El Tecolote Beach, La Paz

Where Balandra is a protected, no-services lagoon, El Tecolote is a proper beach day: a long, gently sloping beach with restaurants such as Palapa Azul serving seafood and cold drinks under palapas. The water is good for swimming, just deeper and choppier than Balandra, especially once the afternoon breeze picks up. Watch for jet skis near the launch areas.

Boats leave from here for Isla Espíritu Santo, and it's the natural backup when Balandra has hit its limit. For the city and whale shark season, see our La Paz guide.