From November, Humpback whales make an incredible journey from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm, sheltered waters of Banderas Bay to procreate and raise their young. This annual migration is a spectacular sight, and it gives visitors a unique opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
This year, the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales has officially announced that the whale watching season on Banderas Bay will begin on December 8, 2023, and continue until March 23, 2024. During this time, numerous tour operators offer whale watching excursions, taking passengers out into the bay to search for these gentle giants.
When choosing a whale watching tour, it is important to make sure that the vessel is authorized to operate in the bay by the Environment and Wildlife Secretariat (SEMARNAT). Authorized vessels will have a copy of their permit on board and will fly the whale watching flag. On these boats, crew members have been trained to offer participants the best possible experience without affecting the whales in their natural habitat.
Tours leave daily from Puerto Vallarta’s different piers accesses, some operators have departures in the morning and others in the afternoon. One can choose from special boats designed specifically for whale observation, a variety of smaller boats, or the larger tour boats that also provide food and beverages.
Whale watching expeditions typically last between 2-4 hours. During this time, passengers will have the opportunity to see, and photograph, the whales breaching, spy hopping, and engaging in other behaviors. It is an unforgettable experience that is sure to create lasting memories.
So, if you are planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta this winter, be sure to make time for a whale watching excursion. It is an experience that you will not soon forget.
Additional tips for whale watching:
Dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly at sea.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Keep a camera or binoculars handy to capture the whales’ amazing behavior.
Follow the instructions of your tour guide and respect the whales’ natural habitat.Expert biologists will lead you through the marvelous world of humpback whales aboard our specially designed authorized boat for whale watching. Before launching in this adventure we’ll provide you with a lecture about these magnificent creatures. Once in the water, we’ll discuss the humpbacks’ behavior, while we see them breach, slap their tails, travel, play or fight. You may also listen to their intriguing songs You can participate in our research project.
The head researcher of the Banderas Bay Photo identification Project might be leading your trip! If you like personal and professional attention and want a close encounter with our earth’s mightiest creatures, this is the tour for you!! …It is not to be missed!
It begins on land with an informational briefing and continues on board with 4 and a half hours of pure whale watching delight!
Some tour includes Bilingual Marine Oceanologists and Naturalists as your guides, Self inflatable life vests designed not to restrict mobility, didactic material, hydrophone and speaker system to listen the whales vocalizations, lunch, purified water and soft drinks.
This spectacular journey covers an attempt to observe a wider variety of open water species such as Humpback whales, Oceanic dolphins, Bryde’s whales, Giant mantas, Sea turtles, occasionally False killer whales and even Orcas.
The Open Water Whale Watching Tour is also a bird lovers delight where we can observe a variety of pelagic bird species in the open ocean such as Terns, Brown and Blue Footed Booby birds, Pelicans, Frigate birds, Sea gulls and occasionally Red-billed Tropic birds.
You may contact any of the bellow Whale Watching Tour Operators for information on schedule, reservations, departure locations.
www.oceanfriendly.com
www.ecotoursvallarta.com
www.vallarta-adventures.com
www.whalewatchersvallarta.com
www.mikes-charters.com
www.vallartawhales.com
www.losveranoscanopy.com
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