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Baja California Sur · Mexico

La Paz tide times

Tide is currently rising — next high in 4h 19m

0.77 m
Next high · 20:00 GMT-7
Heights relative to MSL · 2026-05-04Coef. 105Solunar 3/5

Tide times at La Paz on Monday, 4 May 2026: first low tide at 03:00, first high tide at 20:00. Sunrise 05:44, sunset 18:51.

Next 24 hours at La Paz

-0.6 m0.2 m0.9 mHeight (MSL)17:0021:0001:0005:0009:0013:004 May5 May☀ Sunrise 05:43☾ Sunset 18:51H 20:00L 04:00nowTime (America/Mazatlan)

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Model-derived from a global ocean grid. Useful indication; expect about ±45 minutes on average vs. a local harmonic gauge, individual stations vary widely. See /methodology for per-region detail. Not for navigation.

Sun, moon and conditions on Mon 04 May

Sunrise
05:44
Sunset
18:51
Moon
Waning gibbous
93% illuminated
Wind
16.3 m/s
239°
Water temp
25.6 °C
Coefficient
105
Spring cycle

Conditions as of 16:00 local time. Refreshes daily.

Highs and lows next 7 days

Today

0.8m20:00
Coef. 100

Tue

-0.4m04:00

Wed

0.7m21:00

Thu

0.6m21:00
-0.3m06:00
Coef. 67

Fri

-0.2m08:00

Sat

0.5m18:00

Sun

0.4m16:00
-0.2m10:00
Coef. 50
All extrema (7 days)
DayTypeTimeHeightCoef.
Mon 04 MayHigh20:000.8m100
Tue 05 MayLow04:00-0.4m
Wed 06 MayHigh21:000.7m
Thu 07 MayLow06:00-0.3m67
High21:000.6m
Fri 08 MayLow08:00-0.2m
Sat 09 MayHigh18:000.5m
Sun 10 MayLow10:00-0.2m50
High16:000.4m

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived. · Not for navigation.

Today's solunar windows

The angler tradition for major/minor fishing windows: major ≈3-hour windows around moon transit and opposition; minor ≈2-hour windows around moonrise and moonset. Times are America/Mazatlan local. Folk tradition, not a scientific forecast.

Major
00:46-03:46
13:12-16:12
Minor
19:59-21:59
06:32-08:32
7-day window outlook
  • Mon
    2 M / 2 m
  • Tue
    2 M / 2 m
  • Wed
    2 M / 2 m
  • Thu
    1 M / 2 m
  • Fri
    2 M / 2 m
  • Sat
    2 M / 2 m
  • Sun
    2 M / 2 m

About tides at La Paz

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, on the Sea of Cortez coast at the tip of the Baja peninsula. The city waterfront (El Malecón) stretches for 5 km along the bay, backed by mangroves and facing the shallow, sheltered bay of La Paz. Tidal pattern is mixed semidiurnal with a mean spring range of about 0.8 to 1.2 metres. La Paz is the dive and marine encounter capital of the Baja peninsula — whale sharks, sea lions, mobula rays, and sea turtles are all accessible on day trips from the city. The whale shark season at La Paz runs October through May, with peak concentrations from November through March when whale sharks aggregate in the shallow, warm bay waters. Unlike many whale shark destinations, La Paz whale sharks are encountered snorkelling in very calm water — the bay is sheltered and the visibility (5 to 10 metres on good days, occasionally more) allows prolonged snorkel encounters. The sharks feed on fish eggs and zooplankton near the surface; snorkellers drift alongside them without diving. This is one of the most accessible whale shark experiences in the world. The sea lion colony at Los Islotes — a rocky islet north of Espíritu Santo island — is a world-class wildlife snorkel experience. The colony has 400+ California sea lions; young sea lions play actively with snorkellers, biting fins, blowing bubbles, and performing loops. The colony is reached by a 45-minute panga ride from La Paz; most operators combine sea lions with whale sharks in a single day trip. Espíritu Santo island, a 2-hour panga ride north of La Paz, is the pinnacle of the Sea of Cortez marine environment within day-trip range. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve island has sea lion colonies, whale sharks, mobula ray schools, hammerhead shark aggregations (at the deep water pinnacles, requiring scuba), and remote sand beaches accessible only by sea. Kayaking Espíritu Santo's coastline (with camping on the island beaches) is a 3 to 5 day trip. The mangrove channels around the La Paz bay provide a productive kayaking environment for bird watching — herons, spoonbills, frigatebirds, and pelicans are resident. The calm water of the inner bay is ideal for beginners. Predictions on this page come from Open-Meteo Marine, a gridded global ocean model. Accuracy is typically within plus or minus 45 minutes on timing and 0.2 to 0.3 metres on height — model-derived, not from a local gauge. For Mexican tide data, consult SEMAR at digmer.semar.gob.mx.

Tide questions about La Paz

When can I swim with whale sharks at La Paz?

La Paz whale shark season runs October through May; peak concentrations are November through March. The whale sharks aggregate in the shallow bay waters to feed on fish eggs and zooplankton. Snorkel encounters (not scuba) are conducted from pangas; the experience is remarkably calm and accessible compared to open-ocean whale shark locations. Multiple licensed operators run half-day trips; book through the La Paz waterfront tour agencies. Touching is prohibited by law.

Is swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes appropriate for non-divers?

Yes — the Los Islotes sea lion encounter is conducted entirely at the surface (snorkelling, no scuba required). The young sea lions are curious and bold; they approach snorkellers closely, tug at fins, and perform playful acrobatics. The site is in open water with slight current; snorkellers need to be comfortable in open water with basic swim skills. The panga stays nearby. Water temperature is 20 to 24°C in peak season; a 3mm wetsuit is comfortable.

What is Espíritu Santo island?

Espíritu Santo is a volcanic island 25 km north of La Paz, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican National Marine Park. The island has 14 uninhabited beaches, sea lion colonies, whale shark aggregation sites, and the offshore pinnacles of El Bajo and La Paz Seamount — famous for aggregations of scalloped hammerhead sharks (best June through October). Day trips from La Paz or multi-day kayak camping on the island are the access options.

What is the tidal range at La Paz?

Mean spring range at La Paz is approximately 0.8 to 1.2 metres. The bay's shallow, sheltered geometry amplifies the tidal exchange; tidal current in the channel between Espíritu Santo island and the peninsula can run 1.5 to 2 knots on spring tides. Kayakers crossing to the island should plan with the tidal current for long crossings. The mangrove channels inside the bay respond visibly to the tide — low water exposes the mangrove roots and mudflat; high water floods to the vegetation edge.

How do I get to La Paz?

La Paz Internacional de Baja California Sur Airport (LAP) has direct flights from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and major Mexican hubs (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey). Ferry from Mazatlán or Topolobampo (mainland Mexico) takes 6 to 10 hours (ferry operators Baja Ferries and TMC). The Trans-Peninsular Highway (Mex-1) connects to Los Cabos International Airport 200 km south (2.5 hours by car), which has many more international flight connections.
Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Not for navigation. Page generated 2026-05-04T22:41:28.203Z. Predictions refresh daily.