Whale Watching · PUERTO VALLARTA

The 15 Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Tours That Earn Their Price

32 tours  ·  from $45 a head

The 15 best Puerto Vallarta whale watching tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it stays out and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.

Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta - Finding the humpback whales
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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 biologists such as Jemma or Camilla aboard a small covered boat from Marina Vallarta. Watch humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and giant mantas, hear whale songs through a hydrophone, and take part in cetacean research during a roughly four-hour winter outing.

“We went all the way to the Marietas Islands and saw five male whales and one female — truly magical. Jema was warm, knowledgeable, and clearly loves what she does. Captain Jorge was excellent, getting us right to the action with a smooth ride. Whales everywhere, great crew, and yes… surprisingly good sandwiches. Book it. You won’t regret it. 🐋✨”

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Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta - Food and the all-inclusive bar
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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 guides such as Luis and Isaiah, watching for humpback whales and dolphins as the sun drops behind Puerto Vallarta. You get an open bar, guacamole, chips, music, and views from the water. Bring a sweater and expect possible check-in delays.

“Let me say this was a great experience. Although in the beginning there was a delay of 30 minutes, so expect the boat to be late but once it’s there, you have an amazing time. The drinks, snacks, service, & views were excellent. The sunset was stunning & the servers bring everything to you. We did not see any whales, but we went in April not during whale season. I recommend this experience.”

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Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta - The three-hour search for humpbacks
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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 search from Marina Vallarta. Guides such as Carlos, Rodrigo, and Eric use a hydrophone to let you hear whale songs while you watch humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and calves from a small boat limited to 10 people.

“Excellent experience with Carlo and Emilio. We saw several whales and you can tell Carlo cares about the whales’ wellbeing and didn’t want to do anything to cause them distress.”

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Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta - What the four-hour schedule feels like
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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

Cruise Banderas Bay on a spacious catamaran in search of humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. A continental breakfast, light Mexican lunch, international open bar, shaded seating, bathrooms, and live commentary are included. The four-hour trip starts and ends at Puerto Mágico.

“Great crew Lots of Whales and real close. Just checking out the boat and humans. 1 breach close buy. spout sprayed everyone, WOW”

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Small-Group Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - A comfortable boat with room to see
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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

Cruise Banderas Bay from Marina Vallarta in a boat limited to 12 people. Guides such as Thalia and Pilar explain humpback behavior, help spot whales, and may use an underwater microphone so you can hear their songs. Lunch, soft drinks, and a return to the marina are included.

“This was the highlight of our trip! Thalia is an amazingly knowledgable guide. Angel is a great boat captain. Within 9 minutes of leaving the marina, we were watching whales in the bay! Thalia has a masters degree in marine biology and is great at spotting the whales and explaining their behavior. We learned so much about the beautiful animals. Thalia and Angel are also very responsible and respectful of the whales. If there were a lot of boats around a pod of whales, we would move on to find another pod, so the whales would not be distressed by all the boats. We saw two different calves, one as…”

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Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive - Breakfast First, Then the Open Bar
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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, hydrophone, breakfast, lunch, and a national open bar. Allow extra time for check-in and the MX$32 dock tax, and confirm the vessel size before booking.

“This tour is great but maybe a bit much for kids. It is loooong. However, the captain did not give up until we got the best whale show!! The lunch is late into the tour and chips and fruit were not provided as described. Purchase snacks at the port before boarding!”

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Whale Watching Experience - The first minutes on the raft
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Whale Watching Experience

7.Whale Watching Experience

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

Head out from Puerto Vallarta’s Maritime Terminal on a small speedboat for about three hours of humpback watching in Banderas Bay. Guides such as Chai, Enrique, Lilu, and Daniel explain whale behavior, while a hydrophone lets you hear calls underwater. Bring warm layers, sunscreen, and cash for port and conservation fees.

“Great experience. Our host , I believe her name was Lilu, did an excellent job educating us on all things whale and dolphin. We saw dozens of whales and hundreds of dolphins! Our boat captain was great too! It’s a speed boat type setup, but was surprisingly a smooth ride. Use the bathroom before the tour starts given there’s no bathroom aboard. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you’re not a fan of loud speakers and such and a smaller group”

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Whale Watching Adventure – Led by a Marine Biologist - The 20-minute whale lesson before the boat
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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.)

Join a marine biologist in Puerto Vallarta for a 3.5-hour small-group whale watch. Start with a short humpback lecture, then cruise Banderas Bay with a hydrophone, canopy-covered boat, snacks, and guides such as Cynthia, Michael, or Francisco.

“Our whale-watching adventure was absolutely epic! We were lucky enough to witness humpbacks during mating season, and wow, did they put on a show! The males, clearly focused on impressing the female rather than us, dazzled us with playful and dramatic behaviors that were mesmerizing to watch. Adding to the experience was the incredible biologist on board, who filled the trip with fascinating whale facts and answered all our questions. This wasn’t just a tour—it was an unforgettable marine spectacle! If you’re considering it, don’t hesitate—I HIGHLY recommend this tour!”

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Whale Watching Guaranteed Experience in Puerto Vallarta - The fast-boat search across Banderas Bay
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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

Join Los Veranos Canopy Tour for a three-hour whale-watching trip from Puerto Vallarta. Guides such as Benji share clear, lively explanations as the captain searches for humpbacks, dolphins, mothers, and calves. The fast boat keeps the outing active, with lunch, snacks, and water included.

“Guides were very informative. Saw whales as promised! Lunch and snacks and water were provided too..”

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Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta - Meeting at Marina Vallarta at 8:45
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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.)

Join Vallarta Natours for a private 3.5-hour whale watch in Banderas Bay. Guides such as Victor, Thalia, Carlos, or Talia explain humpbacks, play underwater whale calls, and look for dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Lunch, soft drinks, and a boat with a bathroom are included.

“We traveled with 6 adults and 4 kids from ages 4-11. They all loved it! Some good information at the beginning, answered any and all questions throughout and the provided sandwiches and snacks were great even for the adults! The kids liked the cookies the best of course! Boat had a bathroom, clean, and felt safe entire time. Would highly recommend!”

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

11.Puerto Vallarta: Mega Yacht Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

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

Join Chica Locca Tours for a three-hour evening yacht cruise in Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas. From November through April, guides including Isai and Captain Nick look for humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles. Enjoy guacamole, chips, snacks, a premium open bar, sunset views, music, and city lights on the return.

“I highly recommend doing this one! The crew was a lot of fun and very attentive with making sure we had drinks, snacks and enjoying ourselves. There were plenty of whales to see & the weather was perfect to catch the sunset before heading back. I plan on doing this one again for sure!”

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Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling - What the three-hour schedule is meant to include
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Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

12.Puerto Vallarta: 3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

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

Spend about three hours on a marina boat searching Puerto Vallarta Bay for humpback whales and dolphins, then visit a beach or snorkeling site when conditions allow. English and Spanish guides lead the trip, but recent outings have varied in length and snorkeling access.

“We did get to see whales and our guide followed them for a little bit which we loved. There was no snorkeling whatsoever, not even gear for it. We went to a secluded beach which was nice but not listed so we were confused. The activity lasted 4.5 hours instead of 3 and our guide didn’t know it was supposed to be 3 hours”

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Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta - The guides and the quality of the wildlife search
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Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

13.Private Whale watching Puerto Vallarta

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

Cruise Banderas Bay privately with Eco Explorer Vallarta guides, watching humpback whales and other marine life from a small boat. Carlos, Emilio, and Hector have helped guests spot whales, dolphins, and turtles. The three-hour trip includes a hydrophone, snacks, drinks, safety gear, and conservation support.

“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 - Boarding at 8:00 am in Puerto Vallarta
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Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

14.Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

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

Set out from Puerto Vallarta at 8:00 am aboard a catamaran with a marine mammal expert. Cruise Banderas Bay in search of winter humpbacks, with snacks, sandwiches, fruit, and an open bar included. The boat has restrooms, but there is no hotel pickup, and drones are prohibited.

“Wonderful tour. Wasn’t aware they served lunch and drinks so ate first. But good lunch and trip well worth it.”

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Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure - Starting beside the sand at Playa Mismaloya
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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

Cruise from Playa Mismaloya into Banderas Bay for humpback whale and dolphin sightings, then explore Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary. Your English-speaking guide provides safety instruction, wildlife background, bottled water, soda, beer, snacks, and snorkeling gear for a group of up to 15.

“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
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★ 5.0Whale Watching Experience – 4 Hours in Puerto VallartaFrom $1499 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
★ 4.5Private Tour 3 Hours of Whale Watching6 reviews
★ 5.0Whale watching with Snorkeling and beach ColomitosFrom $572 reviews
★ 3.3Puerto Vallarta: Whale Watching Photo SafariFrom $893 reviews
★ 5.0Puerto Vallarta: Whale watching2 reviews

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