The 7 Best Puerto Vallarta Dolphin Tours

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.Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

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

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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4.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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5.Wild Dolphin Encounter in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Join Vallarta Natours at 9:00 am for a small-group trip from Marina Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. Watch wild dolphins from a respectful distance, listen to their calls through a hydrophone, then swim nearby with snorkeling gear. Lunch, soft drinks, and a marine biologist guide are included.

“This tour was terrible......we may be able to swim with them and maybe not. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY”

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6.Private Wild Dolphin Encounter in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Thalia and Captain Angel at Marina Vallarta for a private 3.5-hour search for wild bottlenose dolphins in Bahía de Banderas. You may enter the water when the dolphins show interest, then enjoy lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear before returning to the marina.

“Thalia is incredibly knowledgeable. We learned a great deal about dolphins and whales. Capt. Angel got us out into the bay where we found the dolphins and got to jump in the water where they were swimming. Amazing! This was the highlight of the trip! The turkey sandwiches on the boat—best Thanksgiving we could ask for. Definitely recommend this tour.”

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7.Swim and Paddle Board with Wild Dolphin Pods in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110

Join OCEANUS Lifetime from Los Muertos Beach Pier for a private four-hour search for wild dolphin pods near river mouths. A marine-life guide explains dolphin behavior before you approach by paddle board, swim with snorkeling gear, or glide nearby on towable boards. Eduardo has guided some outings.

“Maybe we caught them on an off day, I’m not sure. There was not much here worth writing about for our family of 6. We chose an 8am tour, and their own description says the earlier the better for seeing dolphins. When we were contacted the day before the tour, they told us to meet at 8:30 instead of 8. So that’s fine. So we meet at 8:30 at the pier, but they say they need to get the boat ready and for us to wait. So we sit on a bench for 30 minutes waiting for them, and finally depart shortly after 9am. There is a guide who was…”

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