Whale Watching in Mexico 2024-2025

You may find a family of humpbacks next to your boat and see the majesty of a mother and her calves swimming side by side

Best time: December–March

The diversity of large marine mammals roaming offshore Mexico include sperm whales, blue whales, killer whales, and grey whales, but all these are quite elusive and hence are rarely spotted during whale watching tours.

When is a whale season in Mexico

The whale watching season in Mexico starts at the end of November and ends in March. The whales remain in Mexico throughout December, January, and February, and they begin returning to northern waters in early March.

Place to watch whales in Mexico

You can enjoy whale watching in Baja California Sur and Puerto Vallarta. Los Cabos is quite a popular spot, to name a few. The fishing village of Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, located at the north end of the Magdalena Bay event, holds the International Festival of the Gray Whale is celebrated. Whale-watching tours are also possible further south in Puerto Vallarta or along the Riviera Nayarit.

At Loreto Bay, you’ll have the chance to see blue whales swimming. Todos Santos Bay is known for gray whales, and you might also catch a funny scene with sea lions, dolphins, and endemic birds. Cabo San Lucas is a place where you can watch both gray whales and humpback whales, while Sinaloa and Nayarit are only for observing humpback whales.

If you prefer a less touristic location, go south to Bahia de Petatlan, boasting a few fishing villages and a long stretch of pristine beach in the Mexican state of Guerrero. However, humpbacks are seasonal visitors in Mexico as they come from the cold American Northwest areas to the warmth of the Pacific. Overall, the Pacific coast of Mexico welcomes about 2,000 humpback whales to mate and calf. Their winter stay lasts from December through March.

Whale watching tour in Mexico

A tour on a boat organized by experts who know the local waters and the best places to find the whales guarantees you the best experience. The peace of a whale-watching tour in Mexico depends on the region and the duration of the tour. A one-day tour can cost around $100, while a week or longer tour can range from $3,000 to $7,000.

Tips for whale watching

Don't forget to wear layered clothing, as the temperature in the open sea can be lower than that of the coast. So, extra clothes in case you get wet is also a good idea. If you suffer from dizziness, be sure to take medicine for seasickness before the excursion. Sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes are a must-have on the boat in the sea. Plus, consider bringing a cap to cover your face.

Whales are quite unpredictable, so it will take a lot of patience to wait for one of these beauties to surface. Each tour is different from the previous one, so the main tip is to keep an eye on the horizon and be ready to see a whale at any moment. You will be more likely to catch a glimpse of a whale in the morning hours when the ocean and wind are calmer.

Practical info

When can one witness the migration of humpback whales towards Mexico, and which other whales might be observed?

From December to March, humpback whales migrate from the north to mate and calf in Mexico's Pacific coast. Apart from humpback whales, one may hope to see elusive species like sperm whales, blue whales, killer whales, and grey whales during whale watching tours. Though the chances of running into them are not as high as they are for humpback whales, which number about 2,000 at the location.

Which species of whales are more dominant in the whale watching tours across Mexico?

Whale watching tours in Mexico primarily feature humpback whales. Humpback whales are known to leap out of the water and show off by getting up close to humans. Other species that can be found in the vicinity are less common, and sightings are therefore rarer. These include blue whales, Sperm whales, killer whales, and gray whales.

Which spots offer the best whale watching experience, and which ones offer a quieter experience?

Mexico's Los Cabos, Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Nayarit are some of the best places for whale watching. While Los Cabos may get crowded, other places such as Bahia de Petatlan in Guerrero tend to see fewer tourists and offer a more tranquil experience. These places offer a rich concentration of humpback whales and other sea mammals for sightings and interactions.

Aside from whales, what other types of marine animals are one likely to spot in Mexico's waters?

Mexico's marine habitats are teeming with life, and you're likely to see a wide variety of animals like dolphins, sea lions, and seals while on a whale watching tour. The waters feature several species of dolphins, including the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, spotted dolphin, and Pacific white-sided dolphin. Other animals one may encounter include sea turtles, sharks or mantas, and harbor seals resting on rocky outcrops.

What is the duration of the principal whale watching season?

Humpback whales tend to visit the warm Pacific waters of Mexico from around December to March. They come from colder regions of the American Northwest, making the most of the tropical climate. The experience might be affected by factors such as climatic conditions and regional environmental influences. In general, it is best to double-check with the tour providers and watchdogs for updates on the best time to visit for whale watching.

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