Watch and Swim with Dolphins in the Wild

This excursion out of Puerto Vallarta takes you to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment, with the option to swim with them. It is run by Wildlife Connection, and the trip lasts about 210 minutes. The operator stresses that the dolphins are not confined: this is a wild pod, observed in open water.

Taking part also means contributing to a research project that helps understand and protect the dolphins of Puerto Vallarta. Your guides are professional biologists, who share what they know about the animals and their behavior while you watch and interact with the pod. That gives the outing an educational side on top of the wildlife viewing.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and carbonated beverages. Snacks are not included, so if you tend to get hungry on the water, bring something of your own. Because encounters with wild animals depend on where the pod is on the day, expect the exact experience to vary from trip to trip.

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, infants sit on an adult's lap, and service animals are allowed. Public transportation options are available nearby. Note that the operator advises against the tour for people who are more than seven months pregnant.

The operator's message is direct: it asks visitors not to support the capture of more dolphins and to see them instead in their own environment. If that approach matches what you are looking for, this is a fitting choice for families and animal lovers based in Puerto Vallarta.