Day tours start at 8:00 AM. Start time is weather-dependent and may change — we confirm your exact time the day before or the morning of.

The 6-hour day tour (Ocean Safari) meets at the Playa Central boat ramp. The multi-day expeditions (Blue Expedition and Master Seafari) meet at La Ventana Hostel.

Sometimes, when conditions and the animals allow it. We do not chase, force, or rush in. The team positions carefully, waits, and only enters the water when the moment is calm and appropriate. Whales are observed from the boat, and if an animal does not want to interact, we leave it alone.

Pack light: a swimsuit, reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide based, no oxybenzone), a hat, polarized sunglasses, a quick-dry towel, and a light windbreaker for the return trip. We provide snorkeling kit, fins, and life jackets in all sizes. Please bring your own wetsuit. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want personal photos. Trip photos and video may be shared after the tour when conditions allow.

Basic swimming ability is the only physical requirement — you should be able to tread water for 2-3 minutes and feel comfortable putting your face in the ocean. No diving certification, prior snorkeling experience, or specific fitness level is needed. Our guides match the pace to the slowest swimmer in the group, and we keep groups small — 6 guests per boat on day trips and up to 12 per multi-day expedition — so nobody gets left behind. Children of all ages and adults are welcome.

A 60% deposit is required to confirm your reservation, with the remaining balance due 2 weeks before departure. Deposits are non-refundable but fully transferable to another date, another guest, or a different tour within 12 months. We also reschedule at no cost if weather conditions make the ocean unsafe — the final go/no-go call is made the morning of the tour. Read our full Terms of Service at /terms before booking.

La Ventana is a 45-minute drive south of La Paz (LAP) airport, and approximately 2.5 hours from Los Cabos (SJD) airport. The most reliable options are: rent a car at the airport (recommended for flexibility), book a private shuttle (~$80 USD one-way from La Paz), or take a taxi (~$60 USD). Multi-day packages including Blue Expedition and Master Seafari include round-trip airport transfers from either La Paz or Los Cabos at no extra cost.

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed — that is part of working with a real ocean. We know the seasons, recent activity, and local water, but the animals choose their own path. Orcas are opportunistic around Cerralvo and the southern Sea of Cortez, mobula ray schools build through spring and summer, and whale activity is strongest in the cooler months. If we have a tour with no wildlife sightings, we offer a free reschedule.

Children of all ages are welcome on Ocean Safari day trips. Multi-day expeditions are recommended for ages 12+. We provide child-sized fins and life jackets, and our guides have run dozens of family tours from La Ventana. Please bring your own wetsuits. For private family bookings, we can fully customize the route, pace, and snorkeling stops. Contact us to discuss your family.

Blue Expedition and Master Seafari guests stay at La Ventana Hostel — our boutique basecamp 5 minutes from the boat ramp. Each booking includes a private room with an en-suite bathroom, 24/7 hot water, high-speed fiber internet, daily housekeeping, and a smoothie bar serving organic breakfast. The terrace has panoramic Sea of Cortez views and is the best sunrise spot in town. Single-occupancy and double-occupancy rates are both available.