Mexico: 2 weeks swimming with whales, dolphins, and orcas
Marlins
Seals
Whale sharks
Mobulas


2026
October 18 - November 2

  • 16 days
  • Humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, seals, marlins and whale sharks
  • level of difficulty: easy
  • 7.700 EUR
Highlights
Baja California is an elongated peninsula in Mexico, bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). It's a stunning place, unlike almost anywhere else in the world: snow-white dunes, mesmerizing desert landscapes, and enormous cacti surrounded by cliffs.

This small paradise has preserved its pristine natural beauty, attracting travelers from all over the world each year. But there's another major draw for adventurers: whales. Baja California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching!

Our main goal was to experience underwater encounters with marine life. That's why we began exploring this area, talking with local fishermen who know these waters better than anyone. It turns out you can swim with huge schools of manta rays, encounter whale sharks, watch marlins hunt, and even meet resident orcas. It's safe to say this region exceeded our expectations!
  • Humpback Whale Watching
    What makes the coast of Baja California Sur so special is that it sits right on the migration route for Alaskan humpback whales. Here, the chances of encountering pods of six or seven whales—or even more—are extremely high, and you can often hear them singing. If you're lucky, you might also spot blue, gray, and Bryde's whales during this time.
  • Searching for Orcas
    A relatively small population of carnivorous orcas (consisting of several families) permanently resides in these local waters, but finding them isn't always easy.
    To make our search more effective, we will use aerial scouting on certain days.
    These orcas' preferred diet consists of dolphins and mobula rays. We've chosen October as the best time to observe them: there are fewer tourists and boats around, but the orcas are still actively hunting in the area.
  • Swim with dolphins and seals
    Swimming with wild dolphins and seals is an incredible experience! They often travel in massive pods, and when we enter the water, they stop to play with us. Underwater, the dolphins come incredibly close, communicating through their whistles, while the seals swim right up to your face to look you straight in the eye.
  • Swimming with the Mobulas
    Nowhere else have we seen such large flocks of mobuli! These beautiful creatures slowly flutter in a huge flock (sometimes several hundred individuals) as if a wall from the depths to the surface of the ocean, and we swim with them at the same pace and contemplate. It's not uncommon for them to jump out of the water and flop loudly against the surface of the ocean - we call them ocean birds:)
  • Swim with whale sharks
    A truly amazing land - the ocean here is full of wonders! Another giant that everyone should meet on their way is the whale shark. The largest fish in the world - incredibly beautiful and absolutely safe!
  • We'll see marlins and other marine predators hunting sardines
    Bait balls are one of the most spectacular phenomena in the ocean: schools of small fish form a tight, swirling sphere to protect themselves from predators. A single sardine bait ball can measure 10 to 20 meters in diameter and extend up to 10 meters deep!
  • We'll live in an authentic fishing village by the ocean
    Puerto San Carlos is a tiny fishing town. We'll stay in a cozy, colorful hotel, sample authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood, and interact with the locals. Since English isn't widely spoken here, it's a great idea to brush up on a few Spanish phrases before you arrive! We'll also get to take in incredible sunrises and sunsets over the ocean.
  • Cactuses
    Have you ever seen cactuses in the fog? Silhouettes of huge perennial cactuses in a thick for look very exciting! We will also look for the Dragon Fruit-juicy exotic fruit, which ripens on wild cacti at this time of year.
  • Bird bazaars
    Imagine: thousands of pelicans, gulls, frigates and herons in one place! Flocks of birds take off, dive for fish as bombs, and then peacefully brush each other's feathers on the beach and bask in the sun. So at that time you walk along the sandy islet and look at them from a distance of outstretched arm. And there is nobody around!
  • Snow-white dunes
    The dunes are another highlight of the place: snow-white sands and dunes, and endless desert and Martian scenery. Bring bright outfits, colourful photos guaranteed!
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in La Paz
Fly into La Paz (airport code: LAP). We'll check into the hotel and have a welcome briefing. Get a good night's rest, as our first day on the ocean begins bright and early tomorrow!
Days 2–7. Ocean expeditions
We'll spend these days out on the water searching for whales, orcas, and other marine life. The ocean here is teeming with wildlife, so get ready for some incredible encounters!
Day 8: Rest Day
Take a well-deserved day off to relax, recharge, and enjoy the local surroundings.
Days 9–13. Back on the water
We'll head back out for more ocean outings in search of whales and other marine life. This rich ecosystem is home to humpback whales, dolphins, mobula rays, seals, and marlins. If we're lucky, we might even spot orcas and blue whales! Each day, we'll head out at sunrise and return closer to sunset so we don't miss a single second of the action.

After our final ocean expedition on Day 13, we'll head back to La Paz and check into our hotel to prep for tomorrow's adventure.
Day 14. Searching for whale sharks
Today, we're going whale shark watching! Every year around mid-October, these gentle giants arrive off the shores of La Paz. Because the exact start of the season varies from year to year, there is a chance they might not be here yet. If there aren't any whale sharks in the area, we have a great Plan B: swimming with the seals! There are hundreds of them here; they're incredibly sociable and always eager to pose for your camera.
After an action-packed day, we'll celebrate with dinner at a local coastal restaurant.
Day 15. Departure
Time to head to the airport and catch your flight home!
Price from 7.700 EUR
2026
October 18 - November 2
  • Included:
    • Boat charters and whale-swimming excursions
    • Expert guide
    • Professional boat crew
    • Exclusive lectures by Evgenia Timonova
    • Daily hotel breakfasts
    • Onboard snacks during ocean trips
    • Accommodations (double occupancy) and all scheduled transfers
    • Whale shark swimming in La Paz (with a backup plan to swim with seals if conditions require)
    • Aerial scouting to maximize wildlife sightings
  • Not included:
    • International flights and roundtrip domestic flights (Mexico City to La Paz)
    • Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit — available for rent locally)
    • Travel and medical insurance
    • Optional excursions
    • Single occupancy room supplement
  • Additional information
    • The ocean water temperature approximately 68°F (20°C)
    • Air temperature is about 73°F (23°C)
    • You do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if you already hold a valid US, Schengen, Canadian, or UK visa.
    • Currency: Mexican Peso
    • Sockets: North American Type A and B
  • To-pack list
    • Passport, printed airline tickets
    • Sunscreen
    • Sunglasses
    • Sun hat or cap
    • Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) and a 3–5mm wetsuit
    • Bug spray (insect repellent)
    • Windbreaker
    • Warm layers (for chilly mornings and evenings on the boat)
    • Swimsuit
    • Beach or travel towel
    • GoPro or waterproof camera
Your journey starts here!
Just give us some info and we'll contact you shortly.
Contacts
info@whale-expeditions.com