In celebration of International Whale Shark Day, Baja California’s Secretariat of Tourism is reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting the species while encouraging responsible tourism practices during the species’ annual viewing season.
Tourism Secretary Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño emphasized that safeguarding the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) demands coordinated action among government authorities, local communities, and visitors alike.
The commemoration serves as a way to raise public awareness about the species’ conservation, its habitat, and its migratory significance both in Mexico and across the globe.
“We Baja Californians sometimes overlook or simply don’t know about the extraordinary experiences our own land provides,” Badiola Montaño said. “Whale shark watching reveals the grandeur of our natural environments and stands as a clear example of our responsibility to practice sustainable tourism.”
Found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, the whale shark, the biggest fish in the world, migrates to areas rich in plankton, which are essential for its feeding and survival. Among these key feeding grounds is Bahía de los Ángeles in Baja California, a region that also attracts visitors from countries such as Australia, Honduras, New Zealand, Belize, the Philippines, and Tanzania.
The Secretariat of Tourism is working alongside the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA), the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), and the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) to promote tourism protocols that prioritize environmental preservation.
Badiola Montaño extended the call to tourists as well, urging them to take care of the environment and recognize the importance of the whale sharks’ seasonal passage, while also exploring other natural attractions the state has to offer.
“When we talk about Shared Well-being, we must include every species that calls Baja California home whether permanently or temporarily,” he added. “This land belongs not only to us, but to the flora and fauna that inhabit it. Protecting them means protecting the future of our state.”
Whale Viewing Season in Baja California
The current authorized period for non-extractive whale shark encounters runs from June 1 through December 15 within the Bahía de los Ángeles, Canales Ballenas and Salsipuedes Marine Biosphere Reserve. During this time, visitors may observe or swim alongside specimens ranging from 2.5 to 8 meters in length.
Authorities stress that all tours must be conducted exclusively through certified service providers accredited by the General Directorate of Wildlife (DGVS). In addition, swimming is permitted only when at least five sharks are gathered in a single aggregation.
Strict operational guidelines are in place to protect the animals: no more than four swimmers may enter the water per shark, each accompanied by a licensed guide. Participants must keep a minimum distance of two meters from the animal’s head and sides, and three meters from its tail.
Kayaks and other paddle craft are prohibited, as are any actions that involve touching, riding, or interfering with the sharks’ natural movement. The use of underwater flashlights, selfie sticks, and non-biodegradable sunscreens is also strictly forbidden.
Listed as a threatened species under Mexico’s NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 regulation, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) may only be subject to non-extractive activities such as regulated observation and swimming.
