The end of the year is always a special time to be in Puerto Vallarta; not only because of the holiday festivities, but also because hundreds of humpback whales start to appear off the coast of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit! The spectacular sea creatures make their annual 16,000-mile migration from the cold waters of Alaska to reproduce in warmer waters, creating some of the best opportunities in the world for whale-watching.
Weighing up to 90,000 lbs., humpback whales are easily identified by their black dorsal fin and the hump on their backs for which they are named. It’s especially enthralling to these magnificent mammals playing, feeding and breaching just a few feet away. By January, the females begin to give birth and by the end of March they start their return to the North.
Considered one of the area’s best aquatic activities, Puerto Vallarta has several professional whale watching tour operators. Please inquire with a hotel representative for additional information.
Photo Credit: Garza Blanca Residence Club