz
A cancelled swim still leaves you in a pleasant town by the sea. A few ideas for the free hours follow.
- Walk the Malecón, the long seafront promenade, and watch the boats in the bay
- Take a taxi to Balandra, a shallow bay with pale sand and clear water north of town
- Rebook the swim for the next calm morning while you still have days left
- Save a calmer day for a boat trip to Espíritu Santo and its sea lion colony
Wind that shuts the bay also affects trips to the islands, so the sea lions wait for a better day too. Our page on pairing the whale sharks with the sea lions explains why two separate days give you a built-in weather backup.