Juvenile whale sharks gather in the shallow, plankton-rich waters of La Paz Bay, on Baja California Sur’s Sea of Cortez coast. A seasonal snorkelling trip offers the opportunity to swim alongside the world’s largest living fish, whose distinctive spots also help researchers recognise individual animals returning to these feeding grounds.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas has announced a partnership with Whale Shark Mexico that gives guests a way to support that research. Beginning this holiday season, the resort’s Adopt a Whale Shark initiative will accept donations from USD 100, with all proceeds going directly to the conservation organisation.
The resort already arranges whale-shark excursions to La Paz. The new addition is the adoption programme, which is open to guests whether or not they take part in a swim.
What adopting a whale shark means
Whale Shark Mexico describes adoption as symbolic sponsorship, a contribution towards its conservation and research work. Through the Four Seasons initiative, guests will receive an official adoption certificate and additional mementos from the resort.
Four Seasons says the donations will help the organisation continue monitoring whale sharks in La Paz Bay, studying their behaviour and investigating threats that could affect the species in the future. The contribution supports work that continues beyond the day of an encounter, including the repeat observations needed to understand how animals use the bay.
Guests can arrange an adoption independently of the excursion. That gives travellers who prefer to remain ashore, or spend their holiday at the resort, the same opportunity to contribute. The concierge is the contact for both the adoption initiative and the seasonal day trip.
La Paz’s winter visitors
Four Seasons gives November to April as the seasonal window for its whale-shark encounters. La Paz lies on the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, across the peninsula from the Pacific coast. The whale sharks visiting its coastal feeding grounds are juveniles; the species as a whole can reach 18 metres in length.
The waters around the Mogote Peninsula provide an important source of food. Northern winter winds bring nutrients and plankton towards the surface through upwelling, supporting the seasonal feeding grounds, as Oceanographic explains in its reporting on La Paz. These animals come to feed, which makes giving them space central to a responsible encounter.
Whale Shark Mexico recorded 950 sightings of 56 whale sharks, each identified individually during the October 2025 to April 2026 season, according to figures published by La Paz’s municipal government. Those records included 20 newly identified juveniles. Multiple sightings of the same animals help researchers understand their presence in the bay over time.
The resort’s existing La Paz excursion pairs a morning swimming alongside whale sharks with an afternoon exploring Baja California Sur’s capital. It gives the day a balance of time on the water and time in the city, rather than making the encounter the only reason to visit.
The research behind the encounter
Whale Shark Mexico says it has conducted research on and worked to protect whale sharks in the Gulf of California since 2001. Its work brings together scientific inquiry, sustainable stewardship and environmental learning, with study sites extending beyond La Paz to Concepción Bay, Mag Bay and the Revillagigedo Archipelago. Across its research programme, its catalogue contains more than 1,135 individually identified animals.
Each whale shark has a distinctive pattern of spots and stripes. Researchers can photograph the area behind the gill slits and above the pectoral fins, then compare those images with existing records. Recognising an animal on successive visits makes it possible to build a record of where and when it has been seen. Satellite tags offer another way to investigate movements.
The Marine Biological Association outlined a tagging expedition with Whale Shark Mexico in May 2026, targeting adult females between 10 and 14 metres long. The planned equipment would track oxygen levels, temperature, depth and body movement alongside conventional satellite tracking. Researchers wanted to investigate how high surface temperatures and low oxygen at depth influence time spent near the surface, where whale sharks are more exposed to ship collisions.
Alberto García, Executive Director of Whale Shark Mexico, explained the partnership’s rationale: “Conservation is not about one person or organization working alone on the front line, but about many stakeholders collaborating and supporting the conservation efforts of others”.
Small groups and space to feed
Whale sharks are globally classified as Endangered. Threats include targeted fishing, accidental capture in fishing gear and vessel strikes. Tourism can also interrupt feeding, while boat propellers can injure the animals, making the organisation and conduct of an excursion important.
La Paz operator La Paz City Map describes snorkelling-only encounters, with permitted boats entering at assigned times and swimmers taking small, guided turns in the water. Its visitor instructions include keeping a distance, avoiding contact with the animals and refraining from flash photography.
A seasonal booking remains dependent on wildlife and conditions: sightings are not guaranteed, and weather can affect operations. Guests should confirm the requirements for their particular excursion with the Four Seasons concierge and follow their guide’s instructions on the day. The adoption remains an option even without a swimming encounter.
An East Cape base for a nature-focused stay
Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas sits on the East Cape, beside the Sea of Cortez and near the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. Costa Palmas places its development near La Ribera, approximately 45 minutes by paved road from Los Cabos International Airport. That airport journey is separate from the day trip to La Paz.
The resort’s swimmable beach and seven pools provide space for quieter days between excursions. Oasis Spa adds a wellness option, while villas and residences with private pools and kitchens offer more privacy and room for families or groups travelling together. A private marina and championship golf course broaden the choices for a longer stay.
Four Seasons also suggests Cabo Pulmo snorkelling, sunset sailing and waterfall hikes in its four-night East Cape itinerary, with the freshwater waterfalls at Sol de Mayo among the inland options. At the beach activity station, complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling equipment and a Hobie Cat make it possible to spend time on the water closer to the resort.
Guests can explore rooms, villas and residences through Four Seasons. For whale-shark adoption details and La Paz excursion arrangements, including date-specific availability and trip pricing, contact the concierge at concierge.loscabos@fourseasons.com.
