Swim with sea lions and Balandra Bay from La Paz
- From Departs from La Paz
- 4 hours
- up to 15 guests
- All year
Photos: Juan Cruzado Cortés, CC BY 4.0 · Ewout Knoester, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Matthew T Rader, CC BY-SA 4.0 · ProtoplasmaKid, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CHRM, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cvmontuy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Four hours by catamaran from La Paz: swim near the sea lions resting at San Rafaelito, then go in to the shallows of Balandra Bay and its mushroom rock.
What you do
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Paddleboarding
Highlights
- Swim and snorkel near the California sea lions that rest at San Rafaelito
- Balandra's shallow bay and El Hongo, its mushroom-shaped rock
- Four hours from Marina Cortez and back
- Wetsuits, snorkel gear and paddleboards on board
About this trip
San Rafaelito is a small rock with a lighthouse on it, about nine nautical miles north of Marina Cortez, inside the Balandra protected area. California sea lions use it as a resting site, and the park allows swimming and snorkeling around it but no landing.
Balandra is the second stop: a bay of shallow water over pale sand, with a dune behind the beach and, in the bay, El Hongo, the mushroom-shaped rock that has become the emblem of La Paz.
This is a four-hour route we have designed for Pacifico, a 51-foot catamaran with a captain, a hostess and a chef. About two hours and a quarter go to the run there and back, which leaves about 45 minutes at each stop.
Itinerary
After departure: 0:00
Board at Marina Cortez
Meet the crew at Marina Cortez on the La Paz waterfront for a safety briefing. We planned the times on this page at 10 knots; they are not Pacifico's own timetable.
After departure: 0:10
North past Pichilingue
Out through the harbour channel and north along the coast past the Pichilingue peninsula to the first stop.
After departure: 1:10
San Rafaelito
About 45 minutes at the lighthouse rock. Pacifico stays outside the small protected zone around it, which boats over 12 metres may not enter, and you swim or snorkel in, or watch the sea lions from the deck. Snorkelers wear life jackets.
After departure: 2:05
Balandra Bay
Go in on the tender or a paddleboard to the shallows, the beach and El Hongo. Climbing the rock is not allowed.
After departure: 2:50
Return to La Paz
About eleven nautical miles back to Marina Cortez, arriving just before the end of the fourth hour.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
Can you swim with the sea lions all year?
The park's management plan allows swimming and snorkeling at San Rafaelito and names no season. La Paz's tourism board gives September to May as the time to swim with sea lions, and the national park closes the breeding colony at Los Islotes to swimmers from June 1 to August 31. For a June, July or August date we'll confirm what is open at San Rafaelito; you can always watch the sea lions from the boat.
Is this the same sea lion colony as Los Islotes?
No. Los Islotes is the breeding colony off the north end of Isla Partida, about 27 nautical miles from Marina Cortez, and it takes a full day; see our Espíritu Santo Island tour. San Rafaelito is a resting site close enough for a half day.
Can the yacht go into Balandra Bay?
No. The park's management plan closes the bay to boats over 12 metres, and the inner lagoon is open only to small craft without motors. Pacifico is 51 feet, about 15.5 metres, so she stops outside and you go in on the tender or a paddleboard.
Is there a park fee?
Yes. Balandra and San Rafaelito are a federal protected area, and each visitor pays the park fee of MXN 125 per person per day. Children under 12, seniors and people with disabilities are exempt, and Mexican nationals and foreign residents pay half.
Is it suitable for children and people who do not snorkel?
Yes. The sea lions can be watched from the deck, and Balandra's water is shallow, with a gentle slope up to the beach.
Is food included on a four-hour trip?
Pacifico's four-hour charter includes a platter of charcuterie, cheeses and fruit, with soft drinks and water. Alcohol is not included.
How many people can come?
Pacifico's price covers 8 guests and she takes up to 15, at US$120 for each extra guest.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
What if the weather turns?
If we are unable to complete your cruise because of the weather, you receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. A 50% deposit confirms your date and the balance is due 7 days before the cruise.
$2,000+ Tax
4 hours · 2 guests