Whale Watching Adventure with a Marine Biologist

This whale-watching outing is led by a marine biologist and combines time on the water with an educational talk about humpback whales. The focus is on watching these animals in their natural habitat while learning about their behavior, biology and conservation. According to the operator, your participation also supports research and marine protection efforts, and the company is the main sponsor of a whale ecology and conservation program.

The scheduled time is 210 minutes. The itinerary lists an informative talk of about 20 minutes on the biology, ecology and behavior of humpback whales, plus around 10 minutes for boarding and disembarking. The rest of the time is spent aboard, looking for whales. The listing does not give a departure time or route, so check those details when you book.

You travel on an authorized motorboat, and the operator highlights small groups for a more personal experience. The crew are professional biologists. On board there is a hydrophone system, so you can listen to the sounds of marine mammals, including the songs of male humpbacks, and restrooms are available.

This tour suits travelers who want more than a quick look at the whales and are interested in the science behind them. It is described as suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants must sit on an adult's lap and children under 2 years old are not allowed. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or for pregnant travelers.

The price includes travel insurance, a professional guide, coffee or tea, refilled water, a light bite, sodas and granola bars, the lecture, the on-board restrooms and the hydrophone. It does not include alcoholic beverages, gratuities or the boarding fee for Ecotours Vallarta, so ask what that fee comes to when you book.

Two more points from the operator. No refund is given if you miss the tour because a cruise ship arrives late or you do not arrive, and you should tell the operator about any dietary requirements at the time of booking. A meeting point is not stated in the listing, so confirm it with your booking details.