Mike's 4-Hour Whale Cruise

Whale Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta runs through Mike's Fishing & Tours.

Overview

This four-hour cruise from Mike's Fishing & Tours runs out of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta during the humpback season, and the boat spends its time in the bay looking for pods, spouts, backs and tails. Reviews again and again describe the crew as good at finding whales, with sightings of mothers and calves, breaches and flukes reported across the winter months. Live commentary runs throughout the trip.

The trip is built as a comfortable day out rather than a bare bones expedition. A continental breakfast with pancakes, fruit, yogurt, coffee and juice is served first, then lunch, which reviewers describe as a vegetarian ceviche, ham and cheese paninis, a marlin burrito and tortilla chips. An open bar with international alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is included, and passengers repeatedly mention the crew keeping glasses filled.

The boat is large, and reviewers describe it as comfortable. Capacity is capped at 120, though reviewers who sailed with smaller loads said it never felt crowded. Getting to the right dock on time matters, since refunds are not issued when the tour is missed due to a late or non-arriving cruise ship.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at the dockTwo dock options exist depending on hotel location. The listing directs travellers to arrive 20 minutes early, and messages on the booking page carry the confirmed details.
2. Nuevo Vallarta departureThe Paradise Village dock in Nuevo Vallarta is the earlier departure point, listed at 8:30 AM.
3. Puerto Vallarta departureThe API dock at Puerto Magico in Puerto Vallarta is listed at 9:20 AM. A port fee applies at the pier and is paid in cash, as it is not included.
4. Cruise out to the whale groundsThe boat heads out into the bay, with breakfast served on the way.
5. Whale watchingTime is spent searching for and watching humpbacks, with live commentary on board and drinks served throughout.
6. Return cruiseThe boat makes its way back along the shore with lunch served on board. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape how this day goes, from dock logistics to what the food and boat are actually like.

• Getting to the dock. Pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way to one of the two docks.
• Food and drink. Breakfast and lunch are both included, along with an open bar. Reviewers often mention the vegetarian ceviche, sandwiches and burritos, and say the crew keeps drinks coming all morning.
• The boat. The vessel is large and reviewers describe it as comfortable. Reviewers who sailed with lighter loads said it never felt crowded, though the maximum group size is 120.
• Cash for extras. A port fee applies at the pier and must be paid in cash. Crew gratuities are optional and not included, so bringing some money is useful.
• Timing and delays. The tour is listed at four hours, and one reviewer reported a departure about 25 minutes late and a slightly shorter day as a result. Building some slack into the rest of the day's plans is sensible.
• Who it suits. Most travellers can participate, and reviewers mention seniors and infants on board. It is not wheelchair accessible, pushchairs are allowed, and the listing advises against it for pregnant travellers or those with back problems.

Common issues. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing says it is not recommended for pregnant travellers or people with back problems. A port fee must be paid in cash at the pier, and gratuities are extra. No refunds are issued when the tour is missed due to a late or non-arriving cruise ship, so timing matters for cruise passengers. Weather and minimum traveller numbers can also cause cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered in those cases.

Common Questions