Is Leaving Your Los Cabos Resort To Swim With Whale Sharks Worth It? Our Honest Take

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When you are paying top dollar for a luxury all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos, the absolute last thing you usually want to do is set your alarm for dawn, get in a car, and leave the property. It is incredibly tempting to just order another round of poolside tacos and stay comfortably inside the Cabo bubble.

But if you are wondering if making the trek up to La Paz to swim with whale sharks is actually worth giving up a day at the beach, I am here to give you a definitive answer.

I just did it. And it was absolutely AMAZING!

Swimming alongside these beautifully spotted marine animals is truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. If you are on the fence about booking this excursion, here is my personal, firsthand take on exactly what to expect, why there is nothing to worry about, and how to make the absolute most of your day trip.

The Gentle Giants of La Paz

First things first: the name “whale shark” sounds intimidating, but these animals are incredibly gentle filter feeders. They move slowly, they have zero interest in you as a snack, and there is absolutely nothing to worry about when you slip into the water with them.

The logistics are surprisingly easy. Once you get to the La Paz marina, it is just a quick, breezy ride in the boat to get to the protected bay where they hang out.

And when I say the experience is cool, I mean it is so, so, so cool! Seeing a 30-foot shadow glide gracefully through the turquoise water right beneath you is a feeling you will never forget.

The Rules of the Water

Because this is a highly protected species, the tours operate under strict environmental rules, which is fantastic for both the tourists and the animals.

You do not just jump into the water with 20 other tourists fighting for a view. The guides are all great, highly professional, and keep everything incredibly organized. You will usually get in the water in small, controlled groups of just three people plus your guide.

To ensure you don’t bother the sharks too much, you are allowed to stay and swim with one specific shark for up to 30 minutes before your group has to swim away and find another one.

A Bay Full of Sharks

If you are worried that you might make the long drive from Cabo only to miss out on seeing a shark, do not stress. You will see tons of them!

The bay is so rich with nutrients during the season that the whale sharks flock there to feed. In fact, you will probably be in the water with more than one at the exact same time.

Because there are so many massive sharks gracefully cruising around the bay, your guide will constantly be keeping track of your position in the water, physically directing you to make sure you are keeping the proper, respectful distance from their massive tail fins.

How To Upgrade The Adventure

If you are already making the drive up to the capital city, you absolutely need to maximize your time on the water. The best tour operators offer extended excursions, and I highly recommend you upgrade your itinerary.

After you finish swimming with the whale sharks, you can take the boat further out to snorkel directly with wild, playful sea lions. They dart through the water like underwater puppies and are incredibly curious.

To cap off the perfect day trip, have your captain drop anchor at Balandra Bay. Known for its crystal-clear, shallow water and pristine white sand, it is widely considered the most beautiful beach in all of Mexico and is the perfect place to relax before driving back south.

The Final Verdict

It is hard to leave the luxury of your Cabo resort, but the beach chair will be waiting for you when you get back. Do yourself a favor, book the tour, and jump in the water. Swimming with the La Paz whale sharks is a core memory waiting to happen.