La Paz & Sea of Cortez: Open Ocean Safari, Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (235 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration4h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN · DE +3

Mobile ticketAccepted

Swim with sea lions watch whales leap in wild blue water

You’ll ride out from La Paz with a small group and a local guide, watching for dolphins and whales as you cross open water. Swim alongside mobula rays and playful sea lions using included snorkel gear, then refuel with snacks while hearing stories from your guide. Expect salty hair, laughter—and maybe a moment that stays with you long after you dry off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ocean expedition and marine wildlife viewing

Join ocean expedition in Pacific Ocean
Experience up-close encounters with marine life
See Mobula rays, sea lions, dolphins, sharks
Prioritize safety of animals and divers

The Experience

“You see that fin?” our guide Marco asked, squinting into the sun. I’d barely finished my coffee when we left La Paz, but now I was wide awake—heart thumping, salt spray on my lips. The boat cut across the Sea of Cortez fast enough to make my hair a mess (not complaining). There was this electric smell, like ocean and sunscreen and something alive. We slowed down when someone spotted dolphins up ahead—at least twenty of them, weaving through the waves like they owned the place. Marco laughed when I tried to count them all out loud—said it’s better just to watch.

I didn’t expect to get so close to the mobula rays. They move like shadows under the surface until suddenly they’re airborne—flapping out of nowhere, then gone again. When I slid into the water with my snorkel mask fogging up (always happens), there was this weird silence except for my own breath and the distant clicks from somewhere below. The sea lions came next—one zipped past so close I could see its whiskers twitch. It’s hard not to feel small out here, but in a good way.

Snacks tasted extra salty after swimming—I guess everything does on a boat. Marco handed out bottled water and told us about how they track whale sightings for local scientists; he showed us some old photo IDs on his phone, proud like they were family portraits or something. There’s a lot of respect for these animals here—nobody rushed us or crowded too close. I still think about that calm moment drifting above blue nothingness, legs dangling, sun burning through clouds for just a second before we headed back toward shore.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in La Paz (public transport options nearby), all snorkeling equipment you’ll need, bottled water and snacks between swims, plus photos and videos taken by your guide so you can actually be in them for once before heading back ashore together.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by APEX OCEAN DIVERS