We are thrilled to offer a special encounter with the whale sharks of Bahía La Paz, when conditions and reserve operations allow, during our 12-day Baja Whalewatching tours as an optional, add-on experience. (Not suitable for novice swimmers, though non-swimmers are welcome in the panga for photographing and observing.)
Whale shark @ Linda Janes
Searcher Natural History Tours has contracted with local, licensed tour operators and guides to provide this unique opportunity to our passengers. A comfortable, shaded panga boat will arrive to collect groups of snorkelers and observers for an expertly piloted tour of the emerald waters near the entrance of La Paz bay in search of the biggest fish on the planet! Snorkelers are permitted to actually swim alongside these massive, awe-inspiring creatures within the Whale Shark Reserve’s guidelines (six swimmers at a time, maintaining a distance away from the shark, and no touching). And those who chose to remain on the boat are treated to up-close opportunities to observe and photograph the whale sharks as they swim and feed in the clear, warm, and plankton-rich waters. The accompanying local guide will share research, natural history, and behavior information about the impressive whale sharks with guests, and be in the water with snorkelers to model appropriate underwater observations.
Having a close encounter with a whale shark was an unexpected and unique event added to passengers’ many highlights of Searcher Natural History Tours’ Baja Whalewatching adventures. We will make this resoundingly popular experience available for future tours, weather and presence of sharks permitting. The price will be in addition to the tour fee since we can’t guarantee it until a day or two prior. Those that choose to stay aboard Searcher do not need to pay, and still maybe able to observe the area’s sharks. Please contact our office in advance of your tour to find out the final arrangements. In the meantime, please enjoy the photos and imagine what it would be like to swim alongside a 25-foot long fish….
(Many thanks to Lee Morgan for use of his beautiful photo of shark and snorkeler.)
