Whale watching tour from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
- From Departs from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
- 4 hours
- up to 50 guests
- December to March
Photos: Fernando Flores, CC BY-SA 2.0 · terri_bateman, CC BY 2.0 · Ferfive, CC BY 4.0 · Ruiz, CC BY-SA 2.0
Four hours watching humpback whales in the open water of Banderas Bay, from the marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, December to March.
What you do
- Whale watching
Highlights
- Humpback whales in their winter water
- Open bay outside the protected coastal strip
- Time to wait out a long dive and move between groups
- Boarding at the marina in La Cruz, a short drive from Punta de Mita and Sayulita
About this trip
Humpback whales spend the winter in Banderas Bay, and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle sits on the bay's north shore. From its marina the open water is a short run away, which leaves most of the morning for the whales.
Federal rules shape the route. The season notice closes a 2 km strip along the coast from Punta de Mita to the mouth of the Ameca River, where mothers and calves gather, and a 1.5 km ring around the Marietas Islands. So the yacht heads straight out past that strip and the captain works the open bay off La Cruz, staying within about 4 nautical miles of the marina so the run home stays short.
We designed this trip from the official zones and the distances from the marina; it is our plan, not an operator's. It runs on two boats based at this marina: Ally Cat, a 56 ft sailing catamaran, and Ally Cat Too, a 48 ft trimaran.
Itinerary
After departure: 0:00
Board at Marina Riviera Nayarit
Meet the crew at the dock in La Cruz and head straight out into the bay. The times here are at the 8 knots we plan on for both boats.
After departure: 0:15
Whales in the open bay
About 2 km offshore the closed coastal strip ends and the search begins. Close to three hours with the whales, moving between groups as they surface and dive.
After departure: 3:20
Back to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
The run back to the marina, about half an hour.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
When is whale watching season in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle?
SEMARNAT, the federal environment ministry, sets the dates for Banderas Bay each year in a notice. They were December 8 to March 23 for 2025-26, the same as in 2019-20. The 2026-27 notice is not out yet; we'll confirm the dates once it is.
Are whale sightings guaranteed?
No. Whales are wild and nobody can promise one, though an operator at the marina says it usually sees them every day in season. Our cancellation policy covers a trip we cannot run because of weather, maintenance or other unforeseen circumstances, with a full refund or a new date; a trip without a sighting is not covered.
How close do we get to the whales?
The federal standard for whale watching, NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010, sets the rules. A boat over 10 m long, as both boats on this trip are, stays at least 80 m from a humpback. No more than four boats may stay with one whale or group, each for up to 30 minutes, and near whales a boat keeps under 5 knots. Only boats authorised by SEMARNAT may take guests to watch whales, and they carry its identifying mark on board. Swimming is not allowed during whale watching, so this trip has no swim stop.
We are staying in Punta de Mita or Sayulita. Where do we board?
At Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz, about 20 minutes by road from Punta de Mita and 25 from Sayulita. Both boats on this trip are based there.
What should we bring?
A light jacket, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, shoes with rubber soles, a camera and binoculars if you have them, and your own towels. If you get seasick, take your usual remedy before boarding.
How do I book, and what if I have to cancel?
A 50% deposit confirms your date and the balance is due 7 days before the trip. Apart from a trip we cannot run, the deposit is not refundable, but it can be moved to another date within 6 months on the same yacht. Terms vary by yacht and we confirm them in writing before you pay.
Is the crew's tip included?
No. Tipping the crew is customary, and for both boats on this trip the usual range is 15% to 20% of the charter price, at your discretion. The quote we send lists what the price includes.
$1,110+ Tax
4 hours · 2 guests