Snorkeling Espíritu Santo Island from La Paz: Small group, 12 max

Espíritu Santo Island: snorkeling, a bird sanctuary, lunch on the beach, and the boat ride back

This snorkeling tour departs La Paz for Espíritu Santo Island, a UNESCO world heritage site, with a maximum of 12 people per boat instead of the 15–30 on standard shared tours. You pass Balandra Beach for photos, snorkel at a designated spot, explore the island's bird sanctuary and former pearl farm, and eat lunch on the beach with fish ceviche, burritos, fruit, water, sodas and beer. Marine biologist guides speak English and Spanish. Snorkeling equipment and the federal bracelet for the protected area are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Balandra Beachpassing by
2. Espiritu Santo Island5h · entry included

Espíritu Santo Island snorkel and sightseeing

• Pass by Balandra beach for photos
• Explore Espíritu Santo Island landmarks
• Stop at snorkeling spot
• Lunch and relax on the beach
• Return to La Paz

The experience

The boat leaves La Paz and passes Balandra Beach first, where you have about 10 minutes to photograph the bay from the water before heading to Espíritu Santo Island itself. The island is 15 kilometers long and roughly 5 wide, and the guides will show you the bird sanctuary, the remains of a former pearl farm, different beaches and landmarks as the boat moves along the coast. This is the main part of the day: you'll stop at a snorkeling spot where the guides hand you the equipment and you get in the water to see what the UNESCO designation protects.

After snorkeling, the boat pulls up to one of the island's beaches for lunch and time to rest. The meal includes fish ceviche, meat burritos, fresh fruit, water, sodas and beer. If you eat vegan or vegetarian, let the operator know when you book. The guides are marine biologists certified to lead the tour, and they bring a GoPro to film the day. They'll share the footage with you afterward at no extra cost. The federal bracelet required to enter the protected area is already in the price.

Because the boat holds a maximum of 12 people, you get more space and time than the standard shared tours running 15–30 passengers per boat around the city. The whole day runs about 7 hours from La Paz. Weather determines whether the tour operates, so the operator will call or text if conditions change. Make sure your contact number is correct when you book.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• lunch on the beach with fish ceviche, meat burritos, fruit, water, sodas and beer.
• the federal bracelet for the protected area.
• GoPro footage of the day shared with you afterward.
• marine biologist guides who speak English and Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by MeXplore

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared boat experience with fewer than 12 people. You'll have more space at each stop and less crowding than standard group tours that run 15–30 per boat.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will I see when I snorkel at Espíritu Santo Island?

Espíritu Santo Island is a UNESCO world heritage site because of its vast marine life variety. The guides will take you to a snorkeling spot where you can see the underwater ecosystem the designation protects, though the specific species and depth depend on conditions the day you go.

How long do I actually spend snorkeling and at the beach?

The tour is 7 hours total from La Paz. You'll stop at a snorkeling spot for the main underwater time, then the boat moves to a beach where you eat lunch and rest before heading back to the city.

What's included in the beach lunch?

Lunch includes fish ceviche, meat burritos, fresh fruit, water, sodas and beer. If you're vegan or vegetarian, tell the operator when you book and they'll arrange an alternative.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour depends on good weather to operate safely. If conditions change, the operator will call or text you as soon as possible, so make sure your contact number is correct and you're reachable.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price. The federal bracelet required to enter the protected area is also included.