Being able to see one of the largest animal species in the world in its natural habitat is a spectacle that cannot be compared. If you are a nature lover, whale watching is one of the experiences that you have to live at least once in your life.
Puerto Vallarta is an ideal destination for whale watching. The season to do this activity begins in December and runs until March.
Here we share everything you need to know to live this adventure.
Where, how and when to live the whale watching experience?
Due to the high demand for the activity, the best thing to do is to book in advance so you don't run out of space, and follow all the instructions of the expert operators so that your experience is unforgettable and respectful of the environment.
Find the best tour to do whale watching at Mike's Fishing & Tours, it has expert guides to provide you with all the information about this fascinating phenomenon.
You can tell that the guides love their job and know the whales very well, they share all their knowledge with great passion and have a very interesting way of telling you about it, which makes you soak up more of the moment.
They offer a tour of approximately 4 hours and a half, they are large boats to carry up to 150 passengers, which makes it safer to approach the whales with less impact.
What species of whales will you be able to observe?
During this season the most common is to see gray whales and humpbacks with their young. These large mammals measure between 14 and 17 meters in length, weigh 40 to 50 tons and live up to 70 years.
Get your camera ready as you may be able to catch some impressive jumping, as male humpback whales use jumping during the mating and calving season to attract females.
In addition, along the way you could meet wonderful aquatic species, such as dolphins, turtles, manta rays (with their usual show) or if you are very lucky, see an orca out there.
Remember that humans are only guests and spectators, so it is important to only observe and not disturb the species in their ecosystem.
What tour can you take?
The tours usually leave very early in the morning from the Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta docks, to navigate the Pacific waters for a few hours in search of cetaceans that undoubtedly provide a spectacle for those who come to see them.
On the one hand, there are the large boats, which are spacious and will help you feel more secure, especially when it is your first time. We are talking about the largest mammals on earth and despite the fact that whales are a very noble animal, many people feel nervous getting so close to them.
The bigger the boat, the more space there is and it is less stressful for the animals.
Therefore we recommend one of these tours so that you have a more relaxed time, these include food and an open bar, as well as having a guide.
Canuwa
Book your trip to see the humpback whales on a beautiful luxury catamaran while enjoying delicious snacks and an international bar. It can be a private charter in the company of your friends and family or on a public tour that starts at 69 dlls.
PV Fun
When you go out to sea in search of whales, don't forget to also watch for the dolphins and migratory and local birds that fly over the Marietas Islands. One of Puerto Vallarta's all-time favorite excursions is here: the famous whale watching tour.
There is also the option of going on a private tour, either by boat, yacht, or catamaran. In these cases we highly recommend you investigate and make sure that they have the knowledge, professional guides and certified boats that take care of and respect the distance between these wonderful aquatic mammals. Meanwhile we leave you this option:
Mike's
Start a trip to the open sea in search of the humpback whale, walk for approximately 4 hours. The cost per boat goes from 576 dlls up to 10 people.