Straight answer · updated
When can you swim with whale sharks from Cabo, and what does it cost?
Short answer
You can swim with whale sharks from Cabo roughly November to April, and our trip costs $289 per person, plus 16% IVA. The trip lasts 10 hours and leaves at 7:00 AM, with a round-trip van to the waters near La Paz, a two-hour ride from Los Cabos.
Season and price from our whale shark trip, per person, before 16% IVA.
The whale shark trip at a glance
| Detail | Whale shark trip |
|---|---|
| Price per person | $289 |
| With 16% IVA | $335.24 |
| Length | 10 hours |
| Leaves at | 7:00 AM |
| Youngest age | 8 and up |
| Season | Roughly November to April |
From our live listing, updated . Tap the price to pick your date and book.
When you can swim with whale sharks
Whale shark season runs roughly November to April, and the swim happens in the waters near La Paz, a two-hour van ride from Los Cabos.
Whale sharks are wild animals, so no trip can promise one.
Whale watching season in Cabo runs from mid-December to mid-April, so the two seasons overlap and one trip can fit both. See our whale watching guide for the whales.
What the day looks like
The Swim with Whale Sharks in Cabo trip leaves at 7:00 AM and lasts 10 hours.
Snorkel alongside whale sharks in the nutrient-rich waters near La Paz, a two-hour van ride from Los Cabos, with professional bilingual guides sharing marine-life and conservation insights during whale shark season, roughly November to April.
You meet at the Cabo San Lucas marina, or we pick you up at select hotels.
Kids can come from age 8.
- Round-trip air-conditioned van from Los Cabos.
- Snorkel equipment and wetsuit.
- Bilingual guides.
- Baja-style lunch.
- Snacks during transport.
What you pay on top of the ticket
Checkout adds 16% IVA, so the $289 trip is $335.24 per person.
Tips are not in the price, and 15 to 20% for the guides is the suggested amount.
Also not included: personal spending money and alcoholic beverages unless noted.
Whales and private boats from Cabo
The Cabo Whale Watching tour costs $108 per person, plus 16% IVA, and lasts 2 hours.
For your own group, our 3-hour private yachts start at $850 for the whole boat, plus 16% IVA. The lowest 3-hour rate is on the Sailboat 42ft, and every boat is on our yacht charters page.
If you need to cancel
Plans change, so here is how cancelling works.
The whale shark trip follows our tour rule. More than 72 hours before your trip: 75% refund. From 48 to 72 hours before: 50% refund. Under 48 hours, a no-show, arriving late, seasickness or heading back early: no refund. If the port is closed, or the captain or tour team cancels for weather or safety, we move you to a new date. If no new date works for you, you get a full refund. Light rain or choppy water that the captain calls safe is not a cancellation.
Common questions
When is whale shark season in Cabo?
Whale shark season runs roughly November to April. The swim is in the waters near La Paz, a two-hour van ride from Los Cabos, and whale sharks are wild, so no trip can promise one.
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks from Cabo?
Our trip costs $289 per person, plus 16% IVA, so $335.24 with tax. Tips are extra, and 15 to 20% for the guides is the suggested amount.
How far is the whale shark swim from Cabo?
The swim is in the waters near La Paz, a two-hour van ride from Los Cabos. The round-trip van is included, and the whole trip lasts 10 hours.
How old do kids need to be?
Kids can join from age 8. The trip is a long day of 10 hours, so plan for an early start.
What is included on the whale shark trip?
The trip includes round-trip air-conditioned van from Los Cabos, snorkel equipment and wetsuit, bilingual guides, Baja-style lunch and snacks during transport.
What if we need to cancel the whale shark trip?
The whale shark trip follows our tour rule. More than 72 hours before your trip: 75% refund. From 48 to 72 hours before: 50% refund. Under 48 hours, a no-show, arriving late, seasickness or heading back early: no refund. If the port is closed, or the captain or tour team cancels for weather or safety, we move you to a new date. If no new date works for you, you get a full refund. Light rain or choppy water that the captain calls safe is not a cancellation.
Book the trip online, or message our concierge on WhatsApp and we will help you plan the day.
Written by the @Cabo concierge team · prices read from our live listings on · @Cabo (cabo.la) is operated by InstaCabo LLC.