Whale + Dolphin + Turtle Combo

SCHEDULE FOR WHALES & DOLPHINS

• We have 2 itineraries: Morning tour “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” (includes the dolphins) , and Afternoon tour (same price but dolphins are not guaranteed).
• 08:00 (morning tour) or 12:30 (afternoon tour)
  1- OPEQUIMAR-YATCH CLUB (Vallarta). Located across the street from Westin Regina Hotel in Marina Vallarta.
• Light breakfast (Coffee, juice and bread) is served while you receive an educational explanation to introduce you to the world of whales as well as information about the different species of dolphins in the bay and their habitat.
• 08:30 (morning tour) or 13:00 (afternoon tour).
  Departure from: OPEQUIMAR. Whales and dolphins are searched inside the bay, the time to find them varies. Once they are found more information about them is provided. Big chances to see giant mantas, marine turtles and with lot’s of luck Orcas.
• 13:00 (morning tour) or  17:00 (afternoon tour). Arrival to Puerto Vallarta- OPEQUIMAR/ Nuevo Vallarta – PUBLIC PIER YATCH CLUB Located beside the Paradise Village.

SCHEDULE FOR TURTLES

• 19:30- 20:45 (Appointment depends on your hotel area and month)
  1.- OPEQUIMAR. This is located in Marina Vallarta. Just across the
  street of Westin Resort & Spa Hotel.
  2.- BAHIA DEL SOL. This small hotel is located in Nuevo
  Vallarta, and it is the entrance to the nursery.
• 21:00 Arrival to turtle camp. Guests receive an educational explanation to introduce them to the world of turtles and their conservation.
• 21:30 Female turtles laying eggs are searched on the beach
• 22:30 Baby turtle release.
• 00:00- 01:00 Arrival to Puerto Vallarta (depends on month and turtle activity)
•  

SMALL GROUPS:

For both activities we handle small groups. For Whales & Dolphins we use a small boats because is the best way to get close to the animals with low impact. Our boats are 27ft and 33ft shaded fast boats, with capacity for 12, 14 and 20 passengers (depends the number of clients the boat we use). So it’s a private and personalized tour. In the case of Turtles we use Vehicles with maximum 8 to 14 persons per van, normally we take 14 persons or less per tour. If needed we can arrange bigger groups.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

• 48 hours or more prior to excursion date – 100% refund
• 36 hours or more prior to excursion date – 50% refund or we will accept date changes
• 24 hours prior to excursion date – we will accept date changes but no refunds

• No shows or late arrivals – no refund (no refund will be given under any circumstance)

    All changes are subject of availability. For group or private tour cancellations policies and more details please read our Terms & Conditions

WHALE RESEARCH PROJECT

Due to the fact that whales spend most of their lives underwater, the first studies conducted were performed on animals that were stranded or caught during the whaling era. The whaling itself was a dark age in the history of many species reducing their populations to almost extinction. Humpback whales were no exception. Today, they are still on the endangered species list, which means that any ongoing research is of a great importance since a lot more information is needed to successfully assist the conservation of the species.

Wildlife Connection has been studying the Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Banderas Bay since 1991. The first and very important step was to recognize the whales individually, which has been carried out by taking photos of the ventral part of the fluke, where unique patterns of pigmentation are present. Using these patterns as a fingerprint we have now catalogued more than 810 different whales being part to the SPLASH PROJECT. Our project continues, as there is still much to learn and understand. For the moment our research has resulted in 1 undegraduated thesis, 1 masters degree thesis, and we are working on a PHD thesis. Over these past few years we have learned more about humpback behavior and the importance of certain areas for their successful breeding and survival. Banderas Bay, being a place where humpbacks gather every winter to mate and breed, is a place of an enormous importance and its conservation has to be recognized as an urgent priority. For more information please contact us.

ADOPT A WHALE!

We invite you to participate in the study and conservation of the whales.Wildlife Connection has the first real Adopt-A-Whale Program in Puerto Vallarta, called RADAR. Ask us for information and adopt your own whale!

TURTLE PROTECTION PROJECT

We have been participating on the turtle protection area since 1995, helping first as biology students and then as college biologists.
For more information please contact us.

ADOPT A NEST!

We invite you to participate in the protection and conservation of turtles. Wildlife Connection on each tour adopts a nest and the money goes to the turtle preserve’s needs, we also have a real Adopt-A-Nest Program in Puerto Vallarta, called RADAR. All nest adoptions fund goes to Aletitas de Esperanza A.C. Ask us for information and adopt your own nest!

WHALE + DOLPHINS

TURTLES