Dolphin & Turtle Combo Tour
DURATION: 3 ½ HOURS
Live two adventures at a Super Price Promotion. Our combos can be taken at different times, not more than 7 days apart. Dolphin & Turtle Combo offers the dolphins in the wild ride in the morning and go to the turtle camp at night. Or if you prefer the turtle camp one day and another day the dolphin tour, or vice versa. You decide!!!
DOLPHINS IN THE WILD
The tour goes to visit a resident bottlenose dolphin group but sometimes we find spotted dolphins, marine turtles even Bryde whales. Depending on the dolphin’s type group, activity and of course their mood we have good chances to swim with them specially if there are juveniles around (they are very curios), but we can’t guarantee the swimming as they are wild animals so it depends on them not on us. Only during Dec-Mar we can see Humpback whales, spinner dolphins, rough toothed dolphins, giant mantas, and even with luck Sperm Whales, Orcas or False Orcas. Our guides are specialists in cetaceans, Biologists with Masters Degree in Marine Ecology, Science Journalist and Professional Wildlife Photographer (National Geographic magazine and Animal Planet). We have some research programs with whales and dolphins, and during the tour we will share with you this information and you will have the opportunity to participate on our research. Your participation on our tour it’s what makes our research possible, and our research and experience helps us to GUARANTEE 100% that we can find the animals if not your money back.
Do not contribute to capturing more dolphins! Visit them in their own environment because FREE DOLPHINS ARE HAPPY DOLPHINS!!!
TURTLE CAMP
The tour goes to the area of Nuevo Vallarta where the National Protection of Marine Turtles has the official Turtle Preserve and Nursery, this is the main one inside Banderas Bay. We will visit all the facilities of the Turtle Camp to understand the protection program and it’s importance. We patrol the beach to search for a female laying eggs but we can’t guarantee females as they don’t have specific time or place to lay their eggs. When we finish patrolling we will go back to the turtle camp and release baby turtles to the ocean, we GUARANTEE 100% that we will have baby turtles every night if not your money back. Our guides are Biologists with Masters Degree in Marine Ecology, Science Journalist and Professional Wildlife Photographer (National Geographic magazine and Animal Planet). This allows us to provide a qualified, specialized and professional service.
SCHEDULE
- 09:00 Appointment OPEQUIMAR (Vallarta). Located across the street from Westin Resort & Spa Hotel in Marina Vallarta.
- Light Continental breakfast is served while you receive an educational explanation to introduce you to the world of dolphins as well as information about the different species of dolphins in the bay and their habitat.
- 09:30 Departure from OPEQUIMAR. Dolphins are searched inside the bay, the time to find them varies. Once they are found there are possibilities that the clients can swim with the dolphins but there is no GUARANTEE, it always depends on the dolphins.
- 12:30 Arrival to Puerto Vallarta.
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 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
DOLPHIN RESEARCH PROJECT
Capturing of dolphins began in the 1940’s with the purpose of using them as attractions in aquariums. The most common species being captured is the Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Much research has been done with the animals in captivity including behavior, medicine, communication, physiology, anatomy, reproduction and intelligence. Despite the fact that this information is truly invaluable, there are many aspects of dolphin life that can be studied only on animals in their natural habitat.
In 1998 Wildlife Connection began a research program with the Bottlenose Dolphins in Banderas Bay. Part of the project focuses on the indispensable individual identification of the dolphins by taking photos of dorsal fins, which due to their shape and unique marks can be used as an individuals fingerprint. One of our first achievements was a finding that our study group is a resident group that lives exclusively inside Banderas Bay. More detailed study was carried out to determine which areas are important for this group in particular. With all this information, we developed a Masters degree thesis and now we are promoting the species protection in this area.
For more information open the research section or please contact us.
ADOPT A DOLPHIN!
We invite you to participate in the study and conservation of dolphins. Wildlife Connection has the first real Adopt-A-Dolphin Program in Puerto Vallarta, called RADAR. Ask us for information and adopt your own dolphin!
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!
DOLPHINS
NO we don’t do pick ups, first because the bay is really big and it will take an eternity, but most important because taxis have concessions at hotels and they are like a mafia. You will need to take a taxi to our meeting point as well back to your hotel.
YES, on board there are a life vests and life jackets for adults and kids
Normally no but it always depends on each person sensibility to motion movement as well as ocean conditions. If someone is really sensitive we recommend to take only half dramamine pill so it doesn’t make you sleepy but helps with the motion movement.
YES we guarantee that you will see dolphins if not your money back
NO we can’t guarantee swimming with the dolphins, remember they are wild dolphins and they are free to decide what to do, anyway we have a success of 85% of good swimming and interaction with the dolphins
NO, the tour is focused on dolphins and spending the whole morning with them. Sometimes we can find them fast but sometimes it can take longer. Also the snorkeling area is in the south side and dolphins in the north side, and it’s a big bay. For better results enjoying the dolphins we have this 2 tours separated, one is Dolphins in the wild and the other Snorkeling
NO, we don’t touch the dolphins, they are wild animals and we always have to respect the tiny line between us and wildlife to be safe
YES, as it is a tour and swimming is optional, some people decide to get in the water, and some others decide to watch from the boat, both are really enjoyable
It is good if you are strong swimmer but not necessary, we have had people that doesn’t swim at all and they have a lifevest and we help them in the water. If dolphins are interested they will come close to the people in the water
YES, we have masks, snorkels, googles and flippers that you can use during the tour, but if you want to bring yours it is also OK.
TURTLES
NO we don’t do pick ups, first because the bay is really big and it will take an eternity, but most important because taxis have concessions at hotels and they are like a mafia. You will need to take a taxi to our meeting point as well back to your hotel.
YES, we guarantee 100% that you will see babies, if we don’t have babies we don’t do the tour. What we can’t guarantee is to see females as they come to lay eggs any time during the night any place on the whole beach so it’s by luck to see females, anyway in around 90% from Mid-August to November we find a female, before or after that the % is lower.
The reason that the tour is during the night is because most of the turtle activity for females laying eggs and babies hatching happens during the night. Also releases have to be done after sunset.
NO, because the baby releases have to be done after the sunset the reason is because there are less predators for them. Sometimes we do earlier tours but they have to be done at late afternoon to release after sunset.
PRICES
ADULTS 12+
125
106
CHILD 4-11
84
71
* INFANT 0-3 NO CHARGE
* IF YOU ARE TRAVELING WITH A BABY THAT YOU DON’T WANT OR CAN’T TO TAKE TO THE TOUR WE CAN BABYSIT. PLEASE CONTACT US.
SEASON
AUG – MAR
* Exact day of beginning and end of season depends on TURTLES
AVAILABILITY
DAILY
* During season
INCLUDES
DOLPHINS
- SPECIALIST BILINGUAL GUIDE
- EDUCATIONAL EXPLANATION
- HYDROPHONE ON BOARD
- LIGHT BREAKFAST (Coffee, juice, bread)
- BOTTLED WATER & SOFT DRINKS
- SNACKS
TURTLES
- SPECIALIST BILINGUAL GUIDE.
- GROUND TRANSPORTATION
- FLASHLIGHTS
- INSECT REPELENT
- BOTTLED WATER, SOFT DRINKS
- PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
- ADOPT A NEST PROGRAM
RESTRICTIONS
DOLPHINS
- NO AGE RESTRICTIONS.
- SMALL KIDS WILL ENJOY A LOT.
- PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY (PHYSICAL,MENTAL, VISION, HEARING) ARE ALSO WELCOME.
TURTLES
- NO AGE RESTRICTIONS.
- SMALL KIDS WILL ENJOY A LOT
- WE WALK ON THE BEACH SO PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY PROBLEM WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO RELEASE BABIES
WHAT TO BRING & WEAR
DOLPHINS
• CONFORTABLE CLOTHES
• $$$ FOR TIPS AND SOUVENIRS
TURTLES
• CONFORTABLE CLOTHES
• $$$ FOR TIPS AND SOUVENIRS
TERMS & CONDITIONS
FOR CANCELLATION POLICIES AND MORE DETAILS PLEASE READ OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.