When:

• Birding, anytime.
• Dolphins, April through December
• Whales, mid December through end of March

All birding tours depart from Puerto Vallarta at sunrise (the actual time depends on the season), returning at around 12:30 in the afternoon. We have several easy-to-get-to points of departure, depending on the type of tour and on your hotel's location, so we'll need to arrange this at the proper time.

Whale- and Dolphin-watching tours depart every day from "Los Peines" pier in Puerto Vallarta at 9:00 AM, returning to the same location at approximately 1:30 pm.  The entrance to the pier is located next to Isla Iguana Condominiums, between Marina Vallarta and the El Salado estuary bridge.

Minimum/Maximum Guests: Minimum 4, maximum 8

Length of Stay: arrangements made on a day-by-day basis

Fee charged: For the birding tours, $39 US per person is charged, for whale and dolphin watching, it is $75 US per person (children under 13, $50). Note that for the whale and dolphin boating tours (8 passengers maximum) members of other parties may be present on the tour, unless you arrange a private tour beforehand.

Travelers with Special Needs: I Normally take the public bus to our birding areas. However, I can always rent a van for hadicapped if needed. In this case my fees will remain the same but I will have to charge for the cost of the van and I cannot give you a cost right now because the rates fluctuate depending on the demand. In the winter which is our high season a van may cost up to $100 for the day and in the slow season about $80.

Birding Tour Notes:

• Coastal and marshland bird tour: Recommended for the beginner bird watcher, this tour goes to coastal ponds where you can see night herons, egrets, avocets, sandpipers, kingfishers, and many other species.
  
• Mountain slope bird tour: In this tour we go to the mountains on the south side of the bay where we find warblers, seedeaters, woodpeckers, flycatchers, grossbeaks, coockoos, and the list just goes on and on!

Both tours include:

• A bilingual guide
• Field reference guides.
• Bird check-lists.
• Public bus transportation.

During Whale- and Dolphin-watching cruises the following is included:

• A bilingual guide (English-Spanish).
• An explanation about cetacean evolution, characteristics, and behaviour (that's a whale flipper at the right... ).
• Fruit and juice breakfast and a light lunch on board. (Should you have any special meal requirements, please let us know in advance.
• Soft drinks and water.
• Use of life jackets

Dolphins in Puerto Vallarta

The waters of Banderas Bay are home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins - famous for their appearances in movies, TV, and water parks - are the most common in Puerto Vallarta, although other species such as the spotted and spinner dolphin can also be found.

Watch them play or feed while you learn about the secret life of these intelligent creatures. Swim near them (if conditions allow) and see other marine species.

Humpback Whales

Puerto Vallarta is located on Banderas Bay. Every year, during the winter  months (December to March), a large number of Humpback Whales comes to this bay to give birth, nurse their calves, and mate, giving us the opportunity to see these beautiful giants in their own environment.