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Local Bay Tours

Whale watching in Banderas Bay

December to March, when 1,500+ humpbacks come home to calve.

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Banderas Bay is a humpback nursery. Every winter, whales that spent the summer feeding off Alaska travel more than 6,000 km to give birth in this warm, deep, sheltered bay — one of the highest-density calving grounds in the eastern Pacific. Between December and March, sightings on our tours run above 95 %.

Season

The season, week by week

December — the first arrivals

Mothers and the first singing males arrive. Fewer boats on the water; sightings are good but less dense.

January — calving peak

Newborn calves appear. The bay is at its fullest and surface activity is constant.

February — the best month

Peak density, active calves learning to breach, and competitive male groups. If you can choose, choose February.

March — the long goodbye

Calves are strong and playful, adults begin heading north. Excellent behaviour, slightly fewer animals.

NOM-131-SEMARNAT

How we do it responsibly

Mexican federal law (NOM-131-SEMARNAT) governs whale watching in Banderas Bay. Every boat we work with carries a SEMARNAT permit and a certified guide.

  • Minimum 60 m from any adult, 80 m from a mother with a calf
  • Never more than one boat inside the observation zone at a time
  • No swimming with, feeding or pursuing the animals — ever
  • Engines idle when whales approach us; the whale decides the distance
  • Maximum 30 minutes with any one group, then we move on

Listen to them

Male humpbacks sing here and our research-partner boats carry hydrophones. Hearing an eight-minute song through the hull is, for most guests, the moment of the trip.

Local Bay Tours

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The Marietas Islands

A protected national park — and the most misunderstood tour in Vallarta.

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