PUERTO VALLARTA
The best days out on Banderas Bay.
The 15 most-booked whale & dolphin watching tours in Puerto Vallarta, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who runs it — so you can pick the right day on the bay and lock it in within a couple of minutes.
A half-day Puerto Vallarta wildlife tour using a hydrophone to find wild bottlenose dolphins—then swim when conditions allow.
Most Popular“We saw pods of dolphins including baby dolphins! We also got the chance to swim so close to a pod of juvenile dolphins literally the coolest experience.”
Biologist-led humpback and dolphin watching in Puerto Vallarta with citizen science, hydrophone whale songs, and small groups.
“This tour was beyond expectations!! We do have to premise that we got really lucky there were only 5 of us on the boat so we got to move around freely and see things way better than if there were more people but all the boxes got checked: breaching whale, momma and her baby, a…”
A 3-hour sunset yacht cruise in Puerto Vallarta with open bar, guacamole snacks, and a crew that tracks whales in Bay of Banderas.
“Chicago Locco Tours was not only professional but provided a very fun event. Check in at the office was easy then we waited to be walked through the port security where they check everyone. There is a fee that you would pay with other tour companies but it is included with this tour so keep…”
3-hour Puerto Vallarta whale encounter with bilingual guide, hydrophone whale songs, snacks, and small-boat close sightings for $99.
“Excellent tour saw a number of whales. Smaller boat size made it easy to maneuver and get close to the whales”
Puerto Vallarta whale watching by catamaran with open bar, breakfast and lunch, live narration, and real time chances to see whales in the Bay of Banderas.
“Great experience watching humpback whales! Plenty of food and drinks on board, also lots of shaded spots to sit or upstairs. Captain and the assistants were super attentive and helpful. Only slight issue was trying to find the kiosk because it was inside where the cruise terminal is and can be a bit busy. Definitely…”
A small-group half-day whale-watching cruise in Puerto Vallarta’s Banderas Bay, led by a marine biologist with lunch included.
“It was fantastic! More than we expected. We saw several whale pods during the trip and quite a few breaches which was a first for us. Memorable!!!”
Puerto Vallarta whale and dolphin cruise with open bar, breakfast, and lunch, plus marine experts and hydrophone for a full 4.5-hour outing.
“Overall, I enjoyed the trip. The crew was very attentive the whole trip. I loved that the tour was in Spanish and English. I appreciated the open bar and lunch! We didn’t see very many whales but the crew was very persistent in trying to find them for us. We also saw dolphins along the…”
Speedboat whale watching in Puerto Vallarta with marine experts, hydrophones, and humpback migration sightings in Banderas Bay.
“Lovely way to spend the first part of the day. Chai was really informative and entertaining. He explained the length of various times whales dive, and varying behaviours of them to manage the group’s expectations really well. We got some incredible photos and visited at least 3-5 groups of whales, including a very active baby!”
Puerto Vallarta whale watching with a marine biologist, hydrophone whale song, small group boat time, and included snacks.
“Amazing day whale watching. We started with an overview of the humpback whale in their office which was informative and interesting. We learned about their habitat, migration and much more from our guide Francisco. Then it was out to the boat which is open sides for viewing but a canopy overhead for the sun. We…”
High-speed whale watching in Puerto Vallarta with lunch and snacks. Spot migrating humpbacks, plus dolphins, with English guides.
“Well organized. Great crew. Fast speed boat ride was fun even of itself. The guide and the captain were very knowledgeable and entertaining.”
Half-day Puerto Vallarta cruise to swim with wild dolphins and snorkel at Los Arcos, led by a biologist guide for small groups.
“Out of all the things I did in Puerto Vallarta, this opportunity to swim with actual wild dolphins was hands down the most incredible. I was very skeptical at first, because I thought, what are the chances that we'd actually find them, let along get to swim with them, and so I almost didn't do…”
Private whale watching in Puerto Vallarta with a fast boat, marine-biologist guides, and lunch on the water during humpback season.
“Excellent boat and informative crew. Got on whales immediately and observed a few mother and calf pods. Great weather and smooth seas. I give this an A+”
Sunset and Whales on a mega yacht in Puerto Vallarta with a premium open bar, guacamole snacks, whale viewing, and a city-lights return.
“Whale watching was so fun! The guide and captain were both excellent and helpful, and we saw so many whales breaching and jumping. The energy on board was great and the staff were very attentive - we constantly had our drinks refilled and they brought around food at 2 different points during the cruise (which…”
Chase humpback whales and dolphins on a Puerto Vallarta boat, with possible snorkeling, beach time, and a quick garden stop for $45.
“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.”
Private 3-hour whale watching in Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay with hydrophone, eco-minded guides, and snacks for groups up to 6.
“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…”
The bay, the Sierra, the old town and the coast north — and the best way to do each.
