Gray Whale Tour from La Paz: Puerto Chale lagoon, January–March

Gray whales bring their newborns into Puerto Chale's shallow lagoon, and the boats go in after them.

A full-day private gray whale tour from La Paz takes small groups to Puerto Chale lagoon, where mothers nurse calves in the warm Pacific waters of Baja California Sur. The 2-hour drive passes cardón cactus desert and Isla Margarita's mountainous coastline. Boats operate at close range under strict permits, and curious whales frequently approach. Planet Earth filmed here. Breakfast and lunch are included, with all transport from La Paz.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gray Whale Tour from La Paz to Puerto Chale

• Meet at office on Malecon in La Paz
• Drive 2 hours to Puerto Chale through cactus desert
• Explore bay of Almejas and surrounding areas
• Whale watching in Puerto Chale lagoon
• Enjoy lunch in Puerto Chale fishing community
• Return drive to La Paz

The experience

Ten hours door-to-door means you leave La Paz in the morning, spend a half-day on the water, and return with time left in the afternoon. The drive to Puerto Chale takes two hours and passes through massive cardón cactus desert and mangrove-lined bays, with views of Isla Margarita's mountainous terrain. Breakfast happens before the drive. Lunch is in Puerto Chale after the whale viewing.

Puerto Chale is a shallow enclosed lagoon where gray whales complete the longest migration of any mammal on earth, from the Arctic to Baja California Sur to give birth. The boats operate at close range under strict permits, and because the lagoon is enclosed and the water is warm, curious whales frequently approach. These are not distant sightings from a cliff. The lagoon is where mothers bring their calves, and the whales often come near enough to see the calves nursing. The site is famous enough that Planet Earth filmed here.

A bilingual guide leads the tour, and all permits for whale viewing are included. The group stays small and private, so there is no jostling for position or waiting for a larger boat to fill. Round-trip transport from La Paz means no self-driving, and the pickup is included.

What’s included

• Round-trip private transport from La Paz.
• breakfast before the drive.
• lunch in Puerto Chale.
• all gray whale viewing permits.
• bilingual guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 19 Jan 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Hook Experiences

Is this one for you?The full 10-hour commitment leaves room for the morning drive, the half-day on the water, and a return to La Paz with the afternoon still open. If you want to see gray whale calves nursing in the lagoon without renting a car or joining a larger group, the private transport and small-group format make the long day worth it.

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Top questions

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.

When can I see gray whales at Puerto Chale?

Gray whales migrate to Puerto Chale from January through March only. This is the breeding and calving season, when mothers bring newborns into the warm lagoon. Outside these months, the whales are in the Arctic.

How close do the boats get to the whales?

Boats operate at close range under strict permits. Because Puerto Chale is a shallow enclosed lagoon, curious whales frequently approach the boats, and you can often see calves nursing alongside their mothers. These are not distant views from a cliff.

What is the drive from La Paz like?

The scenic 2-hour drive passes through massive cardón cactus desert, mangrove-lined bays, and the mountainous coastline of Isla Margarita. Breakfast is included before departure.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Puerto Chale?

No. Round-trip private transport from La Paz is included, and pickup is arranged. The drive is part of the full-day experience, and no self-driving is required.

What happens in Puerto Chale after the whale viewing?

Puerto Chale is a fishing community on the Pacific coast. After the boat tour, lunch is included. The town has small restaurants serving fresh catch of the day, and you can browse local fish and seafood before the return drive to La Paz.