Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Cruise: Humpback Whales & Meals

Banderas Bay in winter: humpbacks leaping, two full meals, an open bar, and four hours on the water

A whale watching cruise in Puerto Vallarta operates across Banderas Bay on a large, stable double-decker catamaran during humpback season. You board from either Nuevo Vallarta (8:30 AM) or Puerto Vallarta (9:20 AM), watch whales interact in their natural habitat from open-air viewing decks, and receive a full breakfast before 10 AM, a buffet lunch, and unlimited drinks throughout the four-hour tour. A live guide narrates in English or Spanish, and the boat accommodates up to 120 travelers with room for professional wildlife photography.

The experience

Banderas Bay fills with humpback whales between December and April, and this tour positions you on a double-decker catamaran built for stability and sightlines. The boat leaves from either Nuevo Vallarta at 8:30 AM or Puerto Vallarta at 9:20 AM (pick whichever departure suits your hotel location), and heads into open water where the whales breach and tail-slap. The catamaran's size means the motion stays manageable even in rougher conditions, and the open-air decks give you room to move around and frame shots without fighting for space.

Breakfast arrives before 10 AM: hot pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, bread, coffee, milk, orange juice, jam and maple honey. Later in the cruise, the crew serves a full lunch buffet with vegan ceviche, ham and cheese paninis, traditional marlin burritos and tortilla chips. An international open bar runs the entire four hours, so you order drinks whenever you want: beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, juice. The live guide provides commentary in English or Spanish, pointing out whale behavior and answering questions as the day unfolds.

The boat holds up to 120 travelers, which means you are not on a small group tour, but the double-decker design spreads people across multiple viewing areas. If you are serious about wildlife photography, the open-air zones give you the angle and the light. Infants can ride in a stroller or pram, and service animals are welcome. The four-hour window is tight enough that the whole experience stays focused on the whales without padding the day with extra stops.

What’s included

• Continental breakfast with hot pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, bread and coffee.
• buffet lunch featuring vegan ceviche, paninis, marlin burritos and chips.
• unlimited international alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served throughout the cruise.
• live guide commentary in English or Spanish.
• access to open-air viewing decks on a double-decker catamaran.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure point: Nuevo VallartaGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 8 Dec · 08:30Leaves at exactly 8:30 AM from the Paradise Village Public Pier. Please arrive 20 minutes beforehand!

Departure point: Puerto VallartaGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 8 Dec · 09:20Leaves at exactly 9:20 AM from Puerto Mágico (API Terminal). Please arrive 20 minutes beforehand!

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Thursday and SundayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:20Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 120

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mike's Fishing & Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Nuevo Vallarta departure if your hotel is on the north side of the bay and an 8:30 AM start works with your schedule. Pick Puerto Vallarta if you are staying downtown and prefer a 9:20 AM boarding. The all-inclusive meals and open bar mean you do not need to budget separately for food and drinks, and the four-hour window keeps the day tight around the whales without extra stops or downtime.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the whale watching cruise leave from Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta?

The cruise departs Nuevo Vallarta at 8:30 AM or Puerto Vallarta at 9:20 AM. Confirm your chosen departure location immediately after booking so you arrive at the correct dock on time.

What do humpback whales do in Banderas Bay during the winter season?

Humpback whales migrate to Banderas Bay between December and April to breed and give birth. During the tour, you watch them breach, leap out of the water, and perform tail-slaps as they interact in their natural habitat.

What meals and drinks are included on the cruise?

The tour includes a full Continental breakfast served before 10 AM with hot pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, bread, coffee, milk, orange juice, jam and maple honey; a buffet lunch with vegan ceviche, ham and cheese paninis, marlin burritos and tortilla chips; and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the four-hour cruise.

Can I take professional photographs of the whales from the boat?

Yes. The double-decker catamaran features open-air viewing zones specifically designed for wildlife photography, giving you clear sightlines and room to position yourself without obstruction.

How many people travel on this whale watching cruise?

The catamaran accommodates up to 120 travelers. The double-decker layout spreads passengers across multiple viewing areas, so you have access to open-air decks without crowding everyone into one space.