3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.5/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta worth booking?
3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta is a 3-hour experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from $55 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 3.5/5 (17)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $55 per person
Puerto Vallarta has a large bay where these beautiful mammals come to visit every year, which come to give birth to their babies and mate. We have been dedicating ourselves to whale watching for years, we would like to b
What you get
About this experience
Puerto Vallarta has a large bay where these beautiful mammals come to visit every year, which come to give birth to their babies and mate. We have been dedicating ourselves to whale watching for years, we would like to be able to show you an extraordinary experience, come and enjoy in company. Of your family.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Whale Guide
- Lifevest
Not included
- Port tax $39 pesos if you come on the cruise ship pay no tax
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Puerto Vallarta
You will have to pass the combs booth, and follow the entire street straight and on the right there will be the combs lobby, where we will find ourselves
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You will have to pass the combs booth, and follow the entire street straight and on the right there will be the combs lobby, where we will find ourselves
Options you can book
3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta
Snorkeling
Whales and snorkeling : We go and make the sighting followed by a visit to some islands Duration: 3 hours The arches of mismaloya : On these islands we carry out snorkeling water activities and roast a walk around the islands Panga: We wear shade benches with comfortable mattresses and snorkeling equipment
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Vallarta
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
No English spoken when English booked
We booked a 3 hour trip that lasted less than 2 hours. In addition we booked an English spoken trip and the captain spoke no English in fact he spoke very little
via Tripadvisor
Great trip that almost wasn’t because of Tripadvisor
The trip once we got on the boat was fine however TripAdvisor did not send me my tickets until 15 minutes after we were supposed to be on the boat so I was panicked I didn’t see where they emailed any tickets which they did not they texted them and it was after the time that we were supposed to be there so therefore there’s nothing wrong with the trip the people were fine they didn’t speak English but we still were able to see whales dolphins seals pelicans and go to a nice beach so please don’t hold anything against the people running the trip it’s only TripAdvisor that I’m condemning.
via Tripadvisor
Definitely not what was advertised!!
Not what was promised. Mostly snorkeling, which I was not interested or expected. English was never spoken, so I could not ask any questions. The last half hour only was devoted to any whale watching. We saw one whale very briefly. I would not recommend this trip to anyone! Not worth the money!
via Tripadvisor
Bait and switch
Honestly I hate leaving bad reviews, but this was the worst, most non-inclusive tour I have ever been on. To start with the map location they sent us took us to an entirely different location than where we needed to be. No big deal, I called the tour operator and she explained where to go. Upon arrival, there were no signs that had the tour companies name and no building to go into- confused again, I called. Annoyed, she hastily said I see you, you’re in the right spot, “click”. We are not Spanish speakers, but nothing on the tour said that we needed to be and most companies in the area are accommodating to that. However from this point forward she only addressed the Spanish speakers in the group, offering them Dramamine and water and ignoring us. Then once they called our boat, she directed us to the pier and then disappeared, never to be seen again. We hopped on the boat everyone else was with a captain and two other guides. No one acknowledged us or explained anything in English, yet again. First we wasted 30 minutes of our trip by stopping at a convenience store for beer for the captain and for the locals to grab snacks. When it was clearly stated on our itinerary that we needed to come prepared. After that, we stopped by 2 random boats and dropped off what we thought were our guides, but turned out to be just needing a ride… So now, we just have the captain, who we heard speak English and who knew we couldnt understand him, to take us on our whale watching tour. He didn't tell us anything about the area, the whales, interesting facts, etc. we saw one whale, which we followed for 20 minutes or so, and then he offered the locals to go snorkeling (didn’t ask us again). The issue is we paid specifically for the 3 hour tour that DID NOT include snorkeling so that we had more chances to see whales. But we had no choice in our entire day and were just treated as if it were annoying that we were on the trip, even though we paid for a guided whale watching tour. I’ve never felt so looked down on by a tour company anywhere I have traveled in the world. I do try to learn the language wherever I go, but when you pay for a tour, you should be able to understand what’s going on and not be ignored.
via Tripadvisor
Ok experience
Ok but no guide to explain about the whales. Also stayed so far away from the whales as the other boats were so much closer. Just a little disappointed. This is my 3rd time whale watching I would consider using a different company.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $55 to $58
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Puerto Vallarta.
How much does 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta cost?
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Prices start at $55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Puerto Vallarta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Puerto Vallarta is not rushed.
Is 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Puerto Vallarta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Puerto Vallarta can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Puerto Vallarta and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 3 Hours of Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Puerto Vallarta within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta?
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On Outty we rank every Puerto Vallarta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours, Signature Taco Tour in PV with Vallarta Eats, Food & Mixology Tour:Tequila,Tacos, Mezcal and Agave Cocktails. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Puerto Vallarta?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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