Our pick · Punta Mita
Experiences · Banderas Bay · Punta Mita
Whale watching in Banderas Bay, December to March.
Each winter humpback whales come into the bay to mate and raise their calves. Go out with a marine mammal guide on a private boat from Punta Mita, or on a shared trip in Puerto Vallarta.
2 – 3 hoursDuration
Punta MitaPrivate boats leave from
All ages6 + on the photo safari
Dec – MarBest in January and February
Private & sharedThree ways to go
The season
Humpbacks in the bay, every winter.
From December to March, humpback whales gather in Banderas Bay to mate, give birth and raise their calves. The official season runs from 8 December to 23 March, and January and February are the most active months.
For whale watching, Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita share the same water: the boats usually find the whales along the coast between the Marietas Islands and the city. From a Punta Mita villa, the private boat is the simple choice, as it leaves from Punta Mita and takes your party only.
On every trip a hydrophone goes into the water, so you can hear the whales sing as well as watch them.
Choose your boat
Three ways to see the whales.
A private boat from Punta Mita, or two shared whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta: a small-group photo safari and a catamaran cruise. All are run by Vallarta Adventures and booked through us.
Our pick · Punta Mita
Shared · small group
Whale Watching Photo Safari
- Inflatable speed boat, at sea level
- Marine mammal experts as guides
- Hydrophones for the whale song
- Fruit and water
No facilities on board. From 20 December to 1 March, if you see no whales you can go again at no charge.
Our concierge confirms availability and books it for you.
Booking for the whole villa? The private boat takes your party only; for larger groups our concierge arranges more than one.
The film
Whale Watching Photo Safari
The small-boat photo safari: humpbacks spyhopping beside the hull, a mother and calf below the surface, breaches at close range and the boat out on a flat morning sea.
Film · Vallarta Adventures
Private whale watching
Two hours, in order.
i.
Board at Punta Mita
Your private boat and naturalist
ii.
Find the whales
The captain follows the day’s activity
iii.
Listen in
Hydrophones pick up the whale song
iv.
Back at Punta Mita
About two hours after you left
The order of the day as the operator runs it; exact times are confirmed when you book.
The gallery
See it for yourself.
When to go
Through the year.
Jan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Season
Apr
·
May
·
Jun
·
Jul
·
Aug
·
Sep
·
Oct
·
Nov
·
Dec
Season
Official season, 8 December to 23 March
Most active, January and February
Good to know
Before you go.
Season
The official season is 8 December to 23 March; the shared trips guarantee a sighting from 20 December to 1 March.
Ages
The private boat and the cruise take all ages. The photo safari is from age 6, and Vallarta Adventures' booking conditions exclude pregnancy and back or neck conditions.
What to wear
Winter mornings on the water are cool: long trousers, closed shoes, a light jacket, and a hat with a strap on the speed boat.
On the day
No drones. On the shared trips, a dock fee and a whale conservation fee are paid on the day.
Our take
Founder, Villa Experience
“From a Punta Mita villa I suggest the private boat: two hours, your party only, and you leave from Punta Mita. If you can choose your dates, go in January or February.”
Founder, Villa Experience
After the boat, breakfast or lunch at the villa by a private chef (at additional cost), arranged by our concierge.
Questions
Before you ask.
When is whale season?
The official season runs from 8 December to 23 March, and whales are sometimes seen as early as November or as late as May. January and February are the most active months.
Private boat or shared?
From Punta Mita, the private whale watching tour: two hours, your party only, with a naturalist and hydrophones. In Puerto Vallarta, the photo safari is a small group whale watching trip on an inflatable speed boat, and the whale watching cruise is a larger catamaran with lunch and an open bar.
How close do the boats get to the whales?
The crews follow responsible whale-watching guidelines, so the whales set the distance. The photo safari’s inflatable boat sits low on the water, which gives a closer view at sea level.
Are sightings guaranteed?
On the two shared trips, from 20 December to 1 March: if you see no whales, you can join a second trip at no charge. Refunds do not apply.
Which whales will we see?
Mostly humpbacks. Orcas, Bryde’s whales and minke whales are seen less often.
Where do the boats leave from?
The private boat leaves from Punta Mita. The shared trips leave from Puerto Vallarta, and your check-in point is confirmed when you book.
Villa Experience Concierge
Let us arrange the day.
Tell us your dates and your group. We book the right option and the transfer, plan the rest of the day at the villa, and send you one confirmation.
Pairs well with
More for the same week.
Whale watchingOperated by Vallarta Adventures
Reserve
