Whale sharks and sea lions snorkeling plus Balandra beach lunch
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour combines the "Whale Shark tour" with "Sea lions and Balandra", so, besides swimming with whale sharks you will also:
Visit the "San Rafaelito" islet and snorkel with sea lions, coral reef and the vast underwater life around them. Meet "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.
PLEASE read the following information carefully, it is very important:
In case of bad weather the tour will need to be canceled, we know this around 1-2 days in advance. Take this into consideration when planning your schedule here.
There can be small jellyfish around (not always but it happens)
The footage of your tour will be sent in 2-3 days, please contact us if you don't get it in that time.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Activity restricted for safety and federal regulations to: women in pregnancy, heart, neck and breathing problems
Freediving is not allowed due to Federal regulations, only snorkeling in the surface
In case of bad weather forecast, we will let you know 2-3 days in advance. In some cases the waves can be moderate causing a choppy ride, and on other days with high winds, the bay may be closed officially to all boat tours
Bring towel and warm clothes (VERY important Nov-March) and biodegradable sunscreen
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
We will meet at "Marina de La Paz" located in "Topete and Miguel de Legaspy" streets. It is VERY important to arrive on time. Then we will give you all the gear you need: mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit (shortie). After that we will depart to the whale shark area and request a spot in the control stand for the Whale Shark area. Once we found one or more we will start the watching and snorkel activity. Our groups are 9 people maximum per boat, this ensures not crowded boats and a more professional and personalized service. We will do the snorkeling activity in groups of 2 to 4 at the same time on the water, so you have a comfortable experience. The guide will take turns with every group and you will be able to swim several times and very probable with more than one whale shark, the times you want to snorkel depends on you, we won't limit you to jump in the water just 1 or 2 times as it can be usual with other tours.
Sample Menu
main
Fish ceviche
Marinated fish with tomato, onion, cilantro and cucumber, all seasoned and served alone or with chips.
main
Burritos
Flour tortilla, two options: with beans and cheese or shredded meat
main
Additionals
We also bring fruit and soft drinks
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Federal permits and whale shark donation for its conservation
Use of snorkel equipment and wetsuits (shorties 3mm)
Traveler's insurance
Complete food and drinks
Pictures and videos of your tour with gopro (consider the quality depends on the day conditions)
Towel, sweatshirt and biodegradable sunscreen
Transportation to/from attractions
Gratuities
Options
Whale sharks
Approx 3 hour trip for whale shark sightseeing and snorkeling.. It is VERY IMPORTANT to arrive on time.
Duration: 3 hours
Reviews
58 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
so much fun
745williea,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00great trip Karen the guide new everything about whale sharks. very organized made the trip fun. David the captain stayed near sharks so we could swim and be near the boat. lunch was great good variety. super cool day. thanks
Overpriced, underwhelming and lots of time not having fun
UnmadeBed,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This tour was incredibly disappointing and overpriced for what we received. For $215 per person we basically each got about 5 seconds of a seeing a whale shark and 5 hours on a small boat going fast through the entire bay. We were in the last group of people on the boat to go into the water to see the sharks and each time the shark was already on the move. Rather than change the group order it stayed the same while the first groups would have a couple minutes with the shark hanging out by the time we got in we'd get a glimpse of it swimming away. The promised GoPro pictures only feature 2 of the people of the 9 total. The "biologist" on board was unable to answer even basic questions about the sharks or other wildlife. As for the sea lion portion, it was so underwhelming that half the group opted to just stay on the boat rather than get back into the ice cold water again. "Balandra Beach lunch" was lukewarm, basic burritos served on a small side beach full of boats, not the Balandra you've seen in pictures. Snacks and refreshments offered were cheap, sugary cookies from a convenience store and small sodas. The guide was very friendly and working hard but there was too much expected of him. I am not sure how this company has such high ratings as everything about the tour was extremely cheap feeling for a premium price. Maybe we just got unlucky but I would certainly never take another tour with them.
Great experience and fabulous guide and crew
fletcherb2014,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow! What a truly great experience. I took the six hour tour. On the way our guide, Carla, did a fabulous job of explaining the process we would use once we got there and a great explanation of the whale sharks, their habitat, and their lifecycle. Once on scene, we found whale sharks right away. Carlos split us into two groups. There erre three or four of us in the first group and about the same number in the second group. She would take one group into the water at a time and we would swim around the whale sharks for about 15 minutes. Then we returned to the boat and the second group did the same thing. Each group got three turns with three different whale sharks. We also saw several humpback whales in route to the sea lions. The sea lion swim is OK, but not spectacular as they decided to spend most of their time on the rocks. We were then taken to an absolutely beautiful white, sandy beach and crystal clear water where they deployed, beach chairs, an umbrella, and set up a great lunch for everybody. What made the experience so enjoyable was how friendly, personable, and knowledgeable our guide Carla was. She made the whole trip worthwhile and I would definitely recommend trying to get her and Alejandro if you decide to enjoy this great adventure.
Wow
Ahron S,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible experience the guides were so professional and we were so conformable in the water. Seeing a whale shark was so cool and the whole trip was epic
Do Not Miss
Tuvia M,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Staff was super helpful and nice , they were super kind and helped us with a question and concerns. Definitely recommend
Unforgettable
AlbertoJPeligro,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sensational, highly recommended. Karla was an excellent guide. It takes a few minutes to find the whale shark and then we swim with it up to 3 - 4 times each group. The sea was a little savvy, some passengers who did not swim well preferred to see only from the boat but the Karla guide helps a lot to what you need and is worth living in the water. A unique and unforgettable experience. Then we saw the sea lions and fish on the reef. And finally a simple and pleasant meal on Balandra beach. Unbeatable
Kala did a good job to...
Xiaosu G,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Kala did a good job to guide us especially when we snorkling with whale shark and sea lion. I am not a good swimmer but still enjoy a lot!
Amazing tour!!!
Caitlin D,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an incredible magical experience!!! Karla was our guide and she was absolutely the most kind, knowledgeable, amazing guide. We felt very safe in her hands and had the best time. She truly cares for marine wildlife and her passion is infectious.
Pay the extra $$ for a small group tour
Jill C,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Small group tour with amazing whale shark experience, great snorkeling and beach lunch! Our tour was small 9 people, safety was great, tour guide was careful about protecting marine life while also helping to ensure everyone got to see several whale sharks, sea lions and fish. Lunch was amazing with our tour being the only one with comfortable beach chairs! So glad we spent the extra $$ for a small group tour with marine expert!!!
Great trip!
Tasha M,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guides were able to find the whale sharks quite quickly and gave great instructions on how to swim with them. It was exhilarating! The sea lion colony was teaming with coral and fish. Lunch at the beach was wonderful and the scenery was amazing. Highly recommend going with Mexplore!!
From MX$4,200.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by MeXplore