Every winter, humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers from Alaska to Banderas Bay to mate and give birth to their calves in warm waters. It's one of Mexico's most impressive natural spectacles, and it happens right off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
When the season happens
The official season runs from December to March, peaking between mid-January and late February, when there are the most calves in the bay. The first sightings begin in December, and by March the whales head back north.
Where to see them from land, no tour needed
You don't always need to get on a boat. From the Playa Los Muertos pier, the Malecón, and any high terrace in the Zona Romántica, you can spot blows and breaches in the distance, especially in the morning when the sea is calmer. Amaca's rooftop is a comfortable spot to try your luck, coffee in hand.
How to choose a responsible tour
If you want to see them up close, look for operators with a permit from the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente, small groups, and a marine biologist guide on board. A responsible tour keeps its distance, cuts the engine when the animals approach, and never chases a mother with a calf. Tours leave from the Los Muertos pier and the marina, usually in the morning.
What to bring
A cap, biodegradable sunscreen, a light sweater for the wind on the water, water, and binoculars if you have them. For photos, your phone is enough for close breaches, but a moderate zoom lens helps a lot. If you get seasick, take the pill before boarding, not once you're already out.
Pair it with the southern beaches
Many trips to Quimixto, Las Ánimas, or Yelapa cross the bay during peak season, so it's common to see whales on the way to the beach. It's the best way to fit two experiences into a single day.
Read the guide to the beaches you can only reach by sea
Where to stay
Amaca Petit Hotel is a four-minute walk from Playa Los Muertos, where most tours depart. It's a small, adults-only hotel with a rooftop, pool, and bar to end the day watching the sunset over the same bay you explored that morning.
Come for whale season
Book your winter stay in the Zona Romántica direct and wake up steps from the sea.