Watching whales is the best kind of ocean time. This Puerto Vallarta tour lines up humpback whale watching in Banderas Bay with a speedboat ride that stays smooth even at speed. It’s also legally sanctioned with licensed captains and guides, so you’re not guessing about how the experience is run.

I like that the trip is built around real time on the water, so you’re not just sitting in a harbor. I also like the human touch: the guide on board, including Benji, is great at communicating what you’re seeing and keeps the mood fun, with English that lands clearly and a quick sense of humor.

One thing to plan around: this outing isn’t suitable for everyone. If you’re pregnant or have mobility impairments, this trip may not be a good fit.

Key things that make this whale tour click

• APEX speedboat comfort: up to 40 mph and usually no ripple you can feel
• Whale watching in season (Dec–Mar): when humpbacks are plentiful in Banderas Bay
• Licensed, government-sanctioned operation: guides and captains are trained and licensed
• A real “get out there” schedule: short runs to Bahia de Banderas with more time observing
• On-board spotting help: Benji style guidance for what to look for in the water

Banderas Bay humpbacks, timed for the season that matters

If you’re chasing humpbacks, timing is everything—and this tour focuses on the season when Banderas Bay is at its best. From December through March, the humpback presence is described as amazing, with whales out in the open and doing big behavior like jumping and breaching high in the air.

That matters because “whale watching” can mean a lot of different things. Some trips feel like you’re hunting for a dot offshore. Here, the idea is to be in the right place when the whales are most likely to show strong activity, and to spend meaningful time watching rather than rushing in and out.

I also appreciate that the tour frames the humpbacks as living animals with their own long rhythms. You’ll learn about their multi-mile journey connected to Banderas Bay, so your eyes have a story to follow while you scan the water. Even if you’ve watched whales before, having context helps you spot the moments that look ordinary at first and then become unforgettable.

The “guaranteed sighting” promise: how to use it wisely

The tour name leans hard on a sighting guarantee. That’s exciting, but it’s also smart to set expectations correctly.

Here’s how I’d think about it: whales are wild animals. Weather, sea conditions, and how animals are moving in the bay can affect what you see in a given window. A guarantee usually means the operator has a plan if whales don’t show as expected. What I can confirm from the info you have is that it’s promoted as guaranteed and run by a legally sanctioned team with trained captains and guides.

Before you go, I’d ask one simple question when you book: how does the guarantee get handled if you don’t get the sighting you expected? You don’t need details of every scenario—just clarity on what action is taken on the day.

The good news is the recent experience quality looks strong in practice. In past outings, people reported several humpback sightings, including a mother and calf, plus dolphins and even a seal. One guest also mentioned orcas, which suggests the day can be more than humpbacks only—though it’s not something you should assume.

Smooth at speed: what the APEX boat feels like on the water

This tour runs on large high-speed APEX boats, and the comfort detail is not a throwaway line. These boats are built to glide across the water at speeds up to 40 mph, and the expectation is that you’ll usually feel little more than a smooth ride.

Why that matters: speedboat tours can be rough if you’re seated in the wrong place or if the ride turns into constant bouncing. If the water is choppy, no boat is magical, but the “no ripple you can even feel” description tells me the design goal is comfort first—not just getting you there fast.

In plain terms, you’re saving your energy for the part you actually came for: watching whales. Less jolting also makes it easier to keep your eyes up and take photos or video without fighting motion.

The tour flow around Puerto Vallarta Marina (and what each stop is for)

Your day is organized around a few predictable moments: meeting at the dock option you booked, a fast ride out, time in Bahía de Banderas, and then returning for drop-off at one of the listed locations.

Two starting dock options: keep an eye on the one you selected

Depending on what you book, your meeting point can be tied to Otro, Los Veranos Canopy Tour (Nvo. Vallarta – Dock C). That matters because Puerto Vallarta has multiple activity zones, and it’s easy to waste time if you show up at the wrong dock.

Tip: once you have your exact meeting location, go there early enough to park, walk, and get oriented without rushing. When you’re about to board a boat, 20 minutes of calm is worth more than 20 minutes of “I’ll figure it out.”

Speedboat run: about 30 minutes each way

You’ll get two 30-minute speedboat segments—one outbound and one back. This keeps the day efficient. You’re not spending hours trapped in transit. Instead, you move between “land base” and the action area, so your whale-watching time stays the focus.

If you get motion-sensitive, I’d treat those segments as the moment to prepare. Comfortable clothes are recommended, and you’ll want to be seated in a way that feels stable.

Bahia de Banderas: where the whale watching actually happens

Once you’re out in Bahía de Banderas, you’ll be with the group for guided whale watching plus a chance to spot dolphins. The itinerary indicates an extended window there (listed as part of a roughly 3-hour on-water experience), and the key value is time on the water with your guide helping you notice behavior.

This is also where the seasonality becomes real. The description points to whales being plentiful and doing dramatic breaches throughout the day in the bay during Dec–Mar. When you hear that, you should picture more than occasional surfacing. Breaching is the kind of behavior where whales throw more of themselves into view, making your odds better for getting clear sightings without needing perfect timing.

What you can realistically see: humpbacks, plus the “bonus” marine life

The center of gravity here is humpback whales. The tour is explicitly designed around observing them in their natural habitat, with a focus on how they move and behave during their journey connected to Banderas Bay.

Based on the reported experiences, you should also keep an open mind for other wildlife. Guests have mentioned:

• dolphins sightings
• a seal sighting
• a mother-and-calf humpback moment
• and, in at least one case, orcas

That last one is a reminder that marine areas can deliver surprise encounters. But you should treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee. Your “must-see” is humpbacks.

Also, watch how your guide talks about what you’re seeing. Benji (and the team on board) is described as fun, engaging, and able to explain what’s in front of you clearly, including English that’s easy to follow. One of the best ways to enjoy whale watching is to know what you’re looking for: surfacing patterns, where whales tend to appear relative to the bay, and what behavior looks like before it becomes obvious.

Lunch on the water: box food that keeps the day practical

You’ll be offered a box lunch, described as seasonal fruit, a soft drink, and a sandwich. On a boat tour, this is exactly the kind of included meal that makes the difference between a smooth outing and a cranky one.

Why? Because a whale-watching day can be intense in short bursts: adrenaline when something surfaces, followed by quiet watching. Having food taken care of means you don’t have to decide between missing the next spout or hunting down snacks.

It’s not positioned as a fancy gourmet lunch. It’s more like smart energy support so you can stay focused on the water.

Price and value: is $99 per person fair for this kind of day?

At $99 per person, this sits in the category where you should be asking: what am I paying for besides the animal itself?

You’re paying for:

• a licensed, legally sanctioned operation with trained captains and guides
• real boat time on the water, not just a quick pass
• a comfortable high-speed APEX ride
• guided spotting help in English or Spanish
• transportation and an included box lunch
• a marketed sighting guarantee

Is $99 cheap? No. But it can be good value if you care about the full package: safe equipment, trained staff, smooth transport, and time built for actual watching. A lot of “value” whale tours end up cutting time on the water or skimping on guidance. Here, the day is designed around being out there when whales are most likely to show up, especially during Dec–Mar.

If you’re flexible and you’re traveling with someone who wants to cross a bucket-list moment, that value is easier to justify. If you’re only looking for a short, low-effort trip, there are cheaper options in the region, but they often trade away the comfort and guidance that make this one easier to enjoy.

Practical tips: what to wear, what to avoid, and who should skip it

This is one of those tours where “bring less, think ahead” works.

What you should bring:

• comfortable clothes

What’s not allowed:

• drones

Who should skip:

• pregnant women
• people with mobility impairments

Why I’m calling that out: a speedboat ride plus time scanning from a boat deck isn’t a “sit back and watch” situation for everyone. If you’re in the groups listed as not suitable, it’s worth choosing a different style of tour that matches your needs.

Also, you’ll have a guide in English or Spanish. If you’re more comfortable in one language, plan around that so you get the best explanations while you watch.

Should you book this whale watching guaranteed tour?

I’d book it if humpbacks are your main goal and you’re visiting during December through March (or you simply want the best odds in the season they highlight). You’ll likely enjoy it most if you value:

• a smooth, fast APEX ride that doesn’t beat up your body
• a guide who helps you actually see what’s happening (Benji is a standout from recent experiences)
• real time in Bahía de Banderas with whales and possible extra marine life

I’d skip it if you fall into the not-suitable groups or if you strongly dislike boat movement. And if you’re the type who needs a guarantee spelled out in clear terms, ask how the sighting guarantee is handled before you pay.

If that all checks out, this is a strong choice for a Puerto Vallarta wildlife day where the whole schedule serves the same purpose: get you out there to watch humpback whales with a professional, licensed operation.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

The duration is listed as 3 hours, and the description also refers to a tour of about 3.5 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

You’ll depart from Puerto Vallarta Marina on board an APEX high-speed boat. The meeting point can vary based on the option you booked, and one listed starting option is Otro, Los Veranos Canopy Tour (Nvo. Vallarta – Dock C).

Are humpback whales guaranteed to be seen?

The experience is marketed as a Whale Watching Guaranteed experience, so a whale sighting is part of the promise. If you want specifics on what happens if you do not see whales, confirm the details when booking.

What boat will we take?

You’ll ride on large high-speed APEX boats built to glide on the water and reach speeds up to 40 mph.

What wildlife might we see besides whales?

Dolphins are included in what you may see, and some recent sightings also included a seal and even orcas.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A box lunch is included, with seasonal fruit, a soft drink, and a sandwich.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $99 per person.

Is there an extra port fee?

Yes. A port fee of $2 USD is required for departures by boat in Marina, and it can be paid in cash or by card in the office.

What language is the guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

What should I wear and what’s not allowed?

Bring comfortable clothes. Drones are not allowed.

You Might Also Enjoy

2 hour Lahaina Sunrise Whale WatchTromsø: Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat TripWhale Watching Shared Half DayOpen Ocean Safari and Whale Watching