Biologist-Led Whales and Dolphins
Wildlife Connection runs this four-hour trip with a biologist on board, watching whales and dolphins across Banderas Bay.
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Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching: Tours, Season Dates And Prices
Compare 26 Puerto Vallarta whale watching tours, grouped by shared boats, catamarans and charters.
- $42lowest per-person from-price in the lineup
- 8 Dec to 23 MarOfficial Season · Banderas Bay season set by SEMARNAT for 2025-26; the 2026-27 aviso was not yet published on 19 October 2026
- About 500Humpbacks Per Season · individual whales visiting Banderas Bay each season, per the local NGO ECOBAC
- 60 m / 80 mApproach Distance · minimum distance to a humpback for small boats / larger boats; all boats wait at 240 m
Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta
from $105 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Wildlife Connection
Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching By The Numbers
30 minutes
Time Per Whale · maximum with the same whale or group, and no more than 4 boats around it
Mid-Jan to mid-Mar
Peak Months · calves and the most active behavior per operator guides; January and February per Vallarta Adventures
1,436 m
Bay Depth · deepest point, in the trench off Quimixto and Yelapa
987 km2
Bay Area · about 100 km of coastline between Punta Mita and Cabo Corrientes
1.5 km
Marietas Exclusion Zone · radius around Islas Marietas where whale watching is not allowed, plus a 2 km coastal strip from Punta Mita to the Rio Ameca
Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tours By Boat Type
Shared Boat Whale Tours
Short 3-Hour Whale Encounter
Eco Explorer Vallarta runs this three-hour whale watching trip on Banderas Bay.
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Small-Group Half-Day, Meal Included
Vallarta Natours caps this trip at a small group for three and a half hours on the water, making it one of the higher-rated shared-boat options in the lineup.
Check availabilityPrivate Whale Charters
Private Charter, Lunch Included
Vallarta Natours charters the whole boat for three and a half hours of whale watching on the bay.
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All-Inclusive Private Yacht, 5 Hours
Chica Locca Tours runs this five-hour all-inclusive yacht trip, watching whales from Sayulita across Banderas Bay.
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Private 3-Hour, Pickup Included
Travel Vallarta runs this private three-hour whale watching trip on Banderas Bay.
Check availabilitySailing And Catamaran Whale Cruises
Mega Yacht Sunset, All Inclusive
Chica Locca Tours runs this three-hour sunset yacht trip, all inclusive.
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Mike's 4-Hour Whale Cruise
Mike's Fishing & Tours runs this four-hour cruise out of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, spending the trip on Banderas Bay looking for humpbacks, dolphins, spouts and flukes.
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Catamaran Cruise, Meal Included
A four-hour catamaran whale watching trip on Banderas Bay, run by Puerto Vallarta Net.
Check availabilityWhale And Snorkel Combos
Budget Snorkel Combo, 3.5 Hours
Travel Vallarta pairs whale watching with snorkeling on this three and a half hour trip in Banderas Bay.
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Marietas Snorkel Combo, Meal Included
Sayulita Entourage combines whale watching with snorkeling around Marietas Islands National Park on this five-hour trip.
Check availabilityNarrow The Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching List To Your Trip
A starting shortlist: the three best-reviewed tours from the full list. Answer any question below and it rebuilds around your choices.
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All-Inclusive Cruise, 4 Hours 30 Minutes
4 hours 30 minutes · Free cancellation
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Private Charter, Lunch Included
3 hours 30 minutes · Free cancellation
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Compare Every Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tour Side By Side
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All 26 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biologist-Led Whales and DolphinsWildlife Connection | 4 hours | Marina Vallarta Docks | $105 | ★ 4.9702 reviews | Check availability |
| Short 3-Hour Whale EncounterEco Explorer Vallarta | 3 hours | Marina Vallarta Docks | $99 | ★ 4.9530 reviews | Check availability |
| Mega Yacht Sunset, All InclusiveChica Locca Tours | 3 hours | Paradise Village Marina Nuevo Vallarta | $110 | ★ 4.8517 reviews | Check availability |
| Mike's 4-Hour Whale CruiseMike's Fishing & Tours | 4 hours | Sent after booking | $99 | ★ 4.8413 reviews | Check availability |
| Small-Group Half-Day, Meal IncludedVallarta Natours | 3 hours 30 minutes | Marina Vallarta Docks | $110 | ★ 5.0353 reviews | Check availability |
| All-Inclusive Cruise, 4 Hours 30 MinutesVallarta by Boat | 4 hours 30 minutes | Puerto Mágico Terminal | $78 | ★ 4.2221 reviews | Check availability |
| Small-Group Whale Photo SafariVallarta Adventures | 3 hours | Puerto Mágico Terminal | $79 | ★ 4.7190 reviews | Check availability |
| Ecotours Marine Biologist TripEcotours Vallarta | 3 hours 30 minutes | Marina Vallarta Docks | $120 | ★ 5.0168 reviews | Check availability |
| Los Veranos 3-Hour Trip, Lunch IncludedLos Veranos Canopy Tour | 3 hours | Sent after booking | $99 | ★ 4.9166 reviews | Check availability |
| Private Charter, Lunch IncludedVallarta Natours | 3 hours 30 minutes | Marina Vallarta Docks | $760 | ★ 5.0113 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match that combination. Set the Show or Meal chips back to Any and all 26 tours come back. | |||||
Best Months For Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching
Sea Temperature (C)24.523.923.924.927.428.429.630.330.229.627.725.2
Humpback WhalesPeakPeakLate season, ends 23 MarSeason opens 8 Dec
- Under 24.5 C
- 24.5 to 26 C
- 26 to 29 C
- Over 29 C
- Not named
- This month
January
Typical figures for January
Rain (mm): 37 Rain Days: 2
Sea Temperature (C): 24.5
February
Typical figures for February
Rain (mm): 12 Rain Days: 1
Sea Temperature (C): 23.9
March
Typical figures for March
Rain (mm): 4 Rain Days: 1
Sea Temperature (C): 23.9
April
Typical figures for April
Rain (mm): 4 Rain Days: 1
Sea Temperature (C): 24.9
May
Typical figures for May
Rain (mm): 18 Rain Days: 2
Sea Temperature (C): 27.4
June
Typical figures for June
Rain (mm): 227 Rain Days: 15
Sea Temperature (C): 28.4
July
Typical figures for July
Rain (mm): 362 Rain Days: 20
Sea Temperature (C): 29.6
August
Typical figures for August
Rain (mm): 380 Rain Days: 21
Sea Temperature (C): 30.3
September
Typical figures for September
Rain (mm): 429 Rain Days: 20
Sea Temperature (C): 30.2
October
Typical figures for October
Rain (mm): 125 Rain Days: 9
Sea Temperature (C): 29.6
November
Typical figures for November
Rain (mm): 24 Rain Days: 2
Sea Temperature (C): 27.7
December
Typical figures for December
Rain (mm): 21 Rain Days: 2
Sea Temperature (C): 25.2
Open the month by month table
| Month | Sea Temperature (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Humpback Whales | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 25.2 | 21 | 2 | Season opens 8 Dec | Whale season |
| January | 24.5 | 37 | 2 | Peak | Whale season |
| February | 23.9 | 12 | 1 | Peak | Whale season |
| March | 23.9 | 4 | 1 | Late season, ends 23 Mar | Whale season |
| April | 24.9 | 4 | 1 | None in season | Off season |
| May | 27.4 | 18 | 2 | None in season | Off season |
| June | 28.4 | 227 | 15 | None in season | Wet and hurricane season |
| July | 29.6 | 362 | 20 | None in season | Wet and hurricane season |
| August | 30.3 | 380 | 21 | None in season | Wet and hurricane season |
| September | 30.2 | 429 | 20 | None in season | Wet and hurricane season |
| October | 29.6 | 125 | 9 | None in season | Wet and hurricane season |
| November | 27.7 | 24 | 2 | None in season | Off season |
Shared Boat, Private Charter Or Sailing: Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Compared
| Shared Boat | Private Charter | Sailing Catamaran | Marietas Combo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 to 4.5 hours | about 4 hours | 3 to 5 hours | about 7 hours |
| Price from (USD) | from $62 per person | from $266 per group | from $99 per person | from $42 per person |
| Group size | 8 to 40 guests depending on boat | up to 6 guests | 8 to 14 on small sailboats, larger on tour catamarans | varies by operator |
| Stability and seasickness | Larger boats ride steadier; bay can chop, morning departures are calmer | Small boat, you feel the swell most | Wide hulls steady at rest, sailing adds heel | Longest time on the water, including the open crossing to the Marietas |
| Photo potential | Good from a crowded rail, longer lenses help | Best: you choose the side and the pace | Good, lower deck, quieter engines | Whales plus Marietas scenery, but whale time is shorter |
| Swim with whales | Not allowed (NOM-131 4.19 d) | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed; Marietas swim stop is separate |
Where Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Boats Depart
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Departure Points
- Biologist-Led Whales and Dolphinsfrom $105
- Short 3-Hour Whale Encounterfrom $99
- Marina Vallarta Tour DocksDeparture Points
- Los Muertos PierDeparture Points · 6.6 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Paradise Village Marina Nuevo VallartaDeparture Points · 6.0 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- La Cruz De Huanacaxtle MarinaDeparture Points · 17 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Punta MitaDeparture Points · 32 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Puerto Vallarta Cruise TerminalDeparture Points · 850 m from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Boca De TomatlanDeparture Points · 18 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Sayulita BeachDeparture Points · 31 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Los Peines PierDeparture Points · 290 m from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- BuceriasArea · 14 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- El MaleconArea · 6.0 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Zona Romantica Playa Los MuertosArea · 6.9 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Islas MarietasSight · 36 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Los Arcos De MismaloyaSight · 14 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- YelapaSight · 28 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Cabo CorrientesSight · 54 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
- Puerto Vallarta Airport PVRTransport · 2.4 km from Marina Vallarta Tour Docks in a straight line
What Guests Say About Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching
These guest quotes are copied verbatim from each tour's own booking listing; this site does not collect or edit them, only chooses which to show.
“I went on the 13:00 (over all it takes about 3 hours) and we saw 5 whales and I was super happy.”
“The tour was amazing. Our guide was very responsible and friendly, making the tour very enjoyable by giving us a detailed explanation of the whales and dolphins.”
“Captain and the boat Alcatrez were terrific.”
“Great tour and great value and amazing experience, whale watching, very close and astonishing, snorkelling with good gears and great waters, followed by a stop at a private beach with great food and then back!”
Where To Stay Near The Marinas
Melia Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
Check rates
Playa Los Arcos Hotel Beach Resort & Spa
Zona Romantica, Olas Altas, Puerto Vallarta
Check rates
Hotel Riu Vallarta All Inclusive
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit
Check ratesPuerto Vallarta Whale Watching FAQ
What does a whale tour cost?
Shared boats and snorkel combos in this list run from $42 to $139 per person, sailing and catamaran cruises from $99, and private charters from $266 to $2,088. All figures are starting prices; the live booking page shows the total for your date.
How long do tours last?
Listed trips run three to six hours: standard boat tours sit at three to four, snorkel combos take five, and a biologist-led Sayulita trip stretches to six. Shorter options last three hours, while the longest, the Sayulita departure, runs six hours from $90 per person.
Do any tours include food and drink?
Several do, and the titles say so. The Vallarta Adventures trip with lunch and open bar starts from $89 per person, and two all-inclusive options, the mega yacht sunset cruise and a whale and dolphin cruise, include food and drinks in the fare.
Will we actually see whales?
Humpbacks are the draw, and January and February are the months guides and operators cite as the peak, but sightings are wildlife and never certain. One operator sells its trip as a guaranteed experience; the rest make no promise.
Can children or non-swimmers join?
Yes. You stay aboard the boat the whole time, so swimming is never part of it, and several operators take families with children.
When is whale season in Puerto Vallarta?
SEMARNAT sets the Banderas Bay whale watching window from 8 December 2025 through 23 March 2026, and tour boats operate only inside that period. Operators describe mid-January to mid-March as peak, when mother-and-calf pairs are reported more often near the coast.
Whale Watching Guides And Answers
Guides
Best Month For Whales
Free And Cheap
Hidden Beach Marietas
Humpback Behavior
Marietas Whale Combos
Marina Departures
Photographing Humpbacks
Private Vs Shared
Punta Mita Whale Tours
Sailing Whale Tours
Sayulita Whale Tours
Season Dates
Snorkeling Guide
Tour Lengths
Tours Compared
Weather In Whale Season
Whale Tour Costs
Whale Tour Packing
Whale Watching Rules
Winter In Puerto Vallarta
Answers
- Best Place In Mexico
- Best Time Of Day
- Best Whale Tour
- Boat Ride To Marietas
- Cabo Or Puerto Vallarta
- Kids And Whale Tours
- Safety In Puerto Vallarta
- Sayulita Or Vallarta
- Seasickness On Whale Tours
- Seeing Whales
- Sighting Odds
- Spotting Whales
- Swim To Hidden Beach
- Swim With Whales?
- Whales Of Banderas Bay
- Worst Month To Visit
- Worth It Or Not