Category Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tours

Puerto Vallarta · PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta: The Top 15 Tours

16 tours

Humpbacks calve in Banderas Bay from December to late March and the boats book out through February. Here are the 15 best whale trips: boat size, whether a marine biologist is aboard, hydrophone use, sighting policies, and which double as a sunset cruise on the way home.

Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta

Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta - Meeting at Opequimar Centro Marino, then a short science warm-up

1.Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 666 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $105Our pick

Biologist-led whale and dolphin watching in Puerto Vallarta, with humpbacks, dolphin species, hydrophone whale songs, and citizen science.

“It was a fantastic excursion. Gemma was a great guide. Very informed friendly and committed to us having a great experience. We had an incredible afternoon”

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Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta - Stop-by-stop: how the two phases feel on the water

Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta

Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta - Getting on the water fast: the small, shaded boat vibe

3.Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 469 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spot whales in Puerto Vallarta on a small shaded boat with a marine expert guide, hydrophone sounds, and snacks. $99 for about 3 hours.

“Rodrigo was an excellent presenter. Eric the perfect captain. They teamed up to ensure our outing exceeded expectations, maximizing opportunities for our group to view whales. They succeeded. It was a great day of whale watching! Thank you Rodrigo and Eric. 👍👍”

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Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta - Inside the catamaran: shade, space, and clean basics

4.Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

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

Puerto Vallarta whale watching on a catamaran with breakfast, buffet lunch, and open bar, plus Banderas Bay close sightings.

“Our boat was slightly delayed clearing the gangway (25 minutes). We contacted Mikes Fishing and told them, they said when you get off head right to the pier, which we did and they were GONE. they are denying us a refund because it wasn’t their fault. (Wasn’t my fault either). Wouldn’t use Viator or Mike’s fishing ever again. Save $20, but lost $200. Total ripoff. I can understand I didn’t make the boat, but to not offer my money back or a future credit makes the nickels worth of savings not worth it. Lesson learned.”

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

Small-Group Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - Humpback Whale Spotting: The Behaviors You Learn to Look For

Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive - How the humpback and dolphin search really plays out

6.Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 212 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $78

Puerto Vallarta whale and dolphin cruise with open bar, breakfast, lunch, hydrophone, and a marine biologist. Around 4.5 hours.

“Initially it was good. Followed a mother and baby whale. Saw a couple of whales jump out of water. Went further north into the ocean just to turn around and come back. Few of us saw a whale, but tour bout didn’t slow down. Seat where not secured or safe. When hitting higher waves, people fell out of the charges and almost face planted on deck.”

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Whale Watching Experience

Whale Watching Experience - Marine mammal experts and the hydrophone magic

7.Whale Watching Experience

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

Speedboat humpback whale watching in Puerto Vallarta with hydrophones, an expert guide, and a light snack for $89 per person.

“Bring a fleece or lightweight jacket, saw humpbacked whales in numerous locations, as well as breaching! Was all we hoped for!”

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Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist

Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist - The 8:30 am setup at Ecotours Vallarta, and why that pre-brief matters

8.Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist

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

Marine biologist led whale watch in Puerto Vallarta, with hydrophone whale songs, small groups, and humpback sightings in 3.5 hours.

“Cynthia was amazing, so knowledgeable and super kind. We were pretty lucky to see a good amount of whales and a few got pretty close. We saw 17 whales and 3 sea turtles. There was even a baby with two other whales who got really close to the boat which is apparently pretty rare.”

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Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta

Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta - From Los Veranos Canopy Tour to the water: meeting point and cruise pickup

Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - Close Sightings: How Spots Are Chosen and How Long You Stay

10.Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $760

Private Puerto Vallarta whale watch for up to 8, with close humpback sightings, onboard lunch, and marine-biology style education.

“All of it. Whales breaching. The boat driver and guide were the best. We saw several pods and a solo whale and some couples. Very educational. The boat ride was fun too. And the food was yummy”

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Puerto Vallarta: Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

Puerto Vallarta: Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise - Cruising the Bay of Banderas, Drinks First, Whales Later

11.Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 94 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Puerto Vallarta sunset and whales on a mega yacht: Bay of Banderas whale spotting, premium open bar, guacamole snacks, night lights return.

“Perfect combination of a sunset cruise and viewing whales! We saw several, learned a lot from the crew and there were cocktails and guacamole too-really fun! The boat is large and nice bathrooms, I would highly recommend this tour!”

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Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling - Getting started at the marina: meeting point and first impressions

12.3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 62 reviews · 3 hours · from $45Best value

A 3 hour humpback whale and dolphin watch from Puerto Vallarta, with optional snorkeling and a beach stop that can run long.

“La actividad dejó mucho que desear. Sí logramos ver ballenas, pero fue exactamente igual que con todos los demás barcos; no hicieron ningún esfuerzo extra ni ofrecieron algo especial para mejorar la experiencia. En cuanto al snorkel, fue muy decepcionante: aunque pagamos por la actividad, no nos permitieron bajar al agua. Solo nos dejaron observar desde la lancha cómo otros grupos de otros barcos sí snorkelaban, lo cual resulta muy frustrante. Además, nos llevaron a una playa poco atractiva y la lancha iba demasiado llena de personas, lo que hizo el paseo incómodo. En general, no siento que la experiencia haya valido lo que se pagó ni que cumplieran con…”

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Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta - Private tour for up to 6: why that group size is a big deal

13.Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $650

Private 3-hour whale watching in Puerto Vallarta for up to 6. Hydrophone, expert guides, and a full Bay ride for marine life.

“Carlos was so great at explaining the whales and finding them for us, and hector was a perfect captain! For being the end of whale season, we had plenty of wildlife to see (we are guessing about 20 whales and tons of dolphins). This tour definitely did not disappoint and I would recommend it for anyone wanting to see these magnificent animals!”

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Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta - What the 3-Hour Catamaran Ride Feels Like on Banderas Bay

14.Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

3-hour humpback whale watching in Puerto Vallarta on a catamaran with open bar, snacks, and expert-led spotting from Banderas Bay.

“Great friendly staff and food and drinks were in abundance! We were fortunate to see SO many whales! Boat felt solid and safe and was happy to have restrooms on board.”

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Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure - Whale watching in the Bay of Banderas: what you’re actually looking for