Whale Watching Puerto Vallarta

Small-Group Humpback Whale Experience in Banderas Bay

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Your Whale Watching Adventure at a Glance

Private tours and alternative departure times may also be available upon request.

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Ask for a private tour

More Than Whale Watching

Seeing a humpback whale is extraordinary.
Understanding what you’re seeing makes the experience even more memorable.
Vallarta Whales combines wildlife observation with more than 30 years of local knowledge, environmental education, and responsible ecotourism in Banderas Bay

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE

What to Expect on Your Whale Watching Tour

Your adventure begins at Los Peines Pier in Puerto Vallarta, where our crew welcomes you aboard Bruna for approximately four hours exploring Banderas Bay.

Once underway, our naturalist guides begin searching for signs of humpback whales while explaining the incredible migration that brings them to this region each winter.

Every trip is different.

You may encounter whales breaching, tail slapping, traveling through the bay, competing in groups, or mothers swimming alongside their calves. Dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and seabirds may also appear along the way.

When conditions allow, we’ll use our hydrophone to listen beneath the surface and experience the fascinating sounds of the marine world.

There is no scripted show—the whales decide what happens.

That’s what makes every encounter unique.

EXPERIENCE WHALE SEASON

Everything You Need for the Experience

  • Approximately 4-hour boat tour aboard Bruna

  • Authorized whale watching vessel

  • Licensed bilingual naturalist guide

  • Hydrophone to listen to whale and dolphin vocalizations when conditions allow

  • Educational materials

  • Life jackets

  • Purified water and soft drinks

  • Fresh fruit and snacks

  • Turkey ham and cheese panini

  • Mandatory federal port fee

We do not serve alcoholic beverages during our whale watching tours.
To reduce single-use plastic waste, purified water is served aboard and guests are welcome to bring a reusable bottle for refills

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Whale Watching With Respect

Whales are wild animals, and their welfare always comes first.

Our whale watching experiences follow Mexican environmental regulations for responsible observation, including appropriate navigation, viewing distances, and behavior around whales.

Rather than chasing an encounter, our crew observes the animals’ movement and behavior to create the best possible experience while minimizing our impact.

Because the most memorable encounters happen when wildlife is allowed to remain wild.

Prefer a Private Whale Watching Experience?

Enjoy Banderas Bay exclusively with your family or group.
Private whale watching tours offer additional flexibility and a more personalized experience, with departure times that may be adjusted depending on availability.

They’re also an excellent option for families, photographers, private groups, and cruise ship travelers with specific schedules.

ASK ABOUT PRIVATE TOURS
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Ricardo Carretero profile picture
Ricardo Carretero
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Absolutely AWESOME!!! One of the best experiences I have had [and I have travelled extensively ! ;) ]. The whale-watching trip was truly amazing! It is worth pointing out that the tour guide Isabel is an marine biologist and knows her stuff really well. You will be guided/lectured by a professional who loves what she does The tours she offers are phenomenal! Also, nature helped quite a bit: we saw, separately, three mothers with their calves, and the calves were constantly playing and jumping! We saw a total of about a dozen whales (including large males jumping), almost a hundred dolphins (in 7 or 8 pods), sea turtles, various birds, and even flying fish! I had never seen flying fish in person before; they were fascinating. And, since Isabel is a nature lover, she also brings a hydrophone to listen to the singing males (males are the only ones that sing). At some point we stopped above a singing whale and we were able to hear the signing even without the hydrophone... an absolutely unreal experience. If you love nature, the tours offered by Isabel as an absolute must!
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Joseph Roche profile picture
Joseph Roche
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What a great day we just had on this trip! Isabel is so knowledgeable, warm, friendly and attentive to her guests. We had beverages, nice lunch and friendly companions. The day was glorious, we saw 2 sets of mother whales with their offspring and more. We even had a whale come from under our boat and along the side! You could even see its barnacle’s! Highly recommend this 4 hour tour! 5 stars! Thank you Isabel! 🙏🏼❤️
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Ellen Morris profile picture
Ellen Morris
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Best whale watching experience! I learned so much from Isabel about humpback whales and their behavior. We saw it all - whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and birds! Isabel was also incredible kind and welcoming to my toddler (age 2). He loved all of the snacks and sandwiches she brought on board and she had a small life vest just for him.
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Raúl Carrillo profile picture
Raúl Carrillo
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Experiencia increíble! Elegimos Vallartawhales por recomendación de un amigo, ya que son una empresa certificada y respetuosa con la fauna, y que cumple las normas y la legislación. Nos acompañó Isabel, una bióloga excelente, aprendimos muchísimo y vimos muchísimas ballenas, delfines y tortugas, respetando a los animales. Y además, con la simpatía y profesionalidad de Isabel y resto de la tripulación. 100% recomendable, la mejor opción en Vallarta!!! Amazing experience! We chose Vallartawhales as recommended by a friend. They respect animals and also the law, as they have all the permits for this activity. With Isabel, an excellent biologist, we learnt a lot, watched a lot of whales, dolphins & sea turtles, but also with the máximum respect and care to animals. Plus the sympathy and professionalism of the staff. 100% recomendable, the best option in Vallarta!!!
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Dru Wilson-Gregg profile picture
Dru Wilson-Gregg
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I went on a whale watching tour with Vallarta Whale Watching in Dec/24 it was truly amazing! I highly recommend Marasol (oceanographer) and Niko (captain)..very knowledgeable and tons of fun! Thank you for the best experience i will never forget😊
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George Fukushima profile picture
George Fukushima
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Fantastic whale watching trip. We saw 10 humpbacks including a baby, and many dolphins. Iza the guide was so informative and pleasant and Alex the captain was stellar.
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Jessica Dominguez profile picture
Jessica Dominguez
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Excellent experience. Highly recommend!!
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LA GALLEGA A taberna do porto
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Agustín Suárez Pelayo profile picture
Agustín Suárez Pelayo
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Increíble experiencia. La profesionalidad, el servicio es inmejorable. Super recomendable.

Before You Book

Reservations
Advance reservations are required.

The shared tour requires a minimum number of confirmed guests to operate. If the minimum is not reached, our team will contact you with the available options.

Meeting Point
Los Peines Pier, Puerto Vallarta.

Please arrive at 9:00 AM for check-in before the scheduled 9:30 AM departure.

Duration
Approximately 4 hours

Private Tours
Private experiences and alternative departure schedules may be available upon request.

Wildlife
Humpback whales are wild animals and their behavior cannot be controlled or predicted. Every tour and every encounter is different.

What to Bring
Comfortable clothing
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Camera
Reusable water bottle
Sun protection
A light layer for cooler mornings

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Call Us

Office hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm daily (Central Time).

322-135-9260

Or 52-1-322-147-2529

Email Us

Send us an email at any time with your enquiry, or use the form on this page. We aim to respond as soon as possible.

vallartawhales@gmail.com