Baja Whale Shark Tours
Formerly Known as Baja AirVentures
Same Great Company & Ownership, Just a New Name!
Swim with gentle whale sharks in Bahía de las Animas from Las Animas Ecolodge—just 380 miles from San Diego—and enjoy a 6-day soft eco-adventure at the only boat-in ecolodge in Baja California, led by experienced Baja naturalist since 1989.
Whale Shark Trip Quick Facts
Everything you need to know at a glance
Imagine this transformative soft eco-adventure…daily Baja whale shark tours
filled with deep relaxation and moments like this…
Exploring the pristine nature and rare wildlife of Baja California with an experienced biologist
Watch Her Magical Baja Whale Shark Tours Experience
Experience Whale Sharks and so much more…
The closest Baja whale shark tours location to the US, where we average 3-8 whale shark encounters per trip.
The only boat-in Baja Ecolodge, and most pristine area in all of Baja – drastically different than staying at a resort with 1000’s of people.
Beachside comfortable Yurts, for a stress-free and restful vacation.
Swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks (have them all to yourself vs. sharing them with dozens of other boats and tourist groups)
Every Baja Whale Shark Tours Includes:
Scentic roundtrip boat-ride to pristine ecolodge location
6 Days in Untouched Nature Paradise
Your own peaceful ecolodge right on the Sea of Cortez
Small groups and no crowds! Only 12 very lucky guests per trip
ALL ecotour adventures and activities included with Baja biologists
Kayaks, paddle boards, and lots of other toys included
Ultimate Whale Shark Experience Brochure Download
Download our whale shark snorkeling brochure and find out why Baja Spirit’s Las Animas Ecolodge is ranked the #1 Tripadvisor Specialty Lodging in Baja California.
Happy Guests Served
Years in Business since 1989
Year Hall of Fame on Tripadvisor
Protected National Preserves and Unesco World Heritage Site
We are Baja Spirit, and our mission is to provide the most safe, fun, and memorable Baja whale shark tours that share the inspiring nature of Baja with people like you.
We’ve brought over 5,000 guests to Baja California, one small group at a time, since 1989.
We are a small ecolodge and ecotour company run by Kevin Warren and his wife Carolina. Our love and respect for the Baja nature, and passion to share it with others through fun and safe Baja whale shark tours and other eco-adventures is what keeps us going.
Located in a Unesco World Heritage site on the Sea of Cortez, in the magical Bahia De Las Animas, we offer a one-of-a-kind experience that brings you to the heart of Baja California, Mexico.
Our Founder
Kevin Warren
Our Location
Situated in between a Unesco World Heritage site, a National Marine Preserve, and the largest Desert Preserve in Latin America, we have a truly one-of-a-kind location.
Our ecolodge is scenic boat journey travel along the shore and past islands 12 miles from the nearest town, Bahia de los Angeles (Bay of the Angels). Our views here are pure untouched nature – vastly different from the typical Cabo and La Paz “Baja Experience” with tourist resorts, crowds, and noise.
Our Staff
Our staff consists of experienced Naturalist Guides, Field biologists and local Mexican staff of boat captains, fishermen, chefs, and the cleaning care of our ecolodges, and bring so much to the entire Baja Spirit experience.
Our team is committed to providing our guests with safe guided experiences, outstanding service, mouth-watering fresh food, and an added slice of authentic Mexican culture.
Welcome to a worry-free Baja whale shark tours where you can truly let go, relax, and enjoy.
Got Questions? Want to Reserve Your Whale Shark Snorkeling Adventure?
Here’s a sneak peak of what your Baja whale shark tours and snorkeling will look like:
Relax and explore as much as you want, all week.
• Daily excursions with a Baja naturalist / biologist guide
• Snorkel with gentle whale sharks
• Licensed Fishing (guarenteed catching!)
• Snorkeling with friendly sea lions
• Exploring offshore islands
• Mangrove forest adventures
• Bird watching
• Seeing pods of dolphins
• Sightings of other whales
• Sea Kayaking
• Taking walks or invigorating hikes
• Relaxing in your private beachside Yurt hammock
• Finding your own private cove with no one around
• Enjoying the peace and serenity of Las Animas
• And much more!
Guests come on our Baja whale sharks ecotour, and return for our…
Kind and attentive naturalist guides and local staff
Praise from our Baja whale shark tours guests:
This is a very special and unique destination. The opportunity to see so much marine and wildlife in a very pristine environment is priceless. The staff was wonderful.
Our guides Carlos and Kevin really made our adventure a lot of fun. We were able to see all the animals on the check off list.
The boat captains did a good job getting us to see whale sharks and all the other marine life. Jorge, America and Susie prepared delicious flavorful meals. They made ceviche and other dishes with the fish we caught in the evening.
This is definitely a five star destinations.
We have been on lots of amazing vacations. We have many more on our “gotta do list.” But we loved the 2016 trip to Las Animas so much, we decided to do a repeat trip.
The food, fun, relaxation and incredible animal experiences draw us back to this magical place.
Both times we had incredible opportunities to swim with the whale sharks and other sea life.
Both times the food was very good (the mole made by Chef Jorge was A-MAZING!) This trip was improved by the wonderful folks that joined us!!
Grand Mom & Grandson Amazing Whale Shark Adventure!
My grandson and I just got back from five days at the Baja AirVenture’s Eco-Lodge south of Bahia de Los Angeles, called by many Americans the Bay of LA!
Three of the days we swam with the whale sharks that inhabit the area, and one day there were five of those sharks!
The staff was extremely accommodating to my dietary needs and and to the desires of a thirteen year old boy…including fishing, hunting octopus, wake boarding, and snorkeling! They also let him drive the boat under the guidance of Captain Samuel!
All in all, we had the time of our lives! I’m sure this is etched into my grandson’s memory. It is in mine!
Ultimate Whale Shark Experience Brochure Download
Download our whale shark snorkeling brochure and find out why Baja Spirit’s Las Animas Ecolodge is ranked the #1 Tripadvisor Specialty Lodging in Baja California.
🐋 About Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez
What Are Whale Sharks?
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the world’s largest fish, reaching lengths of 40+ feet, yet they are gentle filter-feeders that pose no threat to humans. They feed exclusively on plankton, krill, and small fish by filtering up to 1,500 gallons of water per hour through their gills.
Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, responsible whale shark tourism is critical for their conservation. Every encounter at Bahía de las Animas follows strict Mexican government regulations to ensure both your safety and the animals’ well-being.
Why Whale Sharks Visit Bahía de las Animas
Whale sharks migrate to the Sea of Cortez between September and November, following seasonal blooms of plankton driven by nutrient-rich upwelling currents. Ocean temperatures of 78–82°F during these months create ideal feeding conditions.
Bahía de las Animas sits at the northern range of the Sea of Cortez whale shark population, offering encounters with juvenile and sub-adult whale sharks ranging from 12–25 feet and adults up to 40 feet long. On our 6-day trips, guests typically encounter 4 to 12+ individual whale sharks across 4 dedicated mid-morning snorkeling outings.
Factors affecting sightings include ocean conditions, plankton density (their food source), and moon phase. While we cannot guarantee specific numbers — they’re wild animals — our 35+ years operating in this area gives us exceptional knowledge of where and when to find them.
Responsible Whale Shark Tourism with Baja Spirit
All Baja Spirit whale shark encounters follow Mexican government regulations for sustainable wildlife tourism:
- Minimum Distance: Swimmers maintain at least 6 feet (2 meters) from whale sharks
- No Contact: No touching, chasing, or blocking the whale sharks’ path
- Limited Swimmers: Maximum 2–4 swimmers in the water at a time per whale shark
- Encounter Duration: Brief swimming sessions to minimize stress on the animals
- Experienced Guides: All guides are Baja naturalists or field biologists trained in marine mammal protection protocols
Our Unique Advantage: Unlike La Paz’s 10–20 boat zones, Bahía de las Animas averages only 1–3 boats total in the area. This ensures a low-impact, intimate soft eco-adventure experience where you often have whale sharks all to yourself.
6-day All-Inclusive Baja Whale Shark
Ecotour Snorkeling Adventure
Filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
DAY 1
We meet-up at Brown Field, San Diego at 6:30am. Shuttle down from SD and cross border to clear customs. Scenic drive along the Sea of Cortez and Sonoran Desert. Transfer to boats and boat ride to our Las Animas Ecolodge. Evening to settle in with fantastic food, a beautiful sunset, and star-filled skies.
DAYS 2-5
DAY 6
#1 Specialty Ecolodge in Baja
Our truly unique Las Animas Ecolodge location in Baja offers 8 romantic, private beach-side yurts featuring a California King Sized Bed with a Pillow-Top Memory Foam Mattress. Each ecolodge has its own bathroom with a pressurized shower and Sun/Mar Eco-Toilets. Each yurt is spacious and beautifully designed with skylight roofs. Step outside and relax on your own covered deck with a hammock and Adirondack Chairs overlooking the sea. Walk along the beach to our main lodge for every meal, evening campfires, and group activities.
“The best food I’ve eaten”
Food is a key element to any travel experience and in our case, the source of a good deal of positive feedback from our clients. We use only the freshest local ingredients when we prepare top quality meals for our guests. Whenever possible our staff and guests harvest seafood from the ocean by fishing and snorkeling. Fresh from the sea, Baja Spirit/Baja Airventures creates cuisine that would make any chef envious. Meals are well balanced and servings ample. We can also accommodate special vegetarian or vegan diets.
Our New Worry-Free Booking & Cancellation Policy Guarantee
You may reschedule any new or existing reservations for any tour with us at no charge if there are any official health/travel government restrictions in place.
2026 Pricing
2025 SOLD OUT. Call or Email Today for 2026 Availability & Special Pricing- All inclusive 6-day trip
- Private #1 specialty ecolodge accommodation
- All meals included and catered by staff
- Guided daily adventures with experienced Baja naturalists
- Free use of all sporting gear
- Nature & Cultural Immersion in Mexico
- Enjoying a week on a beach to yourself
- Maximum 10 guests (average 8)” — or 16 if discussing private group capacity
- Swimming & snorkeling with gentle whale sharks & playful sea lions
Call Today to Reserve Your Baja Whale Shark Snorkerling Date
With our Worry-Free Booking & Cancellation Policy
*Please add 13% Mexican taxes & fees, 3% National Park Tax
*Please plan to tip our local staff for their significant care and effort
*No bookings & departure dates are confirmed without signing advance registration form and paid deposits.
Date change requests are only valid with mutual written agreement, and date change fee may apply.
2025 SOLD OUT
2026 Baja Whale Shark Snorkeling Availability
Call for Updated Availability & Special Pricing
2026:
|
Availability |
Aug. 31 – Sept 5 |
SOLD OUT |
Sept 7 – Sept 12 |
4 open |
Sept 14 – Sept 19 |
8 open |
Sept 21 – Sept 26 |
3 open |
Sept 28 – Oct 3 |
SOLD OUT – Birthday Celebrations |
Oct 5 – Oct 10 |
1 open ( Sale Pending) |
Oct 12 – Oct 17 |
SOLD OUT – Family Reunion |
Oct 19 – Oct 24 |
8 open |
Oct 26 – Oct. 31 |
SOLD OUT |
Nov. 2 – Nov. 7 |
SOLD OUT |
2027 Baja Whale Shark Snorkeling Availability
Call for Updated Availability
Book by 5/1/26 and get 2026 Pricing
2027:
|
Availability |
Aug. 30 – Sept 4 |
SOLD OUT |
Sept 6 – Sept 11 |
8 open |
Sept 13 – Sept 18 |
6 open |
Sept 21 – Sept 26 |
10 open |
Sept 27 – Oct 2 |
10 open |
Oct 4 – Oct 9 |
10 open |
Oct 11 – Oct 16 |
10 open |
Oct 18 – Oct 23 |
8 open |
Oct 25 – Oct. 30 |
SOLD OUT |
Nov. 1 – Nov. 6 |
SOLD OUT |
Enhance the quality of your life.
“The intense beauty, great food, relaxed atmosphere and ever increasing variety of activities to partake in all contribute to an incredible experience.
This a magical place”
“Muchas gracias! I don’t think I ever returned to New York so relaxed.
One of my best-all travel experiences!”
This is the first time my wife has said she wants to return to the same spot for another vacation.
We will be back!”
Baja Whale Shark Tour: Soft Eco-Adventures
Limited seats are filling up quickly for 2026!
Call (+1) 619-421-2235 now to reserve for this year!