Swim with the whale shark in La Paz, Mexico

About

Whale sharks migrate through the waters off La Paz from roughly October through April, and this is one of the few places in the world where you can swim alongside them. The three-hour trip runs out to the feeding grounds in the Sea of Cortez, and when conditions are right, you're in the water with masks and snorkels while 20- to 40-foot sharks filter plankton a few feet away. They're docile, but the size registers differently when you're floating next to one. The tour averages a perfect 5.0 rating across a dozen reviews, which for wildlife outings usually means the guides know how to read conditions and manage expectations. You're not guaranteed a sighting—these are wild animals on their own schedule—but the season timing gives you decent odds. Runs about $157 per person. La Paz is a two-hour drive north of Cabo, so plan accordingly if you're staying down south.