Every winter, humpback whales travel from Alaska to breed and calve in the warm water of Banderas Bay. From a boat you will often see breaches, tail slaps, and mothers with newborn calves.
The window
- Mid-December: first arrivals
- January–February: peak, highest chance of calves and active behaviour
- March: still good early in the month; they thin out by the end
- April onward: gone
What a good tour looks like
Mexican law keeps boats at least 60 m from a whale (240 m if there is a calf), caps time with any one animal, and bans chasing. A responsible operator:
- carries a permit and a marine biologist or trained guide
- keeps groups small and the engine idle near animals
- lets the whales approach rather than driving at them
- uses a hydrophone so you can hear the song
If a captain guns it toward a spout or crowds other boats, that is the tour to avoid — and to mention in your review.
Practical
Morning trips have calmer water. Bring a windbreaker, sunscreen and motion-sickness tablets taken before you board. Cameras: shoot wide, the action is fast.
Ready to pick one? Compare the whale-watching tours.