Whale Sharks and Sea Lions in La Paz
The La Paz combination tours: whale sharks in the morning, sea lions and Balandra after, from $230.84 (October 2026). When one long day beats two trips.
In the whale shark season you can do both swims in one day: the whale sharks in the morning, then the sea lions and a beach. The combination tours from La Paz take six to nine hours and cost from about $231 a person, against about $300 for the two swims booked separately (Viator, checked October 2026).
The seasons line up well. The whale sharks are in the bay from about mid-November to mid-April, and the sea lion colonies are closed to swimming only from June to August, so every whale shark day is also a sea lion day.
The combination tours
| Tour | Price | Time | Where the sea lions are |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna Tuna Tours | From $230.84 | 6 hours | Sea lion snorkel, then lunch at Balandra |
| MeXplore | From $230.84 | 6 hours | San Rafaelito islet, La Gaviota island, lunch at Balandra |
| Baja Sur Tours | From $274.81 | 9 hours | The Espiritu Santo archipelago, with a beach picnic, at most 8 per boat |
Prices from the Viator listings (checked October 2026). Treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
MeXplore’s six-hour tour visits the sea lions at San Rafaelito islet, close to Balandra. The nine-hour tour goes out to the Espiritu Santo archipelago itself, a longer ride, and spends more of the day at sea.
Check dates for the six-hour combination
One day or two
One day suits a short stay. You get both swims, lunch at Balandra and all the fees for one price, and you only deal with one time slot and one weather forecast.
Two days suit a longer stay and a slower pace. The whale shark swim is three hours in the morning, and the Espiritu Santo day is a separate six hours with more time on the island beaches and the main sea lion colony at Los Islotes. Two days also give you a spare day if wind closes the bay.
La Paz Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Tour
Whale sharks, sea lions and lunch at Balandra in six hours, at most 10 guests, a marine biologist, fees included.
Check dates →Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling Picnic at Espiritu Santo Island
Whale sharks, then the Espiritu Santo archipelago and a beach picnic, at most 8 on the boat. About nine hours.
See the nine-hour day →Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions and Beach
Book the sea lions on their own: a six-hour day at Espiritu Santo with ceviche and a quiet beach.
See Espiritu Santo →Prices, ratings and review counts from the Viator listings (checked October 2026).
Good to know
- Wind. On windy days boats may not reach the sea lion colonies, especially Los Islotes; operators then offer another site, another date or a refund.
- Jellyfish. Small jellyfish are sometimes in the water; a full wetsuit or a rash guard helps.
- Balandra. The beach is a protected area with a daily limit on visitors. Arriving by boat on a tour avoids the queue at the land entrance.
- Bring a towel, a warm layer for the ride back, biodegradable sunscreen and cash for tips.
The Espiritu Santo page covers the island day in detail, and the main page the whale shark swims on their own.
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Find a tour that fits your schedule. Dates and cancellation terms are on each listing.
Both Swims and Balandra in One Day
Tuna Tuna Tours' six-hour combination: whale sharks first, then snorkeling with sea lions and lunch at Balandra beach, at most 10 guests with a marine biologist, all fees included.
Check dates on Viator