Intimate Eco-Friendly Whale Shark Encounter - Premium Service
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
What makes us different from other operators? They put 10 to 15 guests for boat.
We prefer maximum 6 guests for boat. Since all operators are allowed maximum 2 hours in the whale shark area this policy allows you maximum time in the water, better ratio guide / guests and a more personal experience. (note: exceptionally can be 7 guests on boat when one party has odd numbers)
According to regulation other operators allow 5 swimmers and the guide at the same time in the water. If you have come with your partner we prefer you two swim alone with the whale shark, without sharing your first whale shark encounter with strangers.
If you come with children or many members of your family you and your guide will decide the best way for you to enjoy, maybe small groups as starter and a final jump with all together.
If you are elderly or poor swimmer, or just a bit shy the guide may jump with you alone to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants not allowed
Weight limit 260 lbs
Age restriction: minimum 5 years old, maximum 80 years old
Restricted guests with cardiac history
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Get ready for an adventure! Your guide will lead you to the boat, where you’ll be fitted with premium snorkel gear—mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit—so you can dive in with style. Life vests are optional in the water (because you’re brave!) but required during the boat ride. Safety first! ️ As we cruise through the whale shark zone, our friendly captain will guide the way while your knowledgeable guide fills you in on fun facts about whale sharks and how to make the most of your experience—all while keeping the environment (and the sharks) happy. Plus, expect a few dad jokes along the way—our guides love to entertain! Time to jump in! Your guide will swim alongside you and capture the magic in photos and video, so no need to worry about missing a moment. Don’t worry, it’s all included! And because we’re all about exclusivity, we try to keep each jump private for just you and your group. If conditions and time allows, we expect every guest to jump 2 or 3 times and swim next to a whaleshark Whether you’re gliding along or just taking it easy, there’s plenty of fun to be had with these gentle giants—no matter your pace!
What‘s Included
Biodegradable Sunscreen SPF 50
Soda/Pop
We are sorry, we don't use single use plastics in our tours, we have old school glasses and purified water in a container, like our grandparents used!
Use of Snorkelling equipment
All Fees and Taxes
fruit, cookies and chips
Transport from hotel
Towel
Tips
Options
Whale shark Encounter
VIP: Maximum 7 guests for boat
Duration: 3 hours
Superpanga: 27ft boat with shade and cushioned seats, designed for the local sea conditions, easy to maneuver in the whale shark area
Reviews
370 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best guides and captains, top notch expertise, and photos!
alishas444,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00La Paz VIP tours has amazing expertise on the marine life in the bay and islands. They are happy to share, and always make adjustments to make sure their guests have the best experience. The fact that you get pictures and videos afterwards makes the price worth it. It’s one less thing to worry about, and lets you enjoy your day. They are great for families, with small groups in each trip. We’ve had good experiences with all of the additional guests on each tour. We have done three different tours, and each was unique. I would do any of them again, because the marine life means it will be different. The lunch and snacks are also wonderful.
Unforgettable Experience! Highly recommend this tour company!
Julie A,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went on an excellent tour with **VIP Tours** to swim with whale sharks and sea lions, and it was an unforgettable experience. Our guide **Angel** did a fantastic job-knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive throughout the entire tour. **Captain Manolo** was equally amazing. Lunch was included and was delicious, especially the fresh ceviche. Both Angel and Manolo made sure we had an incredible experience while also treating the wildlife with the utmost respect. Highly recommend this tour!
Beautiful creatures
Naomi T,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Guide and boat captain were very knowledgeable and facilitated a very memorable experience with the whale sharks. I didn’t give them 5 stars because they promised photos of the experience, which would have been wonderful to have, but I asked twice and still never sent and that is very disappointing to not have those.
Intimate experience with whale sharks!
donaldaP2021NP,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They were very communicative about what to expect ahead of the tour. Smooth greeting and very welcoming. Our guide was Katrina who was very knowlegeable and answered all our questions and shared a lot about the biggest fish on the planet (whale sharks ;). VIP tours put us in the water in groups of 1, 2, or 3 people at a time to keep the encounters intamte! And our captain Eddie had eagle eyes and was able to spot the whale sharks for us to swim with. As an added bonus they took photos and sent them to all of us! Highly recommend VIP tours.
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Debbie G,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our morning excursion swimming with the whale sharks. It was our first time in La Paz, our first time doing this activity and we are all so glad we did it. Katrin was a fantastic guide. Super knowledgeable and helpful.
Adrenaline rush
Floyd999,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic adventure to swim with the whale sharks. Katherine was an excellent guide who helped the six guests get an experience of a lifetime. The adrenaline rush of swimming with these massive creatures was awesome.
Amazing Experience !!
R3831ONtoms,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a truly amazing experience. The guides were really knowledgeable , the equipment was excellent, and the sharks just put on a show. I would recommend this tour to everyone !
Amazing Adventure
griffinandamyr,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Myself, my 12-year-old son and other family members swam with whale sharks with Katherine and Reynaldo and we had the most amazing time Katherine was very knowledable and attentive making sure my son had an amazing experience and we all made lifelong memories. The cost was very reasonable and we all got four times in the water with the whale sharks.
Breathtaking Experience
shelbyt781,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an incredible time with VIP Tours! The whale sharks are truly breathtaking and the small group size makes the experience so much better, as we were able to get in the water 3 times with them. The communication and organization of the tours was great and we ended up doing a second tour with them. Angel and Katrin were both incredibly well informed and helpful in making sure everyone had a great time. They do a great job getting you close to the whale sharks, but be prepared to swim once you're in the water - they can be surprisingly fast!
Definitely Worth the Hype!
liligator,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Of the thee whale shark tour companies I've used in La Paz, VIP Tours is by far the best. The early morning start and small group sizes set you ahead of the pack for the best chances of a great day. And today, the weather and the sharks gave us a world-class experience!! Thank you to Katya for recommending a reschedule to avoid wind. We had an amazingly fun guide, Kathrin, and a very skilled captain Ponchito, who quickly found us multiple individual sharks to dive on, and gave each of us plenty of time in the water. Different size sharks, remoras, good visibility, vertical feeding, clouds of shrimpy krill, even a small pack of mobula rays gliding by- what a magical day! Kathrin went above and beyond retrieving my lost glasses underwater at the dock. These people care about the service they deliver and it absolutely shows. Thank you La Paz VIP Tours! 10/10
From MX$4,500.00
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