Dolphins in the Wild
Wildlife Connection offers you the opportunity to visit these fabulous animals in their natural environment and to participate in a research project that helps us understand and protect our dolphins here in Puerto Vallarta. Come with us and interact with a Bottlenose pod. Our guides are professional biologists who will share with you their knowledge, making this excursion a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Remember that these dolphins are not confined and this is the NATURAL WAY to observe and enjoy them.
Do not contribute to capturing more dolphins! Visit them in their own environment because
FREE DOLPHINS ARE HAPPY DOLPHINS!!!
Dolphins in the Wild
The tour goes to visit a resident bottlenose dolphin group but sometimes we find spotted dolphins, marine turtles even Bryde whales. Depending on the dolphin's type group, activity and of course their mood we have good chances to swim with them specially if there are juveniles around (they are very curios), but we can't guarantee the swimming as they are wild animals so it depends on them not on us. Only during Dec-Mar we can see Humpback whales, spinner dolphins, rough toothed dolphins, giant mantas, and even with luck Sperm Whales, Orcas or False Orcas. Our guides are specialists in cetaceans, Biologists with Masters Degree in Marine Ecology, Science Journalist and Professional Wildlife Photographer (National Geographic magazine and Animal Planet). We have some research programs with whales and dolphins, and during the tour we will share with you this information and you will have the opportunity to participate on our research. Your participation on our tour it's what makes our research possible, and our research and experience helps us to GUARANTEE 100% that we can find the animals if not your money back.
Season
Year around
Availability
Daily
Includes
- Specialist bilingual guide
- Educational explanation
- Hydrophone on board
- Light breakfast (coffee, juice, bread)
- Bottled water & soft drinks
- Snacks
- Lunch (only during Dec-Mar tours)
Restrictions
- No age restrictions.
- Small kids will enjoy a lot.
- Persons with a disability (physical, mental, vision, hearing) are also welcome.
What to bring & wear
- Comfortable shoes with nonskid soles.
- Comfortable clothes.
- $$$ for tips and souvenirs.
Terms & conditions
For cancellation policies and more details please read our Terms and Conditions.
Schedule
- 09:00 Appointment at OPEQUIMAR (Vallarta). Located across the street from the Westin Resort & Spa Hotel in Marina Vallarta.
- A light continental breakfast is served while you receive an educational introduction to the world of dolphins, along with information about the different dolphin species in the bay and their habitat.
- 09:30 Departure from OPEQUIMAR. Dolphins are searched for inside the bay — the time to find them varies. Once they are found, there is a possibility that clients can swim with the dolphins, but there is no guarantee; it always depends on the dolphins.
- 12:30 Arrival back in Puerto Vallarta.
Small groups
We use small boats because it's the best way to get close to the animals with low impact. Our boats are 27ft and 33ft shaded fast boats, with capacity for 12, 14 or 20 passengers depending on the number of clients — so it's a private and personalized tour.
Cancellation policy
- 48 hours or more before the excursion date — 100% refund.
- 36 hours or more before the excursion date — 50% refund, or we will accept date changes.
- 24 hours before the excursion date — we will accept date changes but no refunds.
- No-shows or late arrivals — no refund under any circumstance.
All changes are subject to availability. For group or private tour cancellation policies and more details, please read our Terms & Conditions.
This section is coming soon.
Dolphin research project
Capturing of dolphins began in the 1940s with the purpose of using them as attractions in aquariums. The most common species being captured is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Much research has been done with animals in captivity, including behavior, medicine, communication, physiology, anatomy, reproduction and intelligence. Despite the fact that this information is truly invaluable, there are many aspects of dolphin life that can only be studied in animals in their natural habitat.
In 1998, Wildlife Connection began a research program with the bottlenose dolphins in Banderas Bay. Part of the project focuses on the indispensable individual identification of the dolphins by photographing their dorsal fins, which — due to their shape and unique marks — can be used as an individual's fingerprint. One of our first findings was that our study group is a resident group that lives exclusively inside Banderas Bay. A more detailed study was carried out to determine which areas are important for this particular group. With all this information, we developed a Master's degree thesis, and we are now promoting the protection of the species in this area.
For more information, open the research section or please contact us.
Adopt a dolphin!
We invite you to participate in the study and conservation of dolphins. Wildlife Connection has the first real Adopt-A-Dolphin Program in Puerto Vallarta, called RADAR. Ask us for information and adopt your own dolphin!
This section is coming soon.