Banderas Bay is the largest natural bay in Mexico. Every December, hundreds of humpback whales swim 4,000+ miles from Alaska to give birth here. Then they let us watch.
When they're here
Mid-December to late March. The official season our boats run is December 8 to March 23, but we usually see scout whales by December 1 and stragglers into early April.
- Dec 1–15 — first arrivals. Mostly males scouting, some pregnant females.
- Dec 15 – Jan 15 — newborns appear. Mom-and-calf pairs are the highlight.
- Jan 15 – Feb 28 — peak. Heat runs (males chasing females), breaches, tail slaps, bubble-net feeding.
- March — calves growing fast, ready for the migration north. Last good month for active behavior.
What you'll likely see
On a 3-hour tour during peak season we typically see 4–8 different whales, often very close. Behaviors include:
- Spouts and surface breathing — guaranteed every trip.
- Tail flukes — the iconic "diving" shot. Easy photo on most tours.
- Pectoral fin slaps — common during heat runs.
- Breaches (full-body jumps) — magical when they happen, never guaranteed.
- Calves nursing or training — the most touching sight in the bay.
Bonus: every PV Fun whale tour carries a hydrophone. When the captain drops it in, the boat goes silent and you hear the male songs underwater. Every guest's face does the same thing.
How we run it
Mexican federal law (NOM-131) sets the rules and we follow them strictly:
- Maximum boats per whale group: 4
- Minimum distance: 60 meters (200ft)
- No chasing. Engines off when whales approach.
- Maximum 30 minutes with any single whale group.
This is why our boats stay smaller than commercial mass-tour operators. Smaller groups, longer time, no hassling the animals.
Best tour for you
| If you want… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Maximum whale time, smallest group | Photography Whale Tour (5 hrs) |
| Standard great experience | Half-Day Whale Watch (4 hrs) |
| Whales and something else | Whales + Snorkel Combo (6 hrs) |
| Magical light, fewer crowds | Sunset Whale Watch (3 hrs) |
What to bring
- Windbreaker or light jacket — even on warm PV days, the wind on the bay bites.
- Sunglasses (polarized helps spot whales).
- Real sunscreen, not coral-killer chemical stuff.
- Camera with zoom — your phone will get spouts and tails fine, but breaches need 200mm+.
- Light snack — most tours have water and beer, but no real food.
FAQ
Will I get seasick? The bay is sheltered. Mornings are calmest. If you're prone, take Bonine the night before and the morning of.
Can kids come? Yes, our tours accept ages 6+. Younger may not enjoy the wait time between sightings.
What's the chance of not seeing whales? During peak season (Jan–Feb), under 2%. December and March: ~10%. We offer a free repeat trip if you don't see whales.
Ready? See our whale watching tours.