4 Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta to Build a Day Around

1.Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 398 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Spend about four hours on a spacious catamaran in Banderas Bay, watching humpback whales, dolphins, and possibly sea turtles. Mike’s Fishing & Tours includes breakfast, lunch, an international open bar, shaded seating, bathrooms, and live commentary. Meet at Puerto Magico in Puerto Vallarta. Port fees are extra.

“The boat's captain and crew were very good at spotting whales. We saw quite a few mother and calf pods. They took good care of us with drinks and the food was pretty good.”

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2.Small-Group Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 334 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Join Vallarta Natours for a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip from Marina Vallarta. A guide such as Thalia or Pilar explains humpback behavior while Captain Angel searches Banderas Bay for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. The boat holds up to 12 people and includes lunch, soft drinks, and a shaded area.

“The tour far exceeded my expectations! Thalia is extremely knowledgeable and you can tell she really loves the wildlife. I highly recommend this tour if you want to do whale watching.”

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3.Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 186 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89Best value

Head out from Puerto Vallarta in a small speedboat during humpback season. A marine mammal expert such as Chai, Enrique, Lilu, or Daniel explains whale behavior while you listen to their calls through hydrophones. Expect about three hours on open water, a light snack, purified water, and no toilet or shade aboard.

“Lovely way to spend the first part of the day. Chai was really informative and entertaining. He explained the length of various times whales dive, and varying behaviours of them to manage the group’s expectations really well. We got some incredible photos and visited at least 3-5 groups of whales, including a very active baby!”

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4.Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join a marine biologist in Puerto Vallarta for a three-and-a-half-hour humpback whale trip from Marina Vallarta. After a short biology talk, you’ll head out in a small group of up to 14 people with guides such as Cynthia, Michael, Francisco, or Maggie. Listen to whale songs through a hydrophone and watch for mothers, calves, dolphins, turtles, breaches, and flukes.

“This tour was absolutely amazing! It starts with an informative presentation about whales, so you learn a lot before heading out on the water. The guide was passionate and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience even more fun. We were lucky enough to see two different groups of whales, each demonstrating different behaviors. We even got to hear some of the male whales singing.”

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