A wildlife adventure with endless possibilities: every Ocean Safari is unrepeatable. Explore Baja’s wildlife with a marine biologist. Small-group snorkeling & freediving. Connect with wildlife.
La Ventana·Sea of Cortez·Marine Biologist·Wildlife Encounters·Snorkeling·Freediving·Baja California Sur·Small Groups·Day Trip·La Ventana·Sea of Cortez·Marine Biologist·Wildlife Encounters·Snorkeling·Freediving·Baja California Sur·Small Groups·Day Trip·
The Experience
Expect the Unexpected
Day Trip · La Ventana · Sea of Cortez
Scientists call La Ventana’s waters a biodiversity hotspot: abundance, diversity, and unpredictability all in one place. One day it’s mobulas and dolphins, the next whales and sea lions, maybe even orcas or blue whales.
The ocean decides what you’ll see, and that unpredictability is exactly what makes every Ocean Safari unrepeatable. We head out with a marine biologist and local captains, in search of as much wildlife as possible.
Whenever it’s safe and ethical to do so, we get in the water. No script. No fixed route. Just pure exploration.
When to Come
Wildlife by Season
La Ventana’s ocean changes throughout the year. Different seasons bring different species. Here’s what to expect depending on when you visit.
Season
Whale Season
December – April
Blue whale (most likely March-April)
Humpback whale
Fin whale
Bryde’s whale (year round, occasional)
Warm layers recommended — mornings can be cold
Peak Season
Mobula Season
April – Early July
Mobula rays (thousands)
Whale shark (occasional)
Oceanic manta ray (later in the season, occasional)
Multiple dolphin species
Sea turtles
The largest ray aggregation on the planet
Year Round
Always Here
Every Month
Dolphins (multiple species)
California sea lions
Sea turtles
Reef fish & invertebrates
Seabirds
These are our most reliable encounters
Rare & Unexpected
The Wild Cards
Year Round — Never Guaranteed
Orcas
Pilot whales
False killer whales
Sharks
And more…
When they show up, it’s unforgettable
What makes this trip
Why People Come Back
9+
Expert-Led
Marine Biologist Every Day
Every Ocean Safari is guided by a marine biologist. You don’t just see the animals, you understand them. What they’re doing, why it matters, and how to behave around them.
Biodiversity
Different Every Time
No two Ocean Safaris are alike. The ocean decides what shows up, and that unpredictability is what makes it special.
Ethical
Animals First, Always
We never stress wildlife. Encounters happen on the animals’ terms: calm, ethical, and real.
Small Groups
Fewer People, More Ocean
Small groups mean more personal encounters, quieter entries into the water, and a completely different energy than a crowded tour boat. This is how wildlife encounters should feel.
The Details
What’s Included
Included
Marine biologist guide
Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
GoPro videos of your experience
Snacks, light lunch & water
Round-trip transport from La Paz *optional, extra
Small group (max 6-8 guests)
Taxes (16% mandatory IVA)
Not Included
Tips / gratuities
Breakfast
Wetsuit (available to rent at checkout)
Personal travel or medical insurance
Anything not listed above
Schedule
7:00 – 8:00 am
Depending on the season, your tour will start at this time in La Ventana.
Departures
La Paz & La Ventana
Minimum 4 people required. Solo travelers can join an open group.
What to Bring
Swimsuit, towel, hat
Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, rashguard, dry bag, waterproof jacket. Seasick? Take Dramamine that morning.
Traveler Reviews
What People Say
Real reviews from travelers who’ve joined us in the water.
Posted on Google
kirk godfrey
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A Great Day with Freefall Academy!
I am usually looking for scuba diving but I only had a few days in La Paz and didn't want to bring an extra bag of scuba gear so I asked my local dive shop if they could recommend a snorkel trip in La Paz. They highly recommended Freefall Academy and urged me to sign up for the Mobula Ray Safari. I traveled with some family so I signed everyone up for a Monday safari. There was great communication with Valentina and Sara with detailed instructions and contact information if there were any questions. We were picked up from our hotel at 6:00 AM by Jose who was prompt and accommodating for our drive to La Ventana to meet the boat and our guide, Imelda.
When we arrived we meet up with another group of 3 people and the boat was ready to go at 7:00 AM. We were lucky to have such a great guide, Imelda took the time to ask everyone what they would like to see the most and explained that we would try to find what we would like to see but we would be flexible on what sea life we would encounter and what the ocean would provide for the day. We set out to see if we could find Mobula Rays, we came across a few but they were mating and not approachable. Off we went in another direction and didn't see much for awhile and then it got busy, we saw so much - blue whales, a school of amber jacks, dolphins, a snorkel with what seemed like a hundred puffer fish, and then an amazing snorkel with a Giant Manta Ray that was very close to the surface, followed by a snorkel close to sunning sea lions. We took a slow boat ride back and enjoyed some very good ceviche and fresh fruit for lunch. Imelda also took some great video on a GoPro and Airdropped the videos to everyone. It was so awesome to be able to take the video home on our phones!
I cant think of many places in the world where you can encounter as much as we did on a snorkel safari that lasted about 6 hours.
I would absolutely go on another trip with Freefall Academy, it was a great experience for everyone, and the snorkel with the Manta Ray was bucket list stuff!
Posted on Google
Gabriela Brana
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Hermoso safari de mar donde respetan la fauna e informan a los turistas desde el punto de vista de una bióloga marina. Nos encantó el tour y lo recomendamos!!
Posted on Google
Meredith Maclay
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
It was an action packed 6 hours, we saw a fin whale, sea turtles, sea lions teens floating on their backs, tons of birds, snorkeled with puffer fish who swim right up to you and say hello, we fed pelicans and of course saw many fling mobula rays. For lunch they fed us the most delicious ceviche I’ve ever had. Our guide was a marine biologist and knew a lot. Our captain was the nicest guy with a great sense of taste and a great sense for the game and the way he handled it was so much more than just a little bit of a a little bit more than a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little bit a little humor. Great day
Posted on Google
Marnie Cadden
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can’t say enough positive things about this company. Starting off, the communication between the company was outstanding. Sara was beyond helpful in all questions and information that I had and responded promptly. The company was in clear communication throughout my entire four days of tour. One of the reasons that I chose to go with the company was because they followed a lot of ethical procedures when encountering the marine life. Imelda was my guide for all of my tours and I can’t speak highly enough! She is a marine biologist and was so fun and knowledgeable about all the things we encountered, and made sure that everybody was treating the ocean with respect. The captains were extremely knowledgeable about the area and knew exactly where to go for the animals that we were looking for. The tour itself included photos as well as a delicious lunch. We saw so much marine life. He had such an enjoyable time that I signed up for more days. Thank you so much to the entire Freefall Academy crew, I had such a wonderful time on my trip!
Posted on Google
Santiago Valverde
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Increíble experiencia de Ocean Safari en la Ventana. Super recomendado
Posted on Google
Anthony Orkiolla
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great tour from Imelda. We saw bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, swam near sea lions, saw a mobula and a mako shark!
Posted on Google
Shorty Hubbard
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The people are kind and nothing is guaranteed, but the interactions with the wildlife are amazing
Posted on Google
Andrea Valencia
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Muy lindo el tour vimos muchos delfines, nadamos con lobos marinos y alcanzamos a ver un tiburón ! Imelda súper buena guía pasamos un muy buen rato con ella ❤️
Posted on Google
Alejandra Badillo
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Increible experiencia! Jitka fue increibleee hizo que disfrutaramos mil la experiencia! Gracias por todo!
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Reserve Your Spot
Pricing & Availability
$3,200 MXN / person
Private charters also available — see options at checkout
An Ocean Safari is not like visiting a dive site. Here, we head out to the ocean in search of whatever the ocean decides to gift us that day. Every outing is different, with no script and no fixed route. With the help of a marine biologist guide and local captains, we go in search of as much wildlife as possible: mobula rays, dolphins, whales, sea lions, and sometimes even rare encounters with orcas or blue whales. Whenever conditions allow, we get in the water to snorkel or freedive with the animals, always with an ethical approach, never disturbing.
La Ventana’s waters are a true biodiversity hotspot. Year-round you can almost always find bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, and sea turtles. Depending on the season, you might also encounter mobula rays, whale sharks, humpback whales, blue whales, fin whales, giant manta rays, orcas, pilot whales, and more. Check our seasonal wildlife calendar to see what’s happening month by month.
There’s no difference. They’re the exact same tour.
We used to call it the “Mobula Safari” during mobula season. Now we run Ocean Safaris all year, so it doesn’t make sense to separate them anymore.
Here’s what it is: we head out to sea and see what we find. Same experience every day, in every season. There is no need to book a Mobula Safari: if you come in Mobula Season (Mid April to early July), you’ll most likely see Mobulas on your Ocean Safari.
No freediving experience needed. You just need to be comfortable in the water and able to snorkel. Almost all of the wildlife we encounter stays at or near the surface, so snorkelers have exactly the same experience as freedivers. If you do freedive, great, but you won’t miss a thing if you don’t.
Since 2025, swimming with orcas is officially regulated and permitted in La Ventana, and we operate with fully certified boats and crew. Whether you get in the water with them depends on their behavior in the moment. Orcas are unpredictable and cover huge distances daily, so sightings are never guaranteed. But when it happens, it’s one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on the planet. Read more: Swimming with orcas in Mexico is now legal and The honest truth about orca encounters in La Ventana.
Orcas can appear any month of the year in La Ventana. In recent seasons we’ve noticed more frequent sightings from April to August, though this can vary year to year. If seeing orcas is the only reason you’re coming, we wouldn’t suggest it. If you want a higher chance to see even more wildlife (which may include orcas), joining for multiple days, or booking a Mobula Ray Expedition — significantly increases your chances through more time at sea and more search effort.
We depart from La Ventana, Baja California Sur. Round-trip transport from La Paz is optional as an add on and it’s about a 45-minute drive. If you’re flying in, the closest airport is La Paz (LAP; 45 min from La Ventana) or Los Cabos (SJD), roughly 2 hours from La Ventana.
6/7 am — Hotel pickup in La Paz and drive to La Ventana * only for those who selected from La Paz option
7/8am–1/2 pm — Ocean Safari (sometimes extends a bit)
2:00–3:30 pm — Hotel drop-off in La Paz
Times are approximate and may vary depending on conditions and wildlife encounters.
June-October offers warm water (most people don’t even need a wetsuit) and clear visibility of 15–30m+. November–December the water cools slightly — a 3mm wetsuit is perfect — and visibility is still good. Year-round you can almost always see dolphins, sea lions, and turtles. Check our seasonal wildlife calendar for a full month-by-month breakdown.
Swimsuit, towel, hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, rashguard, drybag, buff, and a waterproof jacket. From December to April, bring warm layers — mornings on the water can be cold. If you have your own snorkel or freediving gear, you’re welcome to bring it. A reusable water bottle is appreciated. If you’re prone to seasickness, take a Dramamine that morning.
Yes — private charters are available. When you click Book Now you’ll see all available packages including the private charter option. Contact us directly if you’d like a customized experience.
Absolutely — solo travelers are welcome. A minimum of 4 people is required to run the trip, but solo travelers simply join an open group. If you’re booking close to the date, contact us to confirm availability and current group size.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.