Speedboat Or Catamaran Choice

Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta by Speedboat or Catamaran runs through Tours & Actividades.

Overview

This tour gives you the same humpback whale encounter in Banderas Bay two different ways: on a stable catamaran aimed at families and comfort, or on a speedboat built for quicker approaches and better photo angles. Both versions run three to four hours, carry a marine biologist who explains whale behaviour and migration, and let you pick the boat, and the morning or afternoon slot, when you book. On the catamaran, a hydrophone lets you listen to the whales singing live.

The catamaran suits travellers who want space to move around, a relaxed atmosphere, and a fuller catering package. The morning departure includes a breakfast of pancakes, eggs with ham, fruit and juice; the afternoon departure serves a beef burger with shrimp and pasta with pesto. An open bar runs on this option. The operator also states the catamaran works for wheelchair users and seniors. The speedboat option is aimed at adventurous types and photographers who want more agile positioning near breaches and fin slaps. Catering there is a simple box lunch, a sandwich, water and fruit, on both schedules.

Two costs sit outside the ticket: a dock tax of 35 pesos per person and a 25 peso per person preservation bracelet. There is no hotel pickup, and the meeting point depends on which boat option you select, so check the booking page for the exact location before you go.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check-in at the dockArrive 45 minutes before departure for the catamaran, or 20 minutes early for the speedboat. Bring official ID for check-in.
2. Board your chosen boatBoard either the catamaran or the speedboat, depending on the option selected at booking.
3. Sail into the bayThe boat heads out into the bay on a sightseeing route lasting roughly three to four hours, with the marine biologist on board explaining whale behaviour, migration and habits.
4. Whale watchingWatch humpback whales in their natural habitat, with breaches, fin slaps and other movements in the wild. The season is limited. On the catamaran, the on-board hydrophone lets you hear the whales singing in real time.
5. Food and drinksOn the catamaran, breakfast is served on morning departures and lunch on afternoon departures, with an open bar. On the speedboat, a box lunch of sandwich, water and fruit is provided on both schedules.
6. Return to the dockThe boat returns to the meeting point at the end of the trip.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this trip goes, from cash for dock fees to which boat fits your group.

• Bring cash. The listing recommends bringing cash for souvenirs or gratuities. Note also that the dock tax of 35 pesos per person and the 25 peso preservation bracelet are not in the ticket price.
• Arrive early. Check-in times differ by boat. Catamaran passengers should arrive 45 minutes before departure, speedboat passengers 20 minutes before, and the operator stresses punctuality.
• Sun and layers. The packing list includes sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a jacket and comfortable clothes. Sun protection matters on open water, and a jacket covers wind and spray on the speedboat.
• ID required. Bring a passport or ID card. The operator asks for official ID at check-in, so have it accessible rather than buried in luggage.
• Pick your boat. The catamaran is the better fit for families, seniors and wheelchair users, and it carries the fuller food package. The speedboat suits travellers who want faster repositioning near active whales and better angles for photographs.
• No coolers. Coolers are not allowed on board. Drinks are covered anyway, by the open bar on the catamaran and the water included in the speedboat box lunch.

Common issues. The main practical limits come straight from the listing. There is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the meeting point, which varies by boat option and is confirmed when you check availability. Two fees are excluded from the ticket: a 35 peso per person dock tax and a 25 peso per person preservation bracelet. Cruise passengers need to watch the Puerto Vallarta time zone, GMT-6, against their ship's clock to avoid missing check-in.

Common Questions