Season
Season Dates
Arrival, peak and departure windows for humpbacks in Banderas Bay, month by month.
How To Choose A Whale Watching Tour In Puerto Vallarta
Trips differ in length, boat type and what the fare covers, from open boats to yacht charters. Set that against the ratings.
Whale Season And Timing
Season
Best Month For Whales
January vs February, plus the December and March shoulder weeks, compared on whales, calves, crowds and sea state.
Season
Humpback Behavior
Why humpbacks winter in Banderas Bay and the behaviors you watch for from the boat.
Season
Weather In Whale Season
Temperatures, rain and sea conditions across the Banderas Bay whale months.
Choosing A Whale Tour
Comparison
Tours Compared
Every whale tour format in Banderas Bay compared on price, boat type and departure point.
Tours
Whale Tour Costs
Whale tour prices by format, from $42 shared boats to $2,088 private yachts, and what each ticket includes.
Comparison
Private vs Shared
Cost per person, group size and flexibility compared across every private and shared whale tour on the roster.
Tours
Sailing Whale Tours
Catamaran, mega yacht and sailing whale cruises compared on price, food, stability and departure marina.
Prices, Safety And Getting There
Logistics
Marina Departures
Which whale tours leave from which marina, and how long the transfer takes from each hotel zone.
Logistics
Sayulita Whale Tours
Which whale boats leave from Sayulita, what they cost, and how the north-bay experience differs.
Planning
Punta Mita Whale Tours
The north end of the bay, its restricted zone, and the Sayulita and La Cruz boats that cover it.
Whale And Snorkel Combos
Experiences
Marietas Whale Combos
How a whale plus Marietas Islands day actually works: formats, fees, distances and park rules.
Experiences
Hidden Beach Marietas
Access rules, park fees and landing versus boat-pass options for Playa del Amor.
Combos
Snorkeling Guide
Los Arcos versus the Marietas, combo tours, park rules and what snorkeling costs around Puerto Vallarta.
On The Day: What To Bring And Expect
Planning
Whale Tour Packing
Exactly what to pack for a Banderas Bay whale tour, and what the boats already provide.
Experiences
Photographing Humpbacks
Settings, lens reach, light and phone tips for whale photos from a Banderas Bay boat.
Planning
Whale Watching Rules
The federal distance, speed and approach rules for Banderas Bay whale boats, and how to spot a compliant operator.
Experiences
Tour Lengths
Every whale tour duration in Banderas Bay compared, from 3 hour shared boats to the 5 hour Marietas combo.
Planning Your Trip
Planning
Free And Cheap
Free beaches, walks and shore whale watching, plus the one splurge worth making.
Planning
Winter In Puerto Vallarta
A winter week in Puerto Vallarta planned around one whale day, with weather, day trips and prices.