Every year from December through March, the best private whale watching sailboat tours in Puerto Vallarta head out onto Banderas Bay as humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Banderas Bay to breed, give birth, and nurse their calves. Puerto Vallarta sits at the heart of this migration, one of the best whale watching destinations in the world.
What makes a sailboat the ideal vessel for whale watching is simple: silence. Unlike motorboats, a sailboat moves through the water under wind power, quieter, slower, and far less disruptive to the whales. They approach closer, stay longer, and behave more naturally around a sailing vessel.
And with our resident marine biologist on board, you won’t just see whales. You’ll understand them.
What’s Included
Resident marine biologist
Wind-powered sailboat
Snorkel equipment & paddleboard
Food & refreshments
Departure from Marina Vallarta
100% private
Our Marine Biologist, What Makes Anamar Different
Most whale watching tours offer a boat, a captain, and a view. Anamar offers something that very few operators anywhere in Mexico can match, a resident marine biologist who has spent years studying the humpback whale population of Banderas Bay.
On board, they’ll help you identify individual whales by their unique tail fluke markings, explain the extraordinary behaviors you’re witnessing, breaching, pec slapping, tail lobbing, and the haunting underwater songs of the males, and give you a scientific and emotional connection with these animals that transforms a sightseeing trip into a genuine wildlife encounter.
Guests consistently describe this as the single most memorable experience of their entire trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Why a Sailboat is Best for Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta
Choose Your Sailboat for Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta
Available on all three of our sailboats. Choose based on your group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is whale watching season in Puerto Vallarta?
Humpback whales are in Banderas Bay from December through March. January and February are peak months with the highest activity levels.
Is a whale sighting guaranteed?
While we cannot guarantee sightings, humpback whales are extremely active in Banderas Bay during season. In our years of operation, sightings are the rule, not the exception.
Why choose a sailboat over a motorboat for whale watching?
Sailboats approach whales more quietly and with less disturbance. Whales are naturally more curious and relaxed around sailing vessels, often approaching the boat voluntarily.
Can children join?
Absolutely, this is one of our most family-friendly experiences. Children are captivated by the marine biologist’s narration and the whales themselves.
Book Your Private Whale Watching Sailboat Tour
Seasonal, December through March only. Book early as spots fill quickly.
