The verdict
Our pick
La Paz & Balandra: Catamaran Snorkel, Sea Lions & Beach Lunch★ 4.91 (697) · 8h
Best value
Snorkeling Espiritu Santo Island: Sea lions and Balandra Beach★ 4.96 (101) · 6h 30m
Top rated
La Paz: Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Beach★ 4.99 (113) · 6h
All 10 options, side by side
✓ 2026-08-11Real price per person across the 10 options: US$ 114–US$ 239 (median US$ 130). With an extra fee to pay on site: 1 of 10. With 100+ reviews: 5 of 10.
Default order: price per person.
Sort
Espiritu Santo Island: Sea Lion Snorkeling & Balandra BeachYou board a shared boat at the La Paz marina and spend the day snorkeling in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with a chance to swim near wild sea lions (seasonal), explore reef-rich bays, eat lunch on board, and visit Balandra Beach. Equipment, guide, lunch and all entry fees are included; the boat returns in late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water with snorkeling and a famous beach without arranging your own boat, guide or lunch — the shared format keeps the price down while the certified guide and included equipment mean you don't need to bring anything except sunscreen and a towel.
Espíritu Santo Island Snorkeling Tour: Sea Lions & Balandra BeachYou’ll swim with playful sea lions, snorkel among colorful fish, and relax on Balandra’s soft sand—all in a small group led by local experts. If you want real wildlife encounters and time to soak up Baja’s beauty, this tour’s for you.
Snorkeling with sea lions in La Paz: Kayak, hike, lunchThis full-day adventure from La Paz combines a 3 km hike to Balandra beach, kayaking through mangroves and seabird habitat, and snorkeling at San Rafaelito to observe sea lions in their natural resting area. Bilingual marine biologist guides lead the day, which includes lunch with fresh ceviche, all snorkeling and kayak gear, and boat transport that skips the land-route lines to Balandra. The tour requires intermediate fitness and returns by mid-afternoon.Is it for me?Arriving by boat skips the land-route lines to Balandra and works for anyone without a car or staying in central La Paz—the day starts on the water instead of in traffic. The intermediate fitness requirement means the hike and water time suit someone comfortable with a few hours of movement, not a casual beach day.
Balandra Beach Catamaran from Los Cabos: Snorkel & Sea LionsYou drive to La Paz, board a French catamaran at Pichilingue port, and sail two hours to Balandra Beach, where you swim with sea lions, snorkel the reef, and kayak hidden coves. Breakfast and lunch are served onboard with an open bar. Round-trip transport from Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo is included, and the whole day runs about eight hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day away from Los Cabos without arranging your own boat, snorkel gear, or timing — the catamaran schedule and included transport handle all of it, and the open bar means you're not calculating costs as the day goes on.
Snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions in La PazSnorkel with whale sharks and sea lions in La Paz on a six-hour activity with a professional guide, federal permits, full gear and meals included. Groups max out at nine people per boat, and the guide rotates through smaller groups of two to four in the water so you decide how many times you enter. The day ends at Balandra beach with lunch and time to walk or rest on the sand.Is it for me?The activity runs six hours with multiple water entries on your terms, so it suits snorkelers who want time in the water rather than a quick dip. Moderate fitness and comfort in the ocean are needed; the ride can be choppy on windy days, and the boat rocks during the approach to whale sharks.
Espíritu Santo Island Snorkeling: Sea Lions & Balandra BeachThis snorkeling tour from La Paz visits Espíritu Santo Island in the Gulf of California, where you snorkel with sea lions and coral reefs, swim at Paradise beaches with lunch included, then finish at Balandra Beach—Mexico's most famous beach. The boat carries an onboard restroom and a certified bilingual guide; hotel pickup and all snorkeling gear, including wetsuit, are included. Sea lion snorkeling runs September through May only.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to snorkel with sea lions and coral reefs in one morning—the seasonal window (September through May) is when the sea lions are in the Gulf, and the boat's onboard restroom and included lunch mean you can stay on the water without breaking the day into logistics. If you travel June through August, the same beaches and reef snorkeling are there, but without the sea lions.
Espiritu Santo Island Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions GuideA six-and-a-half-hour snorkeling tour around Espiritu Santo Island and Balandra on a full-service yacht with marine biologist guides, all snorkeling gear, fresh-caught meals prepared on board, and a guided swim with sea lions. The boat carries a full bathroom and onboard kitchen, and the guide stays with you during the sea lion activity. A shared tour in English or Spanish.Is it for me?The boat departs from the water in Espiritu Santo, so you need no car to reach it—just a way to the dock. The full bathroom, onboard kitchen and marine biologist guide make this the version for anyone who wants the snorkeling and the sea lions without the small-boat trade-offs: no portable toilets, no pre-made food, no guide who stays on deck.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 9 of the 10 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last half a day or longer. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
La Paz & Balandra: Catamaran Snorkel, Sea Lions & Beach Lunch is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.91 out of 5 across 697 reviews.
