Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

Whales make breakfast taste better. This Puerto Vallarta cruise pairs humpback watching with coffee, fruit, bread, granola, sandwiches, and an open bar, giving you a full half-day on Banderas Bay rather than a quick wildlife run. I like the friendly bilingual crew and the marine biologist’s explanations. I also like that the captain keeps searching when sightings are slow. The main concern is timing: the tour is sold as about 4 hours 30 minutes, but some departures have spent a long time waiting before boarding and delivered closer to 2 hours 45 minutes on the water.

I also like the chance to see dolphins, mothers with calves, sea lions, and whales from the same boat. The $78.48 price can be good value when you see several whales and make full use of the breakfast, lunch, drinks, and marine commentary. Still, you should confirm the port fee, departure gate, and actual boat size before paying, since those details have not always matched the published information.

Key points to know before you go

• Whale sightings are often the highlight: Humpbacks may surface, blow, show their tails, breach, or appear with calves, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
• Breakfast, lunch, and a national open bar are included: Expect coffee, fruit, bread, granola, chips, croissants, sandwiches, soft drinks, beer, tequila, rum, vodka, brandy, juice, and water.
• The schedule needs careful checking: The stated duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes, but some departures have had delayed boarding and shorter time on the water.
• The boat description is inconsistent: The experience is advertised for a maximum of 40 people, while some departures have used a much larger double-decker boat carrying well over 100.
• You must budget for the dock tax: The supplied amount is MX$32 per person, though some people were quoted MX$35. It may be cash-only.
• Motion sickness is a real possibility: Several hours on open water can mean a rough ride, especially when the boat slows or waits near whale activity.

Leaving from Puerto Vallarta’s cruise terminal

The meeting point is H. Escuela Naval Militar 11, Área Militar de Vallarta, 48333 Puerto Vallarta. The activity returns to this same meeting point, and the location is especially useful if you are arriving by cruise ship. Vallarta by Boat operates from the cruise terminal area, so you do not need a separate city transfer to reach the departure point.

The practical challenge is finding the correct office, gate, and queue. Some departures have used Gate 5 even though Gate 9 appeared in the directions. You first need to check in at the Vallarta by Boat storefront, receive a boarding pass, and then go through port security.

Give yourself plenty of time. A morning departure listed as starting at 8:30 or 9:00 has sometimes involved waiting in a holding area until around 9:30 before an escort led the group to the boat. An afternoon booking at 12:30 has also involved a wait before security and another half-hour before sailing.

I would arrive early, find the storefront first, and ask three direct questions:

• Which gate is being used today?
• Where do I pay the dock tax?
• What time will the boat actually leave?

The dock tax is not included. The stated fee is MX$32 per person, but some people were told MX$35. One cruise passenger was told the charge did not apply to cruise passengers, so your status may affect the answer. Do not assume the fee is covered. Carry Mexican pesos and settle the matter before you reach the security line.

Breakfast first, whales later

The cruise begins with a continental breakfast. Coffee, fruit, bread, granola, and similar light items are listed, making this useful if you have an early start and do not want to eat before reaching the terminal.

Lunch is served later and may include a croissant, sandwich, or similar item. Reports describe a ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, and a salad. The food sounds simple, but it is welcome after several hours in the sun and on moving water.

Do not expect a full restaurant meal. The menu is casual and limited, and one vegetarian request was not handled willingly. If you do not eat meat, ask about the available food before boarding and consider buying an extra snack at the port.

Chips and fruit are listed among the inclusions, but they have not always appeared. Because the lunch may come late in the outing, I would eat a proper breakfast beforehand if you get hungry easily. Buying snacks at the terminal is a sensible backup.

The bar is one of the stronger value points. The national open bar includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. Mango tequila drinks and margaritas have received particular praise, and the crew is often attentive about keeping drinks available.

Use some restraint early in the trip. Alcohol, heat, glare, and a rolling boat are a poor combination, especially if you are prone to seasickness. Water and juice are included, and they should be part of your plan even if the open bar is a major reason you booked.

Finding humpbacks in Banderas Bay

The main purpose is humpback whale watching. The crew and captain search for active areas, and the marine biologist provides information about whale behavior and their importance to Mexico. The guide works in Spanish and English, which makes the trip easier for mixed-language groups.

You may see a whale surface to breathe, blow water, lift its tail, splash, or leap clear of the sea. A few accounts describe close encounters, including a mother and calf remaining near the boat and a whale appearing beside the vessel. One outing included a full breach, but that kind of moment is luck, not a promise.

More often, you will see fins, backs, tails, blows, and brief movements at a distance. Other boats may gather around the same animals, and people standing or moving to one side can block your view. The best approach is to watch the water around you, not just the spot where someone points.

The captain may move between several areas when whales are quiet. That persistence is valuable, since sightings can vary from day to day. It also creates the biggest drawback: you may spend a long time riding over waves while waiting for the next appearance.

The trip does not guarantee a particular number of whales. Some outings have produced many sightings, including mothers and calves. Others have seen only a few whales, though the crew continued searching. If you need a guaranteed wildlife show, no ocean cruise can provide it. If you enjoy the suspense of scanning the water, the uncertainty is part of the appeal.

Dolphin sightings and other sea life

Dolphin watching is included, but the number of dolphins varies sharply. Some outings have found many dolphins. Others saw only one, none, or a very short encounter while returning to port.

That difference matters if dolphins are your main reason for booking. The name promises both species, but humpback whales are the more reliable focus during the season represented in the supplied experiences. Treat dolphins as an added possibility, not an equal guarantee.

You might also see other marine life. Sightings have included sea lions and smaller sea animals, and one crew even tried to assist an injured sea lion. The boat also offers broad views of Puerto Vallarta from the water, giving you a different look at the bay and shoreline.

A hydrophone is included in the stated features. It is meant to let you listen beneath the surface, but it has not always been offered. I would regard it as a bonus rather than a central part of the trip.

The boat, seating, and comfort

The boat description needs the most scrutiny. The experience is listed with a maximum of 40 people, yet several departures have used a large double-decker catamaran with capacity well above 100. Other reports describe a boat that did not feel overcrowded.

That is not a minor difference. A smaller boat can feel more personal and make it easier to move from one side to the other when a whale surfaces. A large boat provides more room, but popular viewing spots can fill quickly, and a crowd may rush to one rail.

Get in line early if you want a better seat. Stay seated when possible, and do not lean over the edge when the boat is moving. One report described unsecured seats and people nearly falling forward when the vessel hit larger waves. The crew is generally described as careful, friendly, and funny, but rough water still demands attention.

The upper deck may offer a wider view, while a lower position can provide more shelter from sun and wind. The exact layout can change with the vessel used that day, so do not build your plans around a particular seat or deck.

Rough water and motion sickness

Banderas Bay can be calm, but it can also roll and bounce. The boat may travel farther offshore or slow down repeatedly while the captain looks for whales. That waiting motion is harder on the stomach than steady travel.

At least several people on one outing became seasick. If you know you have motion sickness, take your preferred medication before boarding, according to your doctor’s instructions. Eat lightly, drink water, and choose a place with a clear view of the horizon if the crew permits it.

This is not the best choice for someone who needs a smooth, quiet boat ride. It is a better fit for someone who accepts some discomfort in exchange for a chance to see wild whales. Families can enjoy it, but the long duration and movement may be tiring for young children.

Timing problems and the real length of the outing

The official duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. That figure appears to include the full activity window, but actual time on the boat has not always matched it.

Some morning departures have waited an hour before being escorted to the vessel. One reported outing lasted about 2 hours 45 minutes from the stated start time to return. Another person felt the boat spent too little time on dolphins because it was eager to return to port.

This does not mean every departure will be short. Other outings have felt like a full half-day and included extended whale searches, food, drinks, and sightseeing. Still, you should not book a tight connection immediately afterward.

Cruise passengers need extra care. The port is close to the meeting point, but check-in, the dock fee, security, boarding, and the return walk all take time. Leave a generous cushion before your ship’s all-aboard time.

What the $78.48 price buys you

At $78.48 per person, the value depends on three things: how many hours you actually spend on the water, how much wildlife you see, and whether you use the included food and drinks.

For a successful outing with several whales, dolphins, bilingual guiding, breakfast, lunch, and an open bar, the price is reasonable. You are paying not only for transport but also for the crew’s search effort, the marine biologist, and the convenience of having meals and drinks handled onboard.

The value drops if the boat leaves late, returns early, serves only one small food item, or carries far more people than expected. A shorter whale trip may offer much of the same wildlife experience for less money.

I would book this for the all-inclusive setup, not simply for the word dolphin in the title. The strongest praise goes to the crew, the whale expert, the captain’s persistence, and the relaxed time on the bay when the schedule works properly.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and cruise passengers who want a social day on the water with food and drinks included. It also suits anyone who prefers a bilingual nature outing rather than an informal boat ride with little explanation.

You are a good match if you can handle sun, waves, waiting, and uncertain wildlife sightings. The trip rewards patience. A mother and calf, a breach, or a whale appearing beside the boat can make the whole morning worthwhile.

I would hesitate if you require a small boat, a precise four-and-a-half-hour schedule, vegetarian meal flexibility, or a quiet ride. I would also hesitate if dolphins are your only target, since sightings can be brief or absent.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a friendly, all-inclusive whale outing and can stay flexible about timing, boat size, and wildlife. The crew receives the warmest praise, and the strongest days offer several humpbacks, dolphins, excellent bay views, breakfast, lunch, and an open bar for $78.48.

Before booking, confirm the actual vessel, passenger count, departure gate, port tax, and expected boarding time. If those details are clear and you are prepared for a rolling ride, this can be a memorable Puerto Vallarta experience. If you want a tightly timed, small-boat expedition, choose a different tour.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin cruise?

The stated duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. Actual departures have varied, with some including long waits before boarding and one reported outing lasting about 2 hours 45 minutes from the listed start time to return.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at H. Escuela Naval Militar 11, Área Militar de Vallarta, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Ground transportation is not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

Is food included?

Yes. A continental breakfast is included, with items such as coffee, fruit, bread, and granola. Lunch may include a croissant, sandwich, or similar item. Chips and fruit are also listed, though they have not appeared on every departure.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The national open bar includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water.

Is the dock tax included in the price?

No. The listed dock tax is MX$32 per person. Some departures have quoted MX$35, and the fee may be cash-only, so confirm the current amount before boarding.

Will I definitely see whales and dolphins?

No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. Humpback whales are commonly seen on successful outings, while dolphin sightings range from several animals to none. The captain and crew search for active areas throughout the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.