My 2025 Whale Shark & Balandra Beach Day: An Honest Review

Okay, so I had this date marked on my calendar for, like, months. The idea of this outing, you know, the ‘Whale sharks and sea lions snorkeling plus Balandra beach lunch’, felt almost a little too good to be true. I mean, you’re basically stringing together three of the most incredible things you can do around La Paz into one single day. So, as a matter of fact, I went into it with a bit of a hopeful but skeptical mind. I was just really hoping it wouldn’t feel rushed or, sort of, like a tourist checklist thing. Honestly, what I found was something quite different. The whole setup, you know, it is about more than just seeing the animals; it’s actually about feeling the pulse of the Sea of Cortez for a day, which is, at the end of the day, pretty amazing.

You’ve probably seen the pictures online, obviously. That massive, polka-dotted creature gliding peacefully through the water is just iconic. Yet, the question is that, does the actual day live up to that picture in your head? Well, that is really what I want to get into. I want to give you a feel for the day’s rhythm, from the very first splash of chilly morning water to the last bite of fresh ceviche under the sun. It’s almost a day of contrasts, frankly. You have this deep, quiet respect for the whale sharks, and then you have the complete, you know, playful chaos of the sea lions. It’s a combination that, you know, works incredibly well. So let’s just get into how my day in 2025 actually unfolded, without the typical brochure gloss.

The Morning Kick-Off and Heading Out

Right, so the morning started pretty early, as you might expect. We met down at the marina, and honestly, the air was just filled with this kind of excited energy. You could, like, just feel it from all the other groups getting ready. Our guide, a local guy named Marco, was immediately very friendly and, in a way, very serious about the rules. He gave us this really clear briefing that, to be honest, made me feel much better about the whole thing. He talked a lot about keeping a safe distance from the animals and the local rules set up to protect them. It wasn’t just a list of ‘don’ts’; instead, it was more or less an explanation of *why* we do things a certain way, which I, like, really appreciated.

After we all got our wetsuits and snorkel gear, which by the way was in pretty good shape, we finally got on the panga boat. The boat ride out was, you know, a bit of an adventure in itself. The captain skillfully steered us across the bay, and as La Paz got smaller behind us, the huge expanse of the sea opened up. The sun was just starting to get warm, and the spray from the waves was, actually, quite refreshing. You get this sense of leaving the regular world behind, just for a little while. We were on the lookout pretty much the whole time, our eyes scanning the surface for that first, tell-tale sign of a massive shadow just below the water. The anticipation, I mean, it was definitely building with every minute that passed on the open water.

Swimming Alongside a Gentle Behemoth

Then, Marco pointed, pretty much just like that. At first, you really couldn’t see much, just a dark shape moving slowly under the surface. But as our boat approached, carefully and quietly, the sheer size of the whale shark became, frankly, very clear. It was absolutely massive, you know, way bigger than any picture can really show. The rule is that only a few people can be in the water at one time with a guide, so it’s a very controlled situation. When it was our turn, slipping into the water was, like, a shock of cold and excitement all at once. My heart was, you know, sort of pounding.

And there it was. Just a few feet away, this huge, beautiful animal was just gliding along, its mouth slightly open as it filtered for plankton. Honestly, it was a very humbling moment. The pattern of white spots on its back looked almost like a star chart, and its movements were so graceful and unbothered by our presence. We swam alongside it for what felt like both an eternity and just a few seconds. You just float there, pretty much in awe. It’s a completely silent world under the surface, just the sound of your own breathing. Marco was, like, right there with us, making sure we gave the shark its space and just observed. This part of the day, at the end of the day, is something that just sticks with you in a very profound way.

Getting back on the boat, everyone was, like, buzzing. We were all sharing these quiet, wide-eyed looks. You know that look, right? The one that says, “Did we actually just do that?” The process was repeated so everyone got their turn, and the whole crew was just really good at managing the time and the experience for everybody. It never felt crowded in the water, which I think is just a super important part of doing this correctly and with respect for the animal. It’s almost a quiet, personal viewing, even when you’re with a group.

A Playful Interlude with the Sea Lions

Anyway, after the quiet and majestic whale shark part of the day, our captain turned the boat towards Los Islotes, which is basically a rocky island that is more or less a giant sea lion apartment complex. The change in atmosphere was, you know, almost immediate. You can hear them before you see them; hundreds of sea lions barking and lounging on the rocks. It was completely different from the earlier part of the trip. These creatures are the exact opposite of the calm whale sharks. They are, you know, kind of like curious, underwater puppies with flippers. So, Marco gave us another briefing, this time about how to act around these playful animals, basically just letting them come to us if they felt like it.

Getting in the water here was just a completely different vibe. The second you are in, these sleek, brown shapes are zipping past you. The younger ones, especially, are so curious. They’d shoot right up to your mask, stare at you for a second with their big, dark eyes, and then spiral away in a burst of speed. I mean, they were literally doing underwater acrobatics all around us. It’s impossible not to laugh into your snorkel. Unlike the whale sharks, this was very interactive, but still, on their terms. You just float and watch the show. One of them, I’m pretty sure, was sort of nibbling gently on the end of my fin. It’s just pure, unfiltered fun, and a really brilliant contrast to the morning’s activity.

A Perfect Finish at Balandra Beach

Finally, after all that excitement, it was time to relax. We motored over to the famous Balandra Beach, and frankly, it really is as stunning as everyone says. The water is this incredible, almost unreal shade of turquoise, and it’s so shallow you can walk hundreds of feet out. Because access to the area is now limited to protect it, being there feels just a little more special. You know, like you’re in on a beautiful secret. Our boat anchored in the calm bay, and the crew started preparing our lunch. The view of the surrounding desert mountains meeting the glassy water was just absolutely fantastic.

Lunch itself was simple but, honestly, perfect for the occasion. We had some incredibly fresh fish ceviche, some tasty sandwiches, chips, and fruit. Eating that meal, with our feet dangling in the warm water and the sun on our backs, was just the best way to cap off the day’s adventures. We talked about everything we saw, the quiet giant and the noisy acrobats. It was a time to just soak it all in. We had some time to swim in the calm waters or just walk along the white sand before heading back to the marina. At the end of the day, it’s this combination of high adventure and pure relaxation that makes this particular tour package work so well, I think.

A Few Practical Things to Keep in Mind

So, if you’re thinking about doing this trip in 2025, here are just a few things I learned that might be helpful. This isn’t just a list of tips, but more like some friendly advice, you know, from one traveler to another. At the end of the day, a little preparation can make a great day even better.

• When to Go: The whale shark season in La Paz typically runs from about October to late April. So, you definitely want to plan your visit during these months for the best chance of seeing them. We went in March, and it was just about perfect.
• What to Pack: Of course, you’ll need your swimsuit. But I’d also really recommend a long-sleeved rash guard for sun protection in the water. Absolutely bring reef-safe sunscreen; the guides are very serious about this. A hat, sunglasses, and a towel are also, like, totally necessary. Maybe bring a light jacket for the morning boat ride, as it can be a bit cool.
• Book Your Spot: These tours are really popular and the good companies book up fast, especially since there are limits on how many boats can be in the whale shark area. So, you should probably book your trip well in advance, just to be safe.
• About Your Swimming Ability: You don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer, obviously. But you should be comfortable in open water. You’ll be wearing a wetsuit and a life vest, so you’ll be very buoyant. The key is just to be relaxed in the water.
• Manage Your Mindset: Remember, you are seeing wild animals in their natural home. While sightings are very, very likely during the season, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed. Just go with an open mind and, you know, just appreciate the whole day for what it is—a pretty amazing time on the beautiful Sea of Cortez.

Read our full review: 2025 ‘Whale sharks and sea lions snorkeling plus Balandra beach lunch’ Full Review and Details
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