Seasonal· Puerto Vallarta· Mexico
Humpback Whale Season (Banderas Bay)
20° 39.0′ N · 105° 22.9′ W
Every winter North Pacific humpbacks arrive from Alaska and Canada to mate and calve in the bay's warm, sheltered water, breaching beside anchorages, racecourses and the Malecón. The 2026 season set records, with up to 100 whales visible across the bay at once.
Practical
Coordinate is the Wikipedia point for Banderas Bay. Season roughly late November / December to late March, peaking January and February; the official 2026 whale-watching season ran until March 23 (Banderas News). The northern bay is a nursery for mothers and calves and a stage for competitive groups. Ecobac counted about five whales an hour in 2026 against a normal two. Collision risk rises with winter traffic: post a lookout, slow down near whales, keep your distance and never approach mothers with calves; certified tour boats fly a whale-watching flag marked 'JAL y Nayarit'. Whales regularly cross the Banderas Bay Regatta course.
Best for
Whale encounters on every winter sail
Season
Dec–Mar (peak Jan–Feb)
Nearby
- Banderas Bay Security NotesRight here
- Banderas Bay SportfishingRight here
- Hurricane Season and Lidia Damage Notes (Banderas Bay)Right here
- Afternoon Sea Breeze (Banderas Bay)3 NM away
- Paradise Village / Nuevo Vallarta Outside Anchorage4.8 NM away
- Paradise Village Marina (Nuevo Vallarta)5.2 NM away
- Vallarta Cup, WesMex and MEXORC (Banderas Bay Racing Season)5.5 NM away
- Banderas Bay Regatta5.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).