The 15 Best Dolphin Tours in Mexico

1.Watch and Swim with Dolphins in the Wild

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 668 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $105Our pick

From Marina Vallarta, join a biologist guide such as Camilla, Gema, or Maru aboard a small research-minded boat. Use a hydrophone to locate wild dolphins, then enter the water in small groups if the animals show interest. Whales, turtles, rays, and dolphin calves may also appear.

“We had a wonderful experience on this excursion. The tour operators, Gema and Boat Captain Caesar made the trip very enjoyable. We travelled out into the Bay of Banderas until they found pods of dolphins. They had us go into the water in small groups. Three people with Gema. We swam with the dolphins and they swam around us. We swapped out people so that everyone could enjoy the experience. This pod of dolphins was very friendly but we never touch them. At one point we were all allowed to be in the water together with the dolphins. I would recommend this to excision to anyone.”

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2.Whale and Dolphin Watching with a Biologist in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 666 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $105Top rated

Spend about four hours on a covered boat with a cetacean biologist such as Jemma or Camilla, looking for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and giant mantas. You will learn to read whale behavior, hear underwater songs with a hydrophone, and contribute to local research.

“The weather was perfect and the whales were out for a day of frolicking! We saw several full breaches that were truly amazing to witness! A very memorable day!”

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3.Puerto Escondido: Boat Tour to see Dolphins and Marine Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 467 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $46

From Puerto Angelito, MikeTours takes you by motorboat to search for dolphins, turtles, rays, birds, and seasonal humpback whales. Guides Mike or Hector lead Spanish and English tours, with snorkeling gear, life jackets, a cooler, and Bluetooth music. Swimming with dolphins is possible but depends on sea conditions and animal behavior.

“Mike was great! An amazing way to spend the morning. Swam with sea turtles and dolphins, definitely worth the money!”

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4.Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Set out from Puerto Escondido at 7am with guides such as Alex, Johnny, or Omar to search for wild dolphins, humpback whales, turtles, rays, and seabirds. The boat holds up to 10 people, and swimming or snorkeling may be possible when sea conditions and jellyfish levels allow.

“The tour was great! Alex was very knowledgeable and friendly! We saw a bunch of whales and dolphins! It was amazing! Moreover, we saw turtles!”

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5.Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 212 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $78

Set out from Puerto Vallarta for about four and a half hours of humpback whale and dolphin watching. A bilingual crew, marine biologist, hydrophone, breakfast, croissant lunch, and national open bar are included. Plan for a MX$32 dock tax, possible rough water, and a boat that may be larger than expected.

“See lots of whales. Staff is super nice and whale expert is excellent. The mango tequila drinks are great!”

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6.Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Set out from Marina Vallarta with a biologist guide such as Maggie, Michael, or Margarita to look for wild dolphins, whales, turtles, and rays. You may enter the Pacific near the dolphins, then snorkel at Los Arcos de Mismaloya. The four-hour trip includes lunch, drinks, gear, and a maximum of 10 people.

“We had a great time on this tour. We saw many dolphins and swam with them - an extraordinary experience. Our tour guide Megy is very knowledgeable and provides a lot of interesting information. The snorkeling wasn't as great as we've had in Hawaii - not so much diversity of fish and the water was blurry, but still, it was pretty good. After all, it was a great experience, considering also that it was just 2 couples all together and we felt very comfortable.”

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7.Dolphin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Start early with Eco Adventures Puerto Escondido and search the Pacific for dolphins, turtles, seabirds, mobula rays and flying fish. Humpback whales may appear from November to March. Guides including Juan Carlos, Carlos and Adriel have earned praise for their care and local knowledge, though the sea can be rough.

“Great experience! Alex, our captain, was very knowledgeable and a skilled boat driver. We had a great time.”

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8.Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $179

Set out from La Ventana at 8:00 a.m. for about five hours aboard a panga with no more than six people. Guides such as Juan, Alejandro, and Andrea are praised for spotting wildlife and keeping a respectful distance. Swim only if you are a confident ocean swimmer.

“The captain and tour guide very helpful and good at finding animals in the ocean!we can see humpback whales, sperm whale, dolphins, mobula rays…So much fun!”

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9.Cancún: Dolphin Encounter on Isla Mujeres with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 56 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

Meet dolphins from a standing underwater platform at Dolphin Discovery on Isla Mujeres. You will learn about dolphin behavior, diet, and care programs, then enjoy a buffet, soft drinks, pools, and lounge chairs. The 9:00 AM ferry from Playa Langosta returns around 5:30 PM.

“Was fun getting so close to the dolphins, definitely memorable but the cost is not worth what you end up doing. I picked encounter, cheapest level, and it was about 30-40 minutes. But it’s spread amongst the group you’re in, so you maybe get 5-7 minutes. Cost if photos is crazy, and you can’t take your own or bring a go pro. I can’t say anything about the buffet, I missed it, was my own fault. You do get free time on the island but transportation to the centre is not included. The instructor was knowledgeable though.”

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10.Puerto Escondido: Boat Tour among Dolphins and Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 52 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Meet your guide at 7:00 AM for a hotel pickup, then cruise Puerto Escondido’s Pacific waters for three hours. Look for playful dolphins, sea turtles, and migrating whales. The tour is for wildlife viewing only, with English and Spanish support, and swimming is not permitted.

“Super expérience, réservée à la dernière minute. On vous amène sur un petit bateau, on vous donne masque et tuba et hop on saute à l’eau parmi les dauphins. Une expérience inédite! Je déconseille juste d’acheter le café auprès des marchands ambulants de la plage car il est vraiment pas terrible”

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11.Cancun: Interactive Aquarium – Swim with Dolphins Splash

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 49 reviews · 35 min · from $127

At Interactive Aquarium Cancún in Plaza La Isla, you’ll join a group of up to 10 for a dolphin presentation and 20 minutes of guided water activities, including a kiss, behavior lessons, and close contact. Bring swimwear and ID, but leave phones, cameras, and jewelry behind.

“We loved being in the pool and interacting with the dolphins but for the money didn’t seem long enough. By the time we checked in, got changed and had a talk about the dolphin, we had a few photos then it finished. 15 minutes with the dolphins for what we paid was a bit expensive for a family on a budget. That was without any photos. We then had to pay $53 per photo or they had packages which worked out cheaper but still very expensive in total.”

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12.Cancún Interactive Aquarium Admission + Dolphin Presentation

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 33 reviews · 1 day · from $26Best value

At Cancun’s Interactive Aquarium, you can see more than 140 marine species, use the touch tanks, visit the axolotl exhibit, and watch a 7 pm dolphin presentation. Entry is inside Plaza La Isla, with dolphin swims, photos, transportation, and Aquarium Trek sold separately.

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13.Puerto Aventuras: Dolphin Swim, Sea Lions, Manatees, & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 2 hours · from $135

Spend about two hours at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras with a 15-minute briefing, a 60-minute dolphin swim, and separate sea lion and manatee sessions. A buffet meal, two non-alcoholic drinks, lockers, showers, and restrooms are included. Groups are limited to 10.

“The activities were amazing, of course we would have liked to spend more time interacting with the animals but understand why its limited. we were a party of 5, joined by 2 more - so 7 ppl for both Dolphins and manatee - then a larger group for the sea lion. All the staff were happy and friendly and made it a lovely day. The food was good with a nice selection. would recommend 👌”

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14.Cancun: Interactive Aquarium Ticket and Swim with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 19 reviews · 45 min · from $138

Meet a dolphin at Interactive Aquarium Cancun in Plaza La Isla. Your English- or Spanish-speaking host leads 14 water activities in a 30-minute session, including petting, dolphin kisses, behavior lessons, and simple games. Aquarium admission, towels, and a locker are included.

“Loved it but I thought we could actually swim with them not just stand in the water.”

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15.Cancun: Dolphin Encounter on Isla Mujeres and Garrafon Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · from $103

Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres for a hands-on dolphin encounter, conservation talk, reef snorkeling or kayaking, a buffet lunch, one zipline ride, and hammock time at Garrafon Natural Park. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead this nine-hour outing.

“A lot of time was really planned for us to meet the dolphins. We were often allowed to stroke the dolphins, try out a trick with them several times and even swim with them twice. Simply fantastic!!!”

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