Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta

4.9 (702 reviews)4 hPuerto VallartaWildlife & natureFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 1:00 pm, 3 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 2 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 4 h. Latest sensible start: 11:10 am.
  4. 12:40 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 1:00 pm
    Back at the gangway3 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 4 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 1:00 pm — 2 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 2:00 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 about average in length (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

Wildlife Connection offers you the opportunity to visit these fabulous animals in their natural environment and to participate in a research project that helps us understand and protect our dolphins here in Puerto Vallarta. Our guides are professional biologists who will share with you their knowledge, making this excursion a once-in-a-lifetime experience! This is the NATURAL WAY to observe and enjoy them.

THESE GENTLE GIANTS DESERVE OUR RESPECT!!!.

Max 20 per group English, Spanish

What's included

  • Granola Bars
  • Bottled water
  • NO alcohol beverages
  • Baguette sandwich (turkey, vegables and cheese). Only by request : Vegetarian, vegan or special food option requesting by message, email or phone call minimum 24hr previous tour

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
OPEQUIMAR is located across the street from Westin Resort in Marina Vallarta. At security gate tell them you are going for whales so they will let you in. Inside look for our sign with a whale and dolphin. We receive at the Azzul Marino Restaurant. Pleaes be 10-15 min prior tour
OPEQUIMAR is located across the street from Westin Resort in Marina Vallarta. At security gate tell them you are going for whales so they will let you in. Inside look for our sign with a whale and dolphin. We receive at the Azzul Marino Restaurant. Pleaes be 10-15 min prior tour
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.
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • No es recomendable para personas de mas de 7 meses de embarazo

Traveler reviews

4.9
702 traveler reviews
5
92%
4
5%
3
1%
2
1%
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Read all 702 reviews

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

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