All-Inclusive Private Yacht, 5 Hours

Whale Watching All Inclusive Yacht Adventure (Sayulita and Banderas Bay) runs through Chica Locca Tours.

Overview

Chica Locca Tours runs this five hour trip out of Puerto Vallarta, and the core of it is time on Bahía de Banderas looking for whales and whatever else shows up. The listing puts the bay itself at three hours. Reviewers described seeing numerous whales, including one breaching, along with dolphins and a manta ray, so the wildlife beyond whales can be a real bonus.

The boat carries up to 65 travellers, so this is a shared outing rather than a quiet charter. Reviewers described the staff as attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, which matters on a trip where the sightings vary with the day.

Food and drink are included throughout. The listing covers a continental breakfast of fruit, muffins and cinnamon rolls, snacks of guacamole and chips, and a premium open bar plus soft drinks and water. One couple also mentioned slides and swim time off the boat, so bring something you can get wet in. The listing notes it is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet the boatMake your own way to the departure point, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Public transport stops are nearby.
2. Board and breakfastSettle in as the crew serves a continental breakfast of fruit, muffins and cinnamon rolls, with drinks from the open bar.
3. Bahía de Banderas, 3 hoursThe listing gives three hours on the bay, which is the whale watching heart of the trip. Admission to the bay area is free, and reviewers also spotted dolphins and a manta ray here.
4. Return to portThe full experience runs five hours from start to finish.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the difference between a good morning and a great one on this trip.

• Getting to the dock. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own transport. The listing says the departure point is near public transportation.
• Food and drink. Everything edible and drinkable on board is included: a continental breakfast, snacks of guacamole and chips, and unlimited drinks from a premium open bar plus soft drinks and water. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options exist but must be requested at the time of booking.
• Swim gear. One reviewer mentioned slides and swim time aboard, so a swimsuit and a towel may come in handy.
• Group feel. The tour caps at 65 travellers, so expect a busy deck rather than an intimate cruise. Multiple reviewers still praised the crew as attentive and friendly despite the numbers.
• Wildlife luck. Several travellers reported numerous whales, including one breaching, along with dolphins and a manta ray. Sightings are wild animals doing their own thing, so treat anything you see as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
• Photos. Souvenir photos are available for purchase but not included. Bring a camera or phone with charge if you want your own shots of breaching whales.

Common issues. The main limitations come straight from the listing. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, hotel transport is not provided, and gratuities plus souvenir photos cost extra. With up to 65 travellers aboard, anyone wanting a private or quiet boat should look elsewhere. Cancellations within 24 hours of the start time receive no refund.

Common Questions