The 2025-2026 whale shark season in La Paz wrapped up on April 30 after five and a half months, drawing 45,350 visitors and logging 950 sightings of 56 individually identified sharks. The strong season marked a sharp rebound from the previous year, when cold water and food shortages forced an early closure.
Héctor Aguilar, a member of the La Paz Whale Shark Committee, said February and March were the peak months, each drawing more than 9,400 visitors. Tours were fully booked throughout the season, with prices ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 pesos per person (roughly $65 to $90 USD).
New Sharks and Familiar Patterns
Of the 56 whale sharks identified this season, 20 were documented in La Paz Bay for the first time. Researchers recorded that 94.4% of the individuals were juvenile males, while only 3.7% were female. This matches historical data for the bay, which serves as a seasonal feeding ground for young male whale sharks from November through April.
The sharks congregate in the bay when water conditions favor plankton concentration near the surface. That food supply is what makes the area so reliable for sightings during peak months.
Monthly Breakdown Shows Clear Peak
November opened the season with the lowest attendance at 4,478 visitors. December brought 8,418, and January drew 8,141. The season peaked in February and March before tapering off in April, which closed with 5,439 visitors.
“February and March, being the months with the highest visitor numbers, are also the months with the most shark sightings, allowing for a smooth flow of activity and ensuring a satisfactory experience for everyone,” Aguilar said.
A Bounce Back From Last Year
The 2024-2025 season ended prematurely in early February after a sharp drop in water temperature scattered the whale shark population. Cold water reduced the plankton supply, and the sharks simply left. Tour operators were forced to cancel trips, leaving many visitors disappointed.
This season’s full five-and-a-half-month run, by contrast, indicates stable feeding conditions in the bay throughout the winter. The next whale shark season is expected to begin in November 2026, pending the sharks’ return and sufficient sighting numbers to trigger the regulatory committee’s approval for tours.
La Paz Bay sits about two hours north of Los Cabos International Airport. Whale shark tours depart from the La Paz waterfront, and the designated swim zone is just minutes offshore. The season’s data was first reported by the Gringo Gazette.