Best of · MEXICO WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Our 15 Best Mexico Whale Watching Trips

30 tours  ·  from $45 a head

Grey whales calve in the Baja lagoons from January, humpbacks gather off Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta at the same time, and blue whales pass La Paz. These 15 cover all three, priced and dated.

Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas - Boarding the double-decker catamaran
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Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas

1.Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,107 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Cruise from the Cabo marina aboard a double-decker catamaran, passing the Arch and sea lion colony before searching for humpback whales along the Sea of Cortez. Guides such as Jacob, Marco, and Jorge explain whale behavior, while a hydrophone lets you hear songs below the boat. Drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup are available.

“What a lovely morning on the water! We saw numerous whales and soaked up some sunshine. The crew was fabulous, the snacks delicious, and the drinks plentiful. Transportation from and to the resort made it all so easy.”

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Whale Watching Cabo-Women crew-Sightings Guaranteed & Free Photos - Why humpback season makes Cabo special
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Whale Watching Cabo-Women crew-Sightings Guaranteed & Free Photos

2.Whale Watching Cabo-Women crew-Sightings Guaranteed & Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,743 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

Join Cabo Nature in Cabo San Lucas for a two-hour whale search led by a women crew of marine biologists. Ride with up to 10 people, listen to whale songs through a hydrophone, stop at El Arco, and receive digital photos. If no whales appear, you can return on a second tour at no extra charge.

“It was amazing. Boat captain was great and guide was knowledgeable! The whale sounds from the underwater microphone were other worldly. We saw several mother whales with their babies. Overall, it was well worth it.”

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SMALL GROUP Whale Watch | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics - Heading into open water for whales
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SMALL GROUP Whale Watch | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics

3.SMALL GROUP Whale Watch | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,106 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Join a maximum-12-person boat in Cabo San Lucas for a 2.5-hour whale watch led by a marine biologist. Look for humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, and more, while passing The Arch, Lovers Beach, and Pelican Rock. Free photos, onboard restrooms, and a second tour if no whales appear add real value.

“Having a biologist, Oscar, lead the tour made it very interesting by sharing all his knowledge of whales. Also the small group made it easy to get pictures of all the whales we saw.”

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Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas - Meeting Cabo’s Arch and sea lion colony first
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Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas

4.Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,005 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Join Cabo Trek for a 2.5-hour whale-watching trip from Cabo San Lucas, limited to 10 to 12 people per boat. A marine biologist such as Andrea, Vanu, Maria, or Vanusa explains humpback behavior while the captain searches the Pacific or Sea of Cortez. You’ll also visit El Arco and the sea lion colony.

“This excursion with Cabo Trek was amazing. Freddy and Andrea were great, and so knowledgeable. We’ve gone whale watching many times in many places, but have never had the experience of hanging out with a mama humpback and her calf for an hour and a half. Swimming alongside us was one thing, but they also swam underneath the boat and stayed there for long periods of time. The water was so clear; we could hang over the edge and see their every move. It was very cool to watch the calf interact with mama beneath the water. We were so lucky to have had this experience; thanks, Cabo Trek!”

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Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos - Boarding the fast zodiac
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Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos

5.Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 693 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $99

You’ll ride a powerful inflatable boat from Cabo San Lucas into the Sea of Cortez or Pacific, searching for humpback whales from December through April. An onboard guide explains whale behavior and uses hydrophones so you can hear their calls. The return route passes the Arch, sea lion colony, and Lover’s Beach. Hotel pickup is available.

“Honestly I can’t support a company that also provides swimming with dolphins in captivity. I would have rather supported a conservation company that takes tours.”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta - Watching mothers, calves, and competing males
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Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta

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

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

Join Wildlife Connection at Opequimar Marina for about four hours on a small covered boat with a cetacean biologist such as Jemma, Gema, or Camilla. Expect a short land briefing, whale and dolphin searches, possible hydrophone listening, and research participation. Humpbacks are seasonal, and the boat returns to the marina.

“Camilla & Jorge were so incredible! They were so kind and ensured we were comfortable and taken care of. We enjoyed the information they shared about the whales. They were very passionate and excited to share their knowledge with us. Jorge was a safe driver and Camilla made us yummy sandwiches. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone! We took our 3 teenagers on it and they loved it. We SAW so many whales, it was so incredible! I can’t say enough good things about them.”

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Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta - What happens on the water in Banderas Bay
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Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

7.Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 509 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $80Best value

Cruise Banderas Bay aboard a comfortable yacht with Chica Locca Tours, searching for humpback whales and dolphins before sunset. Guides such as Isaiah and Luis add lively commentary, while the crew serves drinks, guacamole, blue corn chips, and sometimes ceviche. Expect music, dancing, port security, and a possible delay at departure.

“It was better than expected. The waiting was marginally tense but when we boarded, we found a very comfortable space and welcoming crew. We were immediately asked if we wish any type of beverage as we sat with anticipation. Instructions were explained as well as expectations. This was important since the whale watching season was ending and the chance of seeing whales might be limited. We had many moments where we saw many whales. Food was brought to guests on the ship to avoid mishaps. Food was sufficient to satisfy. If food is your priority you may want to consider a cruise. Kudos to the crew for doing a marvelous…”

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Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta - The wildlife you might see in Puerto Vallarta Bay
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Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta

8.Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta

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

Join Eco Explorer Vallarta for a three-hour whale watch from Marina Vallarta. A bilingual marine mammal guide such as Carlos, Rodrigo, or Eric explains whale behavior while a small boat searches for mothers, calves, breaching whales, dolphins, and turtles. You will use a hydrophone, help with photo identification, and return to the marina.

“Top 5 excursions we've been on. Found lots of whales and was very informative on the whales and marine life”

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Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta - How good are the whale sightings?
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Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

9.Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

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

Sail Banderas Bay from Puerto Magico on a roomy catamaran with live commentary, whale watching, breakfast, lunch, and an international open bar. You may see humpbacks, dolphins, sea turtles, mothers with calves, and breaching whales. The tour welcomes up to 120 people and returns to the same meeting point.

“Could not have had a better time! The crew was great, the drinks were excellent and the whales put on a show for us! Could not recommend higher!”

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ZODIAC Whale Watch Tour | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics - Leaving the marina for El Arco and Lovers Beach
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ZODIAC Whale Watch Tour | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics

10.ZODIAC Whale Watch Tour | Cabo San Lucas | Biologist | FREE Pics

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 365 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Cruise from Cabo’s marina in a small zodiac capped at 10 people, passing El Arco, Lovers Beach, and Pelican Rock before searching for humpback whales. A marine biologist such as Oscar, Josephine, or Victoria explains whale behavior, uses a hydrophone when conditions allow, and takes free photos. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours.

“This was an incredible whale watching experience which included de-tailed information about the whales from a biologist on the zodiac. The tour was respectful of the whales, but we all had great views of the whales. Even though it was considered early in the season we saw plenty of whales. We highly recommend this company for its professionalism. We will use them again when we return to Cabo. For cruise passengers this is at least a 20-25 min walk from the port to the tour office. Allow enough time to tender from the ship and walk to the office when booking a tour time.”

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Small-Group Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - Guides who explain what you are seeing
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Small-Group Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

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

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

From Marina Vallarta, you’ll spend about three and a half hours on Banderas Bay with a group of no more than 12. Guides such as Thalia and Pilar explain whale behavior, help spot mothers, calves, and breaching males, and may use an underwater microphone so you can hear whale songs. Lunch, soft drinks, shade, and a return to the marina are included.

“Magical experience, a must do. Thalia and her team are amazing. They know where the whales are and maintain safe distances with concern to the whales safety. The group is small which is ideal, the boat is the perfect size. When too many other boats approached we left to find other whales. An absolutely fabulous day. Highly recommend.”

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Los Cabos Whale Watching (Transportation and Pictures Included) - El Arco and the sea lion colony
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Los Cabos Whale Watching (Transportation and Pictures Included)

12.Los Cabos Whale Watching (Transportation and Pictures Included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 290 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Set out from Cabo San Lucas Marina with a small group, stopping at El Arco and its sea lions before searching the Gulf of California for humpback whales. Guides such as Leonardo, Lorenzo, Pablo, and Alejandro explain whale behavior and local wildlife. Hotel pickup, snacks, water, and tour photos are included.

“The transportation is terrible. They couldn’t even pick us up at our hotel because they weren’t allowed to get through, and we had to take a taxi to get there, and my wife who can’t walk far I had to walk about 400 yards to get to the fear.”

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Whale Watching Group Tour in San Jose del Cabo - The hydrophone changes the experience
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Whale Watching Group Tour in San Jose del Cabo

13.Whale Watching Group Tour in San Jose del Cabo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 243 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Join Salty Cabo for a roughly two-hour whale-watching trip from San Jose del Cabo, limited to 10 people. Guides such as Paola, Sofia, Luisa, and Kate explain whale behavior, migration, and conservation while you watch humpbacks and gray whales. The tour includes snacks, water, photos, and hydrophone listening, but not transportation.

“Great excursion if you want to see whales. Very knowledgeable tour guide and lots of active whales the whole trip. Lots of fun!”

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Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Lunch Cruise - The welcome drink and El Arco photo stop
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Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Lunch Cruise

14.Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Board Sunrider Tours at Cabo Marina for a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise with a welcome drink, El Arco photo stop, whale sightings, fresh Mexican buffet, open bar, music, and dancing. The larger boat offers two decks, shade, seating, and clean restrooms. Captain Pepe and server Cesar have earned special praise, though wheelchair access should be confirmed carefully before booking.

“We decided to go whale watching as part of our baby moon in Cabo. After studying many companies reviews we decided to select this experience and it did not disappointed. Not only was the staff, food, service, and overall experience great, they made sure that we did not head back to land before seeing numerous whales surface. Would recommend this tour for anyone and would definitely consider it again if we return to Cabo.”

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Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas: Sightseeing Cruise and Shopping - A glass-bottom boat changes the whale-watching feel
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Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas: Sightseeing Cruise and Shopping

15.Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas: Sightseeing Cruise and Shopping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $115

Join Esperanza’s Tours for a four-hour Cabo outing with hotel pickup, a glass-bottom boat ride past El Arco, and up to two hours watching gray and humpback whales in the Sea of Cortez. Mele may guide your outing, followed by tequila tasting and about 30 minutes of shopping. Beach time depends on weather.

“Absolutely the best trip. Saw so many whales and the staff was out of this world. Highly recommend this if you are in Cabo”

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