Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Whale watching tour

Outty Ranking 48 5.0 · 12 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $452

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$452
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Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Whale watching tour worth booking?

Whale watching tour is a 3-hour experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from $452 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 12 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
5/5 (12)
Duration
3 hours
From
$452 per person

Meet the world’s largest creature the Humpback Whales. Reaching between 40 and 50 feet in length, a humpback whale can weigh up to 48 tons. Get a close, intimate and personalized experience within 30 meters Known for t

What you get

    About this experience

    Meet the world’s largest creature the Humpback Whales. Reaching between 40 and 50 feet in length, a humpback whale can weigh up to 48 tons. Get a close, intimate and personalized experience within 30 meters Known for their complex mating songs, you may enjoy a song or two.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water

    Not included

    • On-board restrooms
    • Private transportation
    • Gratuities
    • anding and/or facility fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Puerto Vallarta

      On this private whale watching tour we set sail heading out into Bandersbay in search for the famous Humpback whales that keep coming back to visit every year during the months of December through March. Our focus is on comfort, unique experiences and personal service while making sure the environment is protected and respected in every way possible.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Puerto Vallarta

    Please pay entrance fee $41 pesos per person or $2.00 USD and walk down to the pier. Boat name: La Vida Bella

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Please pay entrance fee $41 pesos per person or $2.00 USD and walk down to the pier. Boat name: La Vida Bella

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    La Vida Bella Private Boat Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, photo 2Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, photo 3Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, photo 4Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, photo 5Whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    4 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Small groups

    4 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Good for families

    3 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    12 verified traveler reviews for Whale watching tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    12
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    wenzmur · April 2022

    FAR EXCEEDED my expectations

    Oh my goodness! I requested a sunset tour and Fernando and Mitscon (sorry if I misspelled) were willing to accommodate me. I was the only one and felt like queen for a day. The day FAR exceeded my expectations. Every part of it was perfect. Anything I wanted/needed was provided. They took all my pictures and made sure I had the best views. Their passion and knowledge about the area was amazing. Drinks were excellent, too. Fernando and his sailor were kind, fun, and very attentive. I WILL go on another tour with them. THANKS SO MUCH Little suggestion: Maybe have vegis/fruit to go with the FANTASTIC Fernando guacamole and chips.

    via Tripadvisor

    YoungFamTraveler · December 2021

    Wonderful whale/dolphin watching and snorkeling

    Our family (8 of us including an infant) did a great private tour in December 2021. We had the best whale/dolphin watching experience we've ever had. It was amazing seeing the humpback whales and dolphins in action. We also did some good snorkeling at Los Arcos. The crew was very accommodating and tailored the tour to our specific areas of interested.

    via Tripadvisor

    J2003DUscottd · March 2021

    Whales!!!

    My wife and I met Fernando in 2003 while staying at the Westin. I have been on over 20 trips with him and they all have been amazing! He has always taken such great care of my entire family and friends. If you want a special day in PV, this is a must!!!

    via Tripadvisor

    156rachelp · March 2021

    Throughly recommend this whale watching tour

    Throughly enjoyed this boat trip to watch the whales in puerto vallarta. Boat is clean. Crew pay attention to the detail. Guacamole was delicious. Taking a private boat was such a good idea. No concerns regarding COVID and large groups. We could change our schedule to suit us. More personalized. The whales came out and we even saw breaching. COVID safe crew. I felt comfortable. Looking forward to our next trip.

    via Tripadvisor

    johnpV4713TS · March 2021

    Best Tour

    This was amazing. Captain Fernando was right in there getting us the prime view of all the whales. They had drinks and guacamole, included in the price. I highly recommend this boat and crew. Going to use him when we go fishing.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)36
    Booking momentum (14% weight)27
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)64
    Local standing (8% weight)65
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Whale watching tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Puerto Vallarta.

    How much does Whale watching tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $452 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 Whale watching tour take?

    +

    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 Whale watching tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Puerto Vallarta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Whale watching tour?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Whale watching tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Whale watching tour?

    +

    Around 4 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?

    +

    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 Whale watching tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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