Whale Encounter Puerto Vallarta

4.9 (530 reviews)3 hPuerto VallartaWildlife & natureFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 12:00 pm, 4 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 3 h 30 min to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (20 min)Safety margin (1 h)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship docks in Puerto Vallarta20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
  2. 8:20 am
    Leave the pierAbout 20 min to the start point
  3. 8:40 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 3 h. Latest sensible start: 12:10 pm.
  4. 11:40 am
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 12:00 pm
    Back at the gangway4 h 30 min before all aboard
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Puerto Vallarta call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 3 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 12:00 pm — 3 h 30 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 1:00 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 20 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in Puerto Vallarta. Check the meeting point on the booking page.

Among the 400 Puerto Vallarta shore excursions we track, this is one of the shorter ones (the median runs 4 h); 86% of them fit a typical call.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Puerto Vallarta call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

We have the whale whisperer, one of the best marine mammals specialist in Mexico, he personally guide this tour and make it unique.

Max 10 per group English, French, Spanish

What's included

  • Use of hydrophone
  • Whales goverment permits
  • We have granola bars, some fruit, juice and drinking water on board.
  • Whales conservancy wrist bands donation.
  • Life Vest

Not included

  • Breakfast
  • According the whales legislation, we can not provide alcohol on the boat.
  • Gratuities
  • Port Fee

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Bay of Banderas
    You´ll be taken by an expert on Marine Mamals and get involve in a totally diferent adventure full of adrenaline and action, right in the midle of the wild whales, check out how the males compete for the females and how the moms care about the calves. 3 hours in a totally shade and fast boat equiped with sound to hear them to sing. You´ll learn by a bilangüal tour guide, and be able to participate on photo id and research projects to protect the whales.
    Pass by without stopping

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
We are located at Marina Vallarta, at just 5 minutes from airport, 2 blocks away from the Whale statue.
We are located at Marina Vallarta, at just 5 minutes from airport, 2 blocks away from the Whale statue.
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please consider that all our guests must show an ID, f you do not present it at the time of check in you will not be allowed to board the boat.
  • Toddlers ar not allowed on public tour, only private tours.

Traveler reviews

4.9
530 traveler reviews
5
97%
4
2%
3
0%
2
0%
1
1%

Read all 530 reviews

Operated by Eco Explorer Vallarta. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

More Puerto Vallarta tours that fit a typical call

Back with at least an hour to spare on a 8:00 am–4:30 pm call.

All tours
from $99Check dates & book