In recent years, the first whale sharks have arrived to La Paz Bay around mid to late November. We anticipate a similar arrival for the 2026 season—though, as always, nature follows its own rhythm. For those seeking the ideal experience, the season typically extends from late November through early April depending on the number of whale sharks in the area, offering exceptional opportunities to encounter these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. To ensure the most exclusive and timely experience, we invite you to contact us directly for the latest updates on sightings and conditions.

The Whale Shark Refuge Area in La Paz Bay is carefully managed by government authorities in collaboration with certified tour operators to ensure the conservation of these extraordinary animals. Access is strictly limited: only 14 boats are permitted per time slot, with four designated slots per day—allowing a maximum of 56 boats daily. Each morning at 7:00 AM, operators request access through an official system, and entry times are assigned by the authorities. While we are often granted our preferred schedule, during peak periods—such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter—demand is exceptionally high. On these dates, it is possible to receive a later time slot than requested, or, in rare cases, not be granted access for that day. As assignments are confirmed only that same morning, availability cannot be guaranteed in advance. For this reason, we recommend planning your experience with a degree of flexibility, allowing us to secure the best possible opportunity for your visit.

At Alba Expeditions, every journey is carefully planned around our guests, crew, vessels, permits, accommodations, and local operating conditions. Because our trips have limited availability and require significant advance preparation, the following payment and cancellation terms apply to all reservations.

By making a reservation and submitting a payment, the guest acknowledges and agrees to the payment and cancellation terms outlined below.

DAY TRIP

Payment

A 50% deposit is required to confirm and secure your reservation.

The remaining 50% balance is due 30 days before the scheduled departure date.

Reservations are not considered fully confirmed until the required deposit has been received.

Cancellations & Refunds

The 50% deposit is refundable only if Alba Expeditions is unable to operate the trip for one of the following reasons:

• We are unable to obtain the required permits or access to the whale shark area.

• Weather or sea conditions make it unsafe to operate the trip.

• A mechanical or operational issue prevents us from safely operating the trip.

• We are unable to reach the minimum number of four (4) guests required to operate the trip.

If Alba Expeditions cancels a trip for any of the reasons above, the guest may choose between:

1. A full refund of all payments made, or

2. Rescheduling the trip to another available date, subject to availability.

If the guest chooses to reschedule, the payment will be transferred to the new reservation.

Guest Cancellations

If a guest chooses to cancel a Day Trip for any reason other than those listed above, the 50% deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining 50% balance will not be charged if the cancellation is made before the balance due date.

Once the final balance has been paid, it is non-refundable.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

EXPEDITIONS

Our multi-day expeditions require substantial advance planning and involve a limited number of spaces. Vessels, crew, permits, accommodations, logistics, and other resources may be committed well in advance of departure.

Payment Schedule

The standard payment schedule is:

• Payment 1 — 25% Deposit: Required to confirm and secure your place on the expedition.

• Payment 2 — 50%: Due 120 days (4 months) before the scheduled departure date.

• Payment 3 — Final 25%: Due 60 days before the scheduled departure date.

All payments must be received by their respective due dates in order to maintain the reservation.

Guest Cancellations & Refunds

The following cancellation terms apply when a guest cancels their reservation:

More than 90 days before departure

• The initial 25% deposit is non-refundable.

• Payment 2, if already paid, is fully refundable.

• Any other payment already made beyond the initial deposit is refundable, provided the cancellation occurs more than 90 days before departure.

90 days or less before departure

• No payments are refundable.

• Any outstanding balance remains due according to the original payment schedule.

This means that once the trip is 90 days or less from departure, the reservation becomes fully non-refundable, regardless of whether the final payment has already been made.

Transfer of a Reservation

The initial 25% deposit is non-refundable. However, if Alba Expeditions is able to resell the guest's place to another guest, we may, at our discretion, offer the original guest a credit toward a future Alba Expeditions trip.

Any such credit is subject to availability and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Travel Insurance

Because expedition costs include substantial advance commitments, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical coverage, and evacuation coverage, where appropriate.

PRIVATE EXPEDITIONS

Private expeditions are planned exclusively for your group. Once dates are confirmed, we may reserve vessels, crew, accommodations, permits, and other resources specifically for your party.

Payment Schedule

The standard payment schedule is:

• Payment 1 — 25% Deposit: Required to confirm your reservation and secure your requested dates.

• Payment 2 — 50%: Due 90 days before the scheduled departure date.

• Payment 3 — Final 25%: Due 60 days before the scheduled departure date.

Guest Cancellations & Refunds

More than 90 days before departure

• 50% of the initial deposit is refundable.

• The remaining 50% of the deposit is non-refundable.

90 days or less before departure

• No payments are refundable.

• Any outstanding balance remains due according to the original payment schedule.

Because private expeditions are arranged exclusively around your group, once the reservation enters the 90-day period, the full reservation becomes non-refundable.

Cancellation by Alba Expeditions

In the unlikely event that Alba Expeditions must cancel an expedition due to circumstances within our operational control, we will offer either:

1. A full refund of payments received, or

2. The option to transfer the reservation to another available departure date.

If a trip must be canceled or substantially altered due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control—including severe weather, unsafe sea conditions, government restrictions, natural disasters, changes in regulations, or other force majeure events—we will work with the guest to determine the best available alternative.

Any refund or credit in such circumstances will be determined based on amounts that Alba Expeditions is able to recover from third-party providers and the specific circumstances of the cancellation.

Important Information

All departure dates, payment deadlines, and cancellation periods are calculated according to the scheduled departure date of the trip.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. The effective cancellation date is the date on which Alba Expeditions receives the written cancellation request.

Refunds, when applicable, will be processed to the original payment method.

Alba Expeditions strongly recommends that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance appropriate to the nature and destination of their trip.

Your safety and comfort are our highest priorities, and we carefully monitor conditions to ensure every tour takes place under optimal circumstances. On rare occasions—most commonly during the winter months—strong winds may lead local authorities to close the harbor to all marine activities. Should this occur, we will contact you 1–3 days in advance, once forecasts are sufficiently reliable. Whenever possible, we will gladly assist in rescheduling your experience to another suitable date, subject to availability. If rescheduling is not feasible, a full refund will be provided.

Children aged 5 to 9 who participate in the swimming activity are charged at the standard rate. Younger children (ages 2 to 4) are very welcome to join the tour on board. As the whale shark area is carefully regulated, all boats must pass through an official checkpoint, where every person on board—regardless of age—is counted toward the maximum capacity. If space is available on the day of your tour, younger children may join at no additional cost. If the boat is full, they would need to occupy a paid seat at the standard rate. We’re always happy to check availability with you in advance and help plan the best option for your family.

If you’re prone to seasickness, don’t worry—there are a few easy ways to make your trip more comfortable. We recommend having a light breakfast and taking something like Dramamine about two hours before your tour (just check with your doctor if needed). You can also reach out to us to check sea conditions for your tour day—we’re always happy to give you an honest idea of what to expect. If you’re especially sensitive, keep in mind that January and February tend to be the windiest months, so choosing another time of year may help ensure a smoother experience.

As we operate with very small groups and limited space on each boat, all guests are generally charged the same rate, regardless of participation in the water. That said, if we happen to have extra availability on the day of your tour, we may be able to offer a reduced rate for non-swimming companions. Please feel free to reach out to us in advance—we’ll be happy to check availability and assist you.

Because this expedition focuses on wide-ranging pelagic wildlife, which naturally moves across large areas, encounters can vary from day to day and cannot be guaranteed. Our team uses local knowledge, experienced captains, and real-time ocean conditions to guide our search and increase the chances of sightings. While nature ultimately decides, we do everything possible to give you the best chance of unforgettable wildlife encounters.