Private Charter, Lunch Included

Private Whale Watching Tour in Puerto Vallarta runs through Vallarta Natours.

Overview

This is a private whale watching charter run by Vallarta Natours out of Marina Vallarta, and it runs about 3 hours 30 minutes on the water. A professional guide comes along to explain what you are seeing, and reviewers often describe guides with strong marine biology knowledge who answer questions throughout the trip.

The tour runs seasonally, December to March. Reviewers consistently report breaching whales and mother and calf pods, with plenty of teaching along the way. Lunch and soft beverages are provided on board, with a vegetarian option if you request it when booking, and reviewers with kids said the sandwiches and snacks worked for adults too.

It suits families, including ones with young children, since infants can sit on laps and the boat is listed as wheelchair and pushchair accessible. One party of seven described their trip as fabulous. The operator caps bookings at 8 passengers. You make your own way to the pier in Marina Vallarta; hotel transport is not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Marina VallartaMeet the guide outside the pier entrance at Vallarta Natours, Marina Vallarta. The guide wears a uniform with Vallarta Natours logos.
2. Board the boatBoard the private boat with your group only. Only your party takes part in the tour.
3. Whale watching on the bayHead out to find humpback whales and other wildlife, with the guide explaining behaviour throughout. Several reviewers reported breaching whales and mother and calf pods.
4. Lunch on boardSoft beverages and lunch are served during the trip, with sandwiches, snacks and cookies mentioned by reviewers. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.
5. Return to the marinaThe tour ends back at the same meeting point in Marina Vallarta after about 3 hours 30 minutes on the water.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape this trip, from the cash port tax to the seasonal window and the boat setup.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the pier in Marina Vallarta, which the listing says is near public transportation.
• Cash for the port tax. A port tax of MX$50.00 per person is paid in cash to the guide on the day. It is not in the tour price, so bring pesos for everyone in your group.
• Food and drink. Lunch and soft beverages are included. Several reviewers praised the sandwiches, snacks and cookies, and the operator can cater a vegetarian option if you advise at booking.
• Group size. The boat is private, so only your group is aboard, and bookings are capped at 8 passengers.
• Kids and mobility. The tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and infants must sit on laps. One reviewer travelling with children aged 4 to 11 said all of them enjoyed it.
• Weather and timing. The tour departs rain or shine and runs only December to March. Reviewers on a cloudy day still saw many whales.

Common issues. The main catches are practical. No hotel transport is provided, so you arrange your own way to Marina Vallarta, and the MX$50.00 per person port tax is cash only. Bookings are limited to 8 passengers, which can squeeze larger parties. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers and good weather to run; if it is cancelled for either reason you are offered a different date or a full refund, and full refunds on your own cancellation require at least 24 hours notice. One reviewer noted a cloudy day, though whales were still plentiful. Sightings are wildlife dependent, but nearly all reviewers reported many whales.

Common Questions