Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching

DURATION: 4 ½ HOURS

Whale watching is one of the most impressive activities in nature you can participate in. Of all the whales, the humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae) are the most spectacular ones thanks to their breaching, lobtailing, flippering and their beautiful songs, which are part of their courtship rituals. Wildlife Connection offers you the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable encounter with these friendly giants who arrive to Puerto Vallarta to mate and give birth, during the winter months, year after year. We can also enjoy different species of dolphins inside the bay. Come with us and meet these magnificent creatures.

THESE GENTLE GIANTS DESERVE OUR RESPECT

PRICES

ADULTS 12+

CHILD 4-11

* 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.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

DO YOU WANT TO SAVE MORE BUYING 2 OF OUR NATURE ACTIVITIES???
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR COMBO

WHALE + DOLPHIN + TURTLE COMBO

OVERVIEW

WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING

During winter we combine the whale watching with dolphin watching. The humpback whales come here to mate and to give birth, so you will have the chance to see baby whales and the lots of activity on surface such as breaching, lob tailing, fluking, flippering as part of their courtship. We have hydrophone on board to hear whale songs and the dolphins communication. There are different dolphin species in the bay, we can find (mostly only on the morning tour) bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, rough toothed dolphins and with luck we can find Sperm whales, Orcas or False Orcas. We can also see giant mantas and marine turtles. In this tour we don’t swim with the dolphins, if you are interested on swimming with them we recommend you our Dolphins in the Wild tour.

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.

ITINERARY

SCHEDULE

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.

CRUISE SHIPS: We arrange special later departures for cruise passengers. It will depend on the Cruise Line’s arrival time to port. Please contact us to check the itinerary that will apply for you. ** PICKUP AT CRUISE SHIP, we can offer you a private Van with City Tour included after Whale Tour, if interested ask us for costs and details.

SMALL GROUPS:

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.

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

GALLERY

RESEARCH

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 beeing 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!

F.A.Q.

Do you pick up at hotels?Diego2020-11-29T18:26:53+00:00

Do you pick up at hotels?

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.

Do you always find Whales?Diego2020-11-29T19:55:45+00:00

Do you always find Whales?

YES we guarantee that you will see whales if not money back

Can we swim with dolphins in the whale tour?Diego2020-11-29T19:58:09+00:00

Can we swim with dolphins in the whale tour?

NO, because dolphins have a specific territory and whales are moving in all the bay. The tour is focused mainly on whales and spending the whole morning with them. also somedays they will be far and it will take longer to find them. Even if we find dolphins sometimes they are playing with the whales and it is not safe for swimming, and also sometimes we find other species of dolphins and not the group we use for swimming. If you are interested in swimming with dolphins we recommend the dolphins in the wild tour.

Do you have life jackets?Diego2020-11-29T18:10:53+00:00

Do you have life jackets?

YES, on board there are a life vests and life jackets for adults and kids

Do people get sea sick?Diego2020-12-17T04:37:00+00:00

Do people get sea sick?

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.