Best Whale Watching Tours in Puerto Vallarta

Whale watching in Puerto Vallarta should be on everyone’s bucket list. Every winter, the Bay of Banderas fills with pods of humpback whales, and you can see this magnificent show of nature right from the beautiful beaches of PV.

Watching these magnificent giants up close is one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, especially if you visit during the migrating season.

If you’re looking for the best whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta, this post has you covered.

Whale watching season in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate from the arctic to swim more than 5,000 km to reproduce and nurture their young in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The sheltered waters in the Bahia de Banderas, where Puerto Vallarta is located, offer the perfect conditions for the whales and for you to see them thrive in their natural habitat.

Usually, the Puerto Vallarta whale watching season begins in December and ends in late March. However, sometimes whales can be seen as early as November. Sometimes, the whales don’t leave the sheltered bay until April!

Generally speaking, the best time to see the whales in Puerto Vallarta is from December until March, which coincides with the high season in Puerto Vallarta – one of the best times to visit.

What kind of whales are in Puerto Vallarta?

In Puerto Vallarta, you can see one of the world’s most stunning mammals: the humpback whale. Each year, around 18,000 whales travel to Banderas Bay, where they stay for several months.

They are the most common whale species in Puerto Vallarta and can be seen yearly, but humpback whales are not the only marine life you can see here!

In winter, you can sometimes see majestic orcas, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot brides’ whales and minke whales. However, they are far less common than humpbacks and orcas.

The whales are essential members of the North Eastern Pacific Ocean ecosystem. Even if commercial whaling is banned, they are vulnerable to extinction and constantly endangered by ocean debris, pollution, and entanglement. Therefore, the whales in Puerto Vallarta are protected by law.

What other marine animals can you see in Puerto Vallarta?

The Bay of Banderas is home to more than 600 species of fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and an abundance of marine birds, including brown pelicans, cormorants, frigates, or blue and brown-footed boobies.

If you’re interested in seeing birds on your trip to Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to take a day trip to Isla Marietas, where you can often see whales and dolphins on the boat ride out.

Several different species of dolphins live in the bay and are often seen while whale-watching in Puerto Vallarta.

Species of dolphins you can see here include bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, and rough-toothed dolphins.

It’s also possible to see giant mantas and marine turtles, including small ridleys and massive Leatherback turtles.

Where to see whales in Puerto Vallarta

Where can you spot the whales in Puerto Vallarta? Is it necessary to book a guided tour on a boat, or can you see them from the shore?

Of course, the chances of seeing a humpback whale are best when you take a whale-watching tour.

By joining a whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll get a closer look at the whales than you would from shore! Plus, the tour guides will provide interesting information on whale behavior.

When on the boat, it’s pretty easy to spot the whales. Just watch out for the apparent hump on their backs and the long dorsal fins. Often, you can see their fluked tail on the water.

If you’re lucky, you will even have the chance to watch the whales breach as they leap from the water and flop back to the surface. The crash will send water in all directions, so ensure you don’t get your camera wet when taking pictures!

Since the whales are legally protected in Puerto Vallarta, there are strict rules about how close boats can get to them.

Small boats with a length of up to ten meters can come no closer than 60 meters. Larger boats that exceed 10 meters are not allowed to come closer than 80 meters.

That said, it’s also possible to see the whales from the shores of Puerto Vallarta for free. But since humpback whales prefer to stay away from the immediate shore, you need to scan the distance to find them.

Still, there are chances you will see them breaching. Head to one of the city’s many beautiful beaches or restaurant rooftops and keep your eyes peeled!

Can you swim with the whales in Puerto Vallarta?

Since the whales are protected by law, it is not possible to swim with them. Any interaction that might interrupt them is prohibited. This includes diving, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and feeding.

Whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta

The best chance to see the giant humpback whales up close is on a guided Puerto Vallarta tours. You’ll get the opportunity to see whales up close and gain valuable insights into whale behavior. Here are the best whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta:

This responsible whale-watching tour in Puerto Vallarta takes 3.5 hours and shows you humpback whales and other marine life with a marine biologist.

You’ll meet your marine biologist guide at the pier in Puerto Vallarta, who will give you important safety information and an introduction to what to expect during the whale-watching trip.

From there, you’ll set out on the bay to begin your search for the whales while the guide provides you with information about these fascinating animals. Once the whales are spotted, you’ll get as close as possible while remaining respectful of the whales and their environment.

Around noon, enjoy a complimentary lunch and get the opportunity to listen to a whale singing with specialized equipment before making your way back to Puerto Vallarta!

If you’re looking for more of a party, check out this exclusive whale watching cruise. After getting picked up from your hotel, you’ll head out to the boat, where you’ll enjoy a delicious Mexican breakfast before heading out to the Bay of Banderas.

Spend some time admiring the whales playing in the water while enjoying onboard entertainment and an informative commentary from your local guide.

A buffet lunch is included, along with your choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink from the unlimited onboard bar, which stocks everything from vodka and rum to cocktails and fruit juice. This could be a fun tour if you’re a group of friends! Private whale watching tours are also available if you want to have a boat to yourself.

BOOK A PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING TOUR HERE

Other places to go whale watching in Mexico

While Puerto Vallarta is undoubtedly one of the top places in Mexico to go whale watching, it’s not the only place in the country! Here are some other unique destinations in Mexico where you can see various species of whales.

• Puerto Escondido, in the state of Oaxaca, is an excellent place to see whales in the sea of Cortez from mid-December to March. I visited in June past the season, but we still saw orcas while dolphin-watching, which was an incredible wildlife experience.
• Mazatlan, a popular beach town further up north, is another excellent place to see humpback whales and ten other species in The Mazatlan-Teacapan zone.
• Cabo San Lucas, in Baja, California, is a great place to see grey whales from January to April.
• Loreto Bay, in Baja, California, is one of the best places to see the blue whale, the biggest mammal on earth!

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Have you seen whales in Puerto Vallarta before? Let us know how your experience was in the comments below!

Planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta? Check out these guides!

• Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta
• Best water activities in Puerto Vallarta
• 12 stunning Puerto Vallarta hotels on the beach