Best of · PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING TOURS

15 Unmissable Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tours

32 tours  ·  from $45 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 puerto vallarta whale watching tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.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

4.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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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

5.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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Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive - An open bar on a moving boat
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Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

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

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

Cruise Puerto Vallarta’s bay in search of humpback whales and dolphins with bilingual guides, a marine biologist, breakfast, lunch, an open bar, and a hydrophone. The four-and-a-half-hour experience includes boat transport and wildlife watching, but actual time on the water can be shorter because of check-in and boarding delays. A dock tax is extra.

“Great crew! Attentive and friendly Saw lots of dolphins and humpbacks!!! Will do this tour every time here”

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Whale Watching Experience - The first minutes offshore
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Whale Watching Experience

7.Whale Watching Experience

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

From Puerto Vallarta’s Maritime Terminal, you’ll ride a fast open boat into Banderas Bay during humpback season. Guides such as Chai, Enrique, Lilu, and Andrea explain whale behavior while hydrophones let you hear underwater calls. Expect about three hours on the water, a light snack, purified water, and no toilet or shade aboard.

“This was so much fun! The whales did not disappoint. Lila and Captain were they best! This experience is the best. Take the little boat.”

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Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist - Marina Vallarta to the open water
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Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist

8.Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist

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

Meet at Ecotours Vallarta in Marina Vallarta for a short whale biology presentation, then board a small boat with a marine biologist and captain. You may hear humpbacks through a hydrophone and see mothers, calves, dolphins, sea turtles, and breaching whales. Guides such as Cynthia, Michael, Francisco, and Raphael have led recent trips.

“Small group led by very knowledgeable and personable guide and excellent boat captain, Michael and Raphael. We saw over 2 dozen whales including mothers and calves thanks to their guidance. Also lots of dolphins.”

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Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta - A fast boat with more action than sightseeing
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Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta

9.Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about three hours on a high-speed boat searching for humpback whales in Puerto Vallarta’s bay. Guides such as Benji explain whale behavior while the captain works to find mothers, calves, pods, and dolphins. Lunch, snacks, and water are included. Cruise passengers can check in at Puerto Mágico.

“Well organized. Great crew. Fast speed boat ride was fun even of itself. The guide and the captain were very knowledgeable and entertaining.”

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Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - Finding humpbacks without chasing them
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Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

10.Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta

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

Spend about 3.5 hours on a private boat in Banderas Bay with a guide such as Victor, Carlos, or Talia. Search for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life while learning how to watch responsibly. Lunch, soft drinks, and a boat bathroom are included. Departures run December through March.

“We had a great time with Talia on a private whale watch excursion. We actually got to see them doing amazing things just like the picture at the top of the ad! We loved the small boat as there were only 5 of us. Talia has a masters in Marine Bio so it was very informative throughout. They also catered to dietary needs of two of us for the lunch. Would highly recommend.”

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Puerto Vallarta: Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise - Starting at either Chica Locca pier
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Puerto Vallarta: Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

11.Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

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

Cruise Bahía de Banderas for three hours with Chica Locca Tours, watching humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and the sunset from a roomy mega yacht. Guides such as Isai explain the marine life, while Captain Nick helps find the whales. Drinks, guacamole, chips, snacks, music, and city-light views are included.

“We saw several whales and the crew was more than attentive. Everyone was very friendly and informative. I highly recommend this excursion.”

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Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling - What the three-hour plan really means
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Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

12.3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

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

Spend about three hours on a small boat in Banderas Bay watching for humpback whales and dolphins, then visit a coastal swimming or snorkeling spot. English and Spanish guides provide life jackets, but recent departures have varied widely in length and snorkeling access, so bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, camera, and extra pesos.

“No pudimos ver ballenas , sabemos que no es culpa del guía , en eso no se puede saber. Sin embargo como compensación nos llevaron a otras playas , pero fue demasiado el tiempo de estar, el tour era para 4 h y se convirtió en 6 o 7 h, esto afectó nuestros demás planes.”

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Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta - Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and the bonus sightings
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Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

13.Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend three hours crossing Banderas Bay with a private crew from Eco Explorer Vallarta. Guides such as Carlos, Emilio, and Hector help you search for whales, dolphins, turtles, and manta rays, while a hydrophone lets you hear marine life below the boat. The tour leaves Marina Vallarta at 11:30 am and carries up to six people.

“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 - Mothers, Calves, Breaches, and Dolphins
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Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

14.Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

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

Join Vallarta Adventures at 8:00 am for a three-hour catamaran trip across Banderas Bay during humpback season. A Marine Mammal Expert helps you spot whales, mothers with calves, and perhaps dolphins. Sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks, restrooms, and an open bar are included. The boat returns to the maritime terminal.

“We throughly enjoyed this excursion. We not only got to see several whales but also as a bonus, we saw dolphins as well. The crew was fantastic. They were not only friendly and informative, but kept us entertained as well with a dance skit they performed as we were heading back. The tour lasted about 3 hrs. It was a little cold as we were headed out on the water, so make sure you wear a light jacket. There was an open bar on board, and we were served sandwiches and various fruit while on board. For those who have concerns about bathroom facilities, there is a bathroom on the…”

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Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure - Los Arcos, where rock and water take over
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Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

15.Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend four to five hours on the water with Mismaloya Xtreme, watching for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and rays in Banderas Bay before snorkeling near Los Arcos. The tour includes a maximum of 15 people, bottled water, soda, beer, snacks, and snorkeling gear. English service and mobile tickets make booking simple.

“We saw whales and dolphins. The dolphins were jumping out of the water and a whale breached right in front of us.”

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New in Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tours

★ 5.0Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto VallartaFrom $997 reviews
★ 4.0Whale watching6 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching Experience – 4 Hours in Puerto VallartaFrom $1499 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching Experience in Puerto VallartaFrom $1488 reviews
★ 4.0Whale Watching The Best Of Puerto VallartaFrom $995 reviews
★ 3.0Private whale watching in Puerto Vallarta for 3 Hours2 reviews
★ 5.0Humpback Whale Watching • Private Tour • Punta Mita6 reviews
★ 5.0Whale watching with Snorkeling and beach ColomitosFrom $572 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour 3 Hours of Whale Watching6 reviews
★ 3.3Whale Watching Photo SafariFrom $893 reviews
★ 5.0Whale watching2 reviews

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