Private 3-Hour, Pickup Included

Puerto Vallarta: Private 3-Hour Whale-Watching Tour runs through Travel Vallarta.

Overview

This is a private, 3-hour whale-watching trip on the bay of Puerto Vallarta, run by Travel Vallarta, with a boat, captain and guide reserved for your own group rather than a shared departure. Humpback whales pass through these warm waters to migrate, mate and give birth, and the tour centres on watching for these mammals in their natural habitat. Guides and captains explain what the whales are doing as it happens, from breaching and tail slapping to mothers tending their calves.

The pace of the day is simple. Hotel pickup is included, as detailed at booking, then the boat heads out onto the bay for three hours of whale watching. Beyond the whales, the tour also takes in the scenery of the bay, its lush landscapes and its other marine life.

It suits families and small groups who want an exclusive outing on a private boat. Dolphins and other marine life appear in the bay too, and the scenery of the bay itself is part of the draw. Trips run in Spanish and English.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupThe listing states hotel pickup is included, as detailed at booking. No further itinerary detail is given for this stage.
2. Board the boatThe full description covers a private whale-watching tour on the bay of Puerto Vallarta, without a published step-by-step schedule. The listing gives no specific boarding details.
3. Whale watchingThe core of the tour is watching humpback whales in the bay, with the possibility of breaching, tail slapping, mothers with calves and other surface behaviour, as described in the listing.
4. Bay sceneryThe listing also highlights the scenic beauty of the bay, its lush landscapes and vibrant marine life as part of the outing.
5. Tour endsThe tour lasts 3 hours in total. No drop-off details are specified in the listing.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the three hours on the water go more smoothly.

• What to bring. The listing recommends comfortable clothing. The boat has a roof, but sunscreen is worth bringing if you want it, plus water or something to eat.
• Seasickness. If you are prone to seasickness, the listing suggests bringing a motion-sickness tablet such as dramamine.
• Patience pays off. One reviewer described a long ride before the first sighting, followed by close encounters lasting over an hour. Another reported seeing about 15 whales on a calm day, so sightings vary from trip to trip.
• Private group feel. This is a private tour, so the experience is personalised for your party. One traveller specifically praised the captain and boat on their trip.
• Calm conditions help. One reviewer noted calm seas on their trip, which made the ride comfortable. Sea conditions on any given day will shape how the outing feels.
• Close encounters. Travellers described whales surfacing at full length beside the boat and a full breach in front of them. Encounters can also include fluke presentations and mothers with calves close to the vessel.

Common issues. Finding whales can take time, and one review describes a long boat ride before the first sighting, so manage expectations on that front. One reviewer found communication with the company difficult in the two days before the excursion, though the information for the meeting place did come through. A port tax of 39 MXN is not included and must be paid separately.

Common Questions