Catamaran Cruise, Meal Included

Puerto Vallarta: Whale Watching on Catamaran runs through Puerto Vallarta Net.

Overview

This four-hour catamaran trip puts you on the bay of Puerto Vallarta during the humpback season, which runs from December to March. You board at the Terminal Marítima Puerto Mágico on Blvd. Fco. Medina Ascencio, then cruise the bay scanning for whales or the spray they leave behind when they come up to breathe. Once a group is found, the crew keeps a respectful distance under environmental guidelines, staying close enough for clear viewing without disturbing the animals.

Two things separate this outing from a standard sightseeing boat. First, a biologist guides the trip and talks through whale behavior and biology as you go. Second, the boat carries a hydrophone, so when whales are singing nearby you can hear them rather than just watching from the rail.

The tour suits travellers who want some substance with the spectacle, and at least one guest agrees. That recent guest wrote that the biologist taught the group a lot, and that they saw more whales on this excursion than on trips they had taken in Alaska or Hawaii. Food and drink are covered too: the morning departure includes breakfast, the noon departure includes lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and juice are available on board, with restrooms as well.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Puerto MágicoMake your own way to Terminal Marítima Puerto Mágico on Blvd. Fco. Medina Ascencio km 4.5. Transportation is not included, and there is a small marina entrance fee paid locally.
2. Board the catamaranClimb aboard a catamaran designed for viewing from every angle. Settle in with coffee, juice or other non-alcoholic drinks.
3. Cruise the baySail out from the marina and scan the water for whales or the trail they leave when surfacing to breathe. The biologist on board explains what to look for.
4. Watch and listenOnce whales are located, the boat follows environmental guidelines and keeps a respectful distance. A hydrophone lets you hear the whales' songs while the biologist discusses their behavior and biology.
5. Eat and returnDepending on your departure, breakfast is served on the morning tour or lunch on the noon tour. The boat then heads back to the marina.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the day right, from what to wear to how the extra fees work.

• Getting there. Pickup is not included, so plan your own transport to Terminal Marítima Puerto Mágico. There is a marina entrance fee of 30 pesos per person, roughly 1.50 USD, paid on site. Bring cash for it.
• What to wear. The listing advises warm clothing because it can get chilly on the water. Comfortable shoes and clothes are recommended, plus a hat and sunscreen.
• What to bring. A camera and binoculars are both on the operator's bring list. Restrooms are on board, so you do not need to plan around that.
• Food and drink. The morning tour includes breakfast and the noon tour includes lunch. Coffee, juice and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on board, so there is no need to pack your own.
• Guiding style. A biologist leads the tour and shares detail on whale behavior and biology throughout. One guest who reviewed the tour said the biologist taught the group a lot.
• Timing the season. Whale watching is best from December to March, so book inside that window. The whole outing runs about four hours, which leaves the rest of the day free.

Common issues. The main things to plan around are logistical rather than anything about the tour itself. Transportation to the marina is not included, and each person pays a 30-peso marina entrance fee in cash on arrival. Gratuities are also not included. Sightings depend on nature and on being in the December to March season, and the boat maintains a respectful distance from the whales under environmental guidelines, so viewing happens from that range rather than up close.

Common Questions