GoPralia Trip, Drinks Included

Whale Watching The Best Of Puerto Vallarta runs through GoPralia.

Overview

This GoPralia trip runs three and a half hours out of Marina Vallarta, with a 09:00 start from Opequimar Centro Marino on Avenida Paseo de la Marina Sur. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to the dock and the boat returns to the same spot at the end. Snacks and drinks are on board, including water, soft drinks, beer and national drinks, and a sail happens when the weather allows.

Groups are capped at 15 travellers, and one reviewer found the outing more intimate than the larger cruises, with pods of whales spotted, breaching included, close to the boat. That reviewer also said questions could be asked of the crew in Spanish or English.

The boat itself is a tour boat with plastic chairs rather than a yacht, a point one reviewer made while still calling the day awesome. With no pickup included, travellers need to arrange their own transport to the marina.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Opequimar Centro MarinoArrive at Opequimar Centro Marino, Av. Paseo de la Marina Sur 214, Marina Vallarta, for a 09:00 start. Transport to the meeting point is not included.
2. Board the boatThe trip carries a maximum of 15 travellers. The operator does not recommend it for babies.
3. Watch for whalesHead out on the water to look for whales. One reviewer reported pods of whales, including breaching, and being up close to them.
4. Snacks and drinksSnacks are served during the trip, and one reviewer mentions fruit and granola early on, then chips, salsa and guacamole later. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer and national drinks.
5. Sail, weather permittingThe listing includes a sail when the weather cooperates.
6. Return to the marinaThe activity ends back at the meeting point, roughly three and a half hours after departure.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help set expectations before booking this trip.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. Travellers make their own way to Opequimar Centro Marino in Marina Vallarta for the 09:00 departure, and the boat returns to the same point.
• Extra fees on-site. Two fees are paid separately: a port tax of MX$35.00 per person and a whales conservation fee of MX$85.00 per person. Budget for these on top of the booking.
• Group feel. The boat holds at most 15 travellers. One reviewer described the outing as more intimate than the larger cruises and liked being up close to the whales in a small group.
• The boat itself. One reviewer was blunt that this is a tour boat with plastic chairs, not a super yacht, and still rated the day highly. Go in expecting function over polish.
• Food and drink. One reviewer mentions fruit and granola first, then chips, salsa and guacamole later in the trip.
• Questions on board. One reviewer said the crew took questions in Spanish or English, and reviewers also praised the crew as great and knowledgeable about sea life generally.

Common issues. The trip is not wheelchair accessible and the operator advises against it for babies or anyone with serious heart or other medical conditions. It requires a minimum number of travellers, and if that minimum is not met the operator offers a different date, a different experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also cancel the sail, with the same rebook-or-refund outcome. Beyond the booking price, the port tax and conservation fee are paid on-site, and no transport to the marina is provided. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 09:00 start get no refund.

Common Questions