This whale-watching tour provides the opportunity to give back on your Puerto Vallarta vacation. In the company of a biologist guide, you'll see humpback whales up close, as well as dolphins, turtles, and giant mantas in their natural environment and participate in a research project that helps to protect them.

Combine citizen science with whale-watching in Puerto Vallarta
Opportunity to see whales, dolphins, and turtles in their natural habitat
Tour is led by a biologist who specializes in cetaceans
See whales up close and learn all about their behavior

What's Included

Bottled water
Soda/Pop
Lunch
Snacks

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Opequimar Centro Marino
Av. Paseo de la Marina Sur 214, Marina Vallarta, 48450 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
OPEQUIMAR is located across the street from Westin Resort in Marina Vallarta. We meet you at the security gate

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Infants must sit on laps
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Stroller accessible

Wheelchair accessible
No es recomendable para personas de mas de 7 meses de embarazo
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

181 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 181 reviews

Whale watching in March in PV

Bakergirl_0, Mar 2023

Was super excited to be able to spot and even see some whales being later in the season. However, we sort of felt like the boats were chasing down the poor whales and never seemed to bother to spot other sea creatures out there. We were very grateful for Jorge for picking up the garbage out on the ocean. It was definitely a great experience and would recommend it to anyone should you have the chance to do it.

Very rewarding very fun very enjoyable

Marsha_B, Mar 2023

Our guide was absolutely understand outstanding professional, and knowledgeable, very easy-going, allowed many questions with an explanation that everyone could understand

Oh My Gosh !!! Whales

Nancy_H, Mar 2023

Oh my gosh,. Just seeing those beautiful whales arch out of the water was great! But watching the flukes come out of the water was amazing

Whale of a time!

Jacqueline_N, Mar 2023

Pilar gave a great video presentation before getting on the boat. The waters were calm and the guide knew where to take us. I saw more than I photographed. I would do this again!

Great adventure

Neal_H, Feb 2023

Sonar used to hear the whales communicate. Beautiful day. Maneuverability of the raft. Sadly, the people in the aft region complained about not hearing the marine biologist. She was very knowledgeable.

Great experience

Holly_L, Feb 2023

This was a great tour especially at the end when we got to see some males interacting/impressing a female. Only suggestion is to make sure both sides of the boat get to see. Seemed like we always pulled up to the left of the action so those standing blocked the view. Also- sandwiches were not so great. Bring snacks but don’t drink too much- no bathroom. Had a great time though and neat experience!!

Amazing trip!

Saadia_T, Feb 2023

We saw 5 whales early on but the highlights were a solo orca and a mom with cub who were incredibly active. Hearing the whale songs was also beautiful. We wanted a trip led by a marine biologist and Pilar was wonderful and informative. We learnt a lot and had a memorable time.

A great experience!

Annie_L, Feb 2023

Pilar was a great guide - she was knowledgeable, patient, good natured and you could tell that she was excited along with us when finding and seeing the whales. We were taken to some amazing spots to view the whales with us being the only boat near. We really appreciated that this company respects the animals and that we could contribute to their research. A great experience!

Gotta go again

Anthony_B, Feb 2023

Best trip ever. Saw numerous whales along with baby whales breaching. Also heard the whales when our fantastic guide put a microphone in the water. Went to an area where we were the only boat

Educational, up-close and personal - would recommend to anyone!

Renata_M, Feb 2023

This is NOT a booze cruise, thankfully! This is an excellent opportunity to learn about whales and see them up close. Loved the instructors/guides and the small size of the tour. Was initially apprehensive about the inflatable boat, but it turns out it's more stable, and you can get closer to the whales because of it! Great accommodations were made for my dad, who is 80. Over a dozen sightings, even though it was late February. HIghly recommend!

Fantastico

Anjali_S, Feb 2023

Incredible experience in mid-end of February seeing multiple pods of whales, highly recommend! Lovely Marine Biologists & excellent captain who took us to the best spots while keeping all safe!

Seeing whales & learning...

Jerri_M, Feb 2023

Seeing whales & learning more about them. Crew was great. Highly recommend this smaller tour with biologist.

A Whale of a Time!

Alexis_W, Feb 2023

Incredible experience! Loved how thorough the education was and the sandwich and drinks were much appreciated. Would bring a poncho and some Dramamine just in case the waves are rough. We saw so many whales!

Whale- and dolphin-watching with a heart, and brain

Lee_W, Feb 2023

This is not a polished, touristy operation, rather a low-key, sincere group striving to help us better understand whales and dolphins. Your experience starts just inside the marina gates with a brief biological lecture. Then you board a zippy 16-passenger Zodiac for a tour around the bay. They worked really hard to try and get us sightings, even switching sides of the bay, and we did see many humpback whales. The emphasis along the way is on education and better understanding these magnificent creatures. They even surprised us with a light, homemade snack and drink, and we stayed out a half-hour longer than expected.

Whale of a Day!

Susan_H, Feb 2023

This was an amazing trip. Started with the marine biologist talking to us about marine mammals. Then off to the boat. The weather was glorious. The boat captain and the marine biologist did a fabulous job of getting us our to the whales. Very interesting day and we learned a lot from the marine biologist. Highly recommend this trip.

So many TAILS! A Must Do Adventure!!

Angela_W, Feb 2023

Going on this whale watching tour was the highlight of my trip. The crew was great and we saw so many active whales, it was incredible! The photo was taken from a video where this whale had his tail up and was flapping it onto the top of the water for over 5 minutes. We saw a whale pod, a couple of mom's with their young. The crew was very knowledgable, got us respectfully close to the whales without disturbing them. I will definitely be booking another whale watching tour with this group the next time I'm in PV.

I would go again!

Janine_R, Feb 2023

So much fun!!! Saw not only humpback whales but dolphins as well. Great time. The biologist and captain were awesome hosts.

Rare sighting of Orca up...

Cheryl_H, Feb 2023

Rare sighting of Orca up close, many adult humpbacks & a baby w/mother. Guide was owner & very knowledgeable. Brief education before boarding. Saw dolphins & rays in addition to the afore mentioned. Great experience!

Excellent ride. Tour...

Tony_C, Feb 2023

Excellent ride. Tour director and captain were attentive and informative. Overall a great experience

impressive tour

LAURA_B, Feb 2023

really impressive tour - small boat, knowledgeable staff, and everything ran smoothly. and the whales, of course, were outstanding (we got really close!)

...

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