The Hook Experiences, 3 Hours

Overview

This half-day outing from The Hook Experiences puts you in the Sea of Cortez for three hours with the whale sharks that gather off La Paz. The whole activity runs from a single meeting point on the Malecon, near the corner of 16 de Septiembre and the Kiosk de Malecon, next to Cornelio Cantina. You start there, head out on the boat, swim when it is your turn, and finish back at the same spot. The listed start time is 12:00.

Gear is taken care of. Snorkel equipment and wetsuits are provided, water is supplied, and all fees and taxes are in the price. A guide speaks English and Spanish. Gratuities for the captain and guide are the one thing left to your discretion.

It suits travellers with moderate fitness who are comfortable in open water. The boat carries up to 20 people, and one reviewer estimated only about 15 minutes of actual time in the water on their trip. If you want a shorter swim on a busy boat rather than an intimate trip, keep that picture in mind before booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on the MaleconCheck in at the The Hook Experiences office on Paseo Alvaro Obregon, near the corner of 16 de Septiembre and the Kiosk de Malecon, next to Cornelio Cantina. The listed start time is 12:00.
2. Boat out to the siteTravel by boat out into the Sea of Cortez toward the whale shark area. One reviewer described the journey to and from the site as rough on their trip.
3. Swim with whale sharksWith a large group, individual water time is limited; one reviewer estimated roughly 15 minutes in the water.
4. Return to the meeting pointThe boat heads back and the activity ends at the same office on the Malecon where it began. The full tour lasts 3 hours, with the admission ticket included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this trip goes for you, from boat conditions to how the group rotates through the water.

• Group size. The boat takes a maximum of 20 travellers. One reviewer called the day disorganised and estimated only about 15 minutes of actual water time. Go in expecting turns in the water rather than a long private swim.
• Fitness and water comfort. The listing asks for a moderate physical fitness level. Travellers with back problems, heart conditions, or who are pregnant are advised not to book.
• Wetsuit and gear. Snorkel equipment and wetsuits are included, along with drinking water. All fees and taxes are covered in the booking price. Only gratuities for the captain and guide are extra.
• Sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, and the ride to and from the site was rough on one reviewer's trip. Another mentioned choppy water on the day they swam. If the trip is cancelled for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
• Timing flexibility. The listed start is 12:00, but the operator may contact you before the day to shift the time, as happened to one cruise passenger. Keep your schedule loose if you can, and watch for messages from the operator ahead of departure.
• Kids and infants. Infants must sit on laps, so families with very small children can join but should plan for that constraint. The trip is not wheelchair accessible. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Common issues. The honest weak spot is crowding: with up to 20 travellers on one boat, one reviewer found the day highly disorganised, rushed and chaotic, with limited water time. The crossing was rough in both directions on that same trip, and choppy surface conditions came up in another review. One cruise passenger reported that after the operator moved the departure time too late to fit their ship schedule, they had to cancel inside the 24-hour window and were not refunded. Beyond that, the listing rules out wheelchair access and does not recommend the trip for pregnant travellers or those with back problems.

Common Questions