Tours & Activities
Tours & Activities
Boat trips, whale watching, hiking, and more.
What's on · September in Puerto Vallarta
September — quietest month, softest prices, warm rain. Turtle releases nightly; whales a month off.
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Pick who's coming and your budget — the list re-sorts in place and factors in today's weather. Or tap a common trip above.
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13 in this group experiences
from
$75USD /person
May–December (new moon)
Bioluminescence Night Kayak
Ocean Friendly Expeditions
✓ Free cancellation
After-dark paddle when the plankton glows — every stroke lights up. Runs on new-moon weeks, roughly May–December. Clear-bottom kayaks on some departures.
Details
- Meet
- Boca de Tomatlán, after dark
- Ages
- 10+
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- couple, groups
- Water
- you will get wet
from
$95USD /person
December–March
Whale Photo Safari (Small Boat)
Ecotours de México
✓ Free cancellation
Reserve now, pay later
Small-group humpback research boat with a marine biologist. Fewer people, closer to the science, better photos. Federal permit holder.
Details
- Meet
- Nuevo Vallarta marina, 8am
- Ages
- 8+
- Effort
- easy — little walking
- Suits
- solo, couple, groups
from
$95USD /person
All-Inclusive Party Catamaran
Bahía Catamarans
Reserve now, pay later
Daytime catamaran with open bar, DJ, lunch, a Los Arcos snorkel stop and a beach-club stop. The classic PV booze-cruise — book the smaller boats for a better time.
Details
- Meet
- Marina Vallarta, 9:30am
- Ages
- 18+
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- couple, groups
- Water
- you can stay dry if you want
from
$100USD /person
Sunset Sailing Cruise
Bahía Catamarans
✓ Free cancellation
3-hour sunset catamaran cruise along the Bay of Banderas. Open bar, light dinner, live music. Anchored swim stop near Los Arcos.
Details
- Meet
- Marina Vallarta pier, 6pm
- Effort
- easy — little walking
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
from
$110USD /person
December–March
Whale Watching + Snorkel Combo
Ocean Friendly Expeditions
◆ Combo — 3-in-1
✓ Free cancellation
Morning humpback watching, then the boat drops anchor at a calm cove for a snorkel and swim before heading back. Best of both on one half-day; December–March only.
Details
- Meet
- Los Muertos pier, 8:30am
- Ages
- 8+
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
- Water
- you will get wet
from
$155USD /person
Las Caletas Beach Day
Vallarta Adventures
✓ Free cancellation
Reserve now, pay later
Boat to a jungle-backed private cove reachable only by water. Hammocks, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, a spa menu, buffet lunch and open bar. A full relaxed day, not a rush-around tour.
Details
- Meet
- Terminal Marítima, 8:30am
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
- Water
- you can stay dry if you want
from
$160USD /person
Swim with Dolphins
Vallarta Adventures
✓ Free cancellation
Reserve now, pay later
Guided in-water dolphin encounter at Dolphin Adventure — a trainer leads a small group, hands-on, with education about the animals. The single most-booked family experience in PV.
Details
- Meet
- Nuevo Vallarta, morning & afternoon slots
- Ages
- 6+
- Effort
- easy — little walking
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
- Water
- you will get wet
from
$35USD /person
August–December
Sea Turtle Release
Eco Tours Vallarta
✓ Free cancellation
Sunset release of newly-hatched sea turtles with a marine biologist, on a protected beach. August–December only. Low-key, moving, and a favourite with families.
Details
- Meet
- Beach location, ~5:30pm
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- solo, couple, family, groups
from
$54USD /person
Los Arcos Snorkeling Tour
Ocean Friendly Expeditions
✓ Free cancellation
4-hour snorkeling at Los Arcos National Marine Park. Sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays. Equipment included.
Details
- Meet
- Playa Los Muertos pier, 9am
- Ages
- 8+
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
- Water
- you will get wet
from
$77USD /person
December–March
Whale Watching Tour
Vallarta Adventures
✓ Free cancellation
Reserve now, pay later
3-hour guided whale watching in Banderas Bay. Humpbacks December–March. Hydrophone on board to hear whale songs.
Details
- Meet
- Marina Vallarta pier, 8am and 12pm
- Effort
- easy — little walking
- Suits
- solo, couple, family, groups
from
$110USD /person
Year-round (best viz May–Nov)
Scuba Diving — Los Arcos (2 Tanks)
Banderas Scuba Republic
✓ Free cancellation
Two-tank guided dive at Los Arcos for certified divers. 15–25m, giant boulders, eels, octopus, seasonal mantas. Gear and nitrox available.
Details
- Meet
- Boca de Tomatlán, 8:30am
- Ages
- 12+
- Effort
- some walking / uneven ground
- Suits
- solo, couple, groups
- Water
- you will get wet
from
$600USD /group
Private Boat Charter — Half Day
Banderas Bay Charters
✓ Free cancellation
Private 4-hour boat charter for up to 10. Set your own route — Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto. Captain, fuel, snorkel gear, cooler included. Price is per group.
Details
- Meet
- Marina Vallarta or Los Muertos pier
- Effort
- easy — little walking
- Suits
- couple, family, groups
- Water
- you can stay dry if you want
Nothing matches that combination. Clear the plan filters to see everything again.
Off the Malecón
The good stuff is
The good stuff is
a boat ride away.
Humpback whales from December, the Marietas Islands, a panga to Yelapa for lunch and a waterfall. Book direct with the operator where you can — more of it stays in town.
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