Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Go in search of dolphins in their native environment on this small-group half-day wildlife cruise from Puerto Vallarta. You'll learn all about wild dolphins from your biologist guide, then see them free—with a swim when conditions are right. Next, visit a snorkeling location to discover the underwater world of Mexico's Pacific coast. Your package includes a box lunch, but you should bring cash to pay the small port fee.
- Depart Puerto Vallarta on a half-day dolphin-spotting cruise
- Learn about the dolphins from a professional biologist guide
- Enjoy snorkeling in the waters of the Pacific
- Tour limited to just 10 travelers for a more intimate experience
What's Included
- Soft drinks
- Box lunch: sandwish, granola bar
- Biologist/naturalist professional guide
- Bottled water
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Educacional session
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Admission Fee - Boarding fee$5.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Ecotours Vallarta / Dive ShopProa 20, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
8:00 am Meeting time Plan to be 15 minutes early for the check in. Located near the ramp at the end of Calle Proa, 1/2 block beyond the " 8 Tostadas" restaurant in Marina Vallarta.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
1
Ecotours Vallarta
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Los Arcos de Mismaloya
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Malecon Boardwalk (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if require
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kyle_H
Michael and Rafael were the absolute best guides. The instructional video before we started was great, and even better they put us in/near several pods of dolphins! We weren’t able to snorkel very long due to jellyfish in the area, but I wouldn’t change the experience at all. We even saw some sea turtles (Rafael saw them from a ways out, nicely done)! I wouldn’t change highly recommend this tour with them to anyone visiting PV
Reviews
4.9
based on 154 reviews
Mike_D, Apr 2026
Loved, loved, the company. I love how they keep the group small so you’re able to get more personable with not only the crew but your fellow travelers.. we went out for the dolphin experience and snorkeling. We got pretty close to the dolphins but they decided they didn’t want to get close to us which is fine. They’re wild animals so we get it. Snorkeling was pretty nice. And we got back to the pick up point pretty fast. We loved the small group as opposed to those tours that pack you in like Sardines. No pushy sales tactics like pictures and tips. Definitely a go to tour company
Bradley_J, Oct 2025
Had a blast!! Dolphins were swimming all around us. Such an amazing experience! Saw a couple large turtles as well so cool!
Lauren_m, May 2025
Unfortunately my group never got to see any dolphins. I was hoping for a partial refund or an offer for another trip at a discounted rate but our guide offered nothing. On top of that, I was not given lunch. I had stated that I was a vegetarian when I had signed up for the excursion. But when the guide was handing out sandwiches she told me that she didn’t make any and that it was my fault for not emailing her. She told me to eat a fruit instead.
I am sure that there have been many great trips for others. But my experience was extremely disappointing.
Kyle_H, May 2025
Michael and Rafael were the absolute best guides. The instructional video before we started was great, and even better they put us in/near several pods of dolphins! We weren’t able to snorkel very long due to jellyfish in the area, but I wouldn’t change the experience at all. We even saw some sea turtles (Rafael saw them from a ways out, nicely done)! I wouldn’t change highly recommend this tour with them to anyone visiting PV
Dennis_W, Mar 2025
The water was a bit murky. So we couldn’t really see much. The temperature of the water was fantastic.
Shela_P, Mar 2025
Amazing tour guide! Very knowledgeable! Treated like lifelong friends. Breathtaking experience! Delicious lunch! 5 star!
Christa_E, Jan 2025
Out of all the things I did in Puerto Vallarta, this opportunity to swim with actual wild dolphins was hands down the most incredible. I was very skeptical at first, because I thought, what are the chances that we'd actually find them, let along get to swim with them, and so I almost didn't do this tour; but after a few other ventures out into the bay, and after seeing just how many dolphins were out there, I decided to take the plunge and I am so grateful I did.
The info session was the perfect length, and Maggie was so informative. You could see her passion for these beautiful creatures radiating from her the whole time.
Then we went out, found a group of dolphins playing, and jumped in. I ended up being arms length away on multiple occasions. You could see their curiosity, and playfulness, but also deep intelligence as they swam beside and under you, checking you out.
After that, we had a beautiful little snorkel out by Arcos and the whole experience was topped off with being serenaded by a humpback as he surfaced and dove playfully around our boat. The cherry on top was that Maggie dropped a mic down to amplify the song which was spellbinding.
Don't miss out on doing this tour!
Jana_E, Dec 2024
Cynthia and Martin were very helpful and good with every one on the boat. We saw many Dolphins and whales. Both were very safety conscious. We had a young boy terrified of getting in the water. They were so good with him. Truly a good team.
Rachelle_B, Oct 2024
Love this tour. It was so amazing to swim in the wild with dolphins. Then after that they took us to a place for snorkeling, and that was also amazing. The tour guide Michael and captain Rafael were great. The group size is small so more personable and better experience. We did another tour before this one with Vallarta Adventures and it was no way near this experience. Definitely best bang for your buck and would do it again. Loved it.
Samantha_C, Jul 2024
This tour was hands down one of my favorite excursions anywhere, ever! Rafael & Cynthia truly made this a morning to remember. We saw so many dolphins, sea turtles, and mother & calf dwarf sperm whales! The snorkeling was amazing, and the lunch was delicious!
Alicia_S, Jun 2024
Ethically, we don't agree with keeping dolphins in captivity for entertainment so we were so excited to have the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. We had a lot working against us on the day of our excursion. The water was murky and choppy. It took us awhile to find dolphins but when we did there were tons of them! There were babies in the pod so they weren't interested in interacting with us but we did jump in and try a couple times. My husband got within an arm's distance of one, but other than that, the dolphins dove deeper whenever we entered the water. For us, it was amazing just to be so close to so many dolphins and interesting to learn about dolphin behavior from the guide. Then we spent a short time snorkeling in Los Arcos. We did let them know that we're vegan and they said they would have hummus, but I think there was some confusion with the reservation as they gave us tuna. We were given fruit, crackers and drinks which was enough until we were able to get somewhere for lunch. I would recommend taking Dramamine for those prone to motion sickness.
Lana_G, May 2024
Michael and Rafael brought us on an amazing tour - the dolphins were all around us and we saw rays. 10/10
Kristen_G, Apr 2024
This was an awesome experience! Adventurous, educational and organized. Great tour guide and captain. Snacks, drinks and lunch were provided. Understand it’s not guaranteed that you will get to swim when the dolphins, their wild animals, but you will definitely get to see them. Book now if you’re thinking about!
Katherine_K, Apr 2024
Cannot recommend this enough. Informative guide, whole organization focused on sustainability, plus WE GOT TO SEE DOLPHINS. I know it's in the name, but really nothing describes the feeling of hearing the dolphin clicks in the water and seeing them examine you as you swim beside them. Truley amazing.
Kimberly_F, Mar 2024
This was an amazing trip. Michael was an amazing guide. We got to swim with dolphins, saw a baby humpback whale breaching the water, snorkled and saw lots of fish, then saw a manta ray, saw a huge pod of spotted dolphins and the baby humpback again. We took our kids and it was definitely a trip to remember and definitely recommend.
Magdalena_M, Mar 2024
We brought our kids (11 and 13) who had two different interests. One really wanted to see dolphins, the other wanted to snorkel. This experience provided the best of both worlds, in a humane experience for the dolphins. We learned so much about these amazing creatures, the tour left a lasting impression on our family and we are glad we did not choose to experience dolphins in captivity. The dolphins chose to swim on past our group in the water, but we were not left disappointed.
Lisa_P, Feb 2024
Maggie was an incredible guide who taught us so much. The dolphins were more interested in the whales than us but we still got to see a bunch and even got to get in the water and hear the humpbacks “songs”. The snorkeling was amazing as well. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Rachel_C, Jan 2024
We loved that you could hear the dolphins under water!!!! Christina was amazing and knowledgeable. And it’s awesome having a small group. The lunch is an added bonus. We’re doing it again!
miike_B, Jan 2024
The guide was very knowledgeable learned a lot about dolphins and Whales. My only critique is for the cost lunch was very low budget wouldn't hurt to step that up a bit.
Katrina_W, Oct 2023
What an exceptional experience! We had such an amazing morning with Michael and Raphael. We swam with dolphins multiple times, cruising to where the pod was moving and playing. Such an incredible up close and personal, yet very respectful experience enjoying the dolphins in their habitat, and letting them determine how interested and engaged they want to be. Michael was so knowledgeable and Raphael captained amazingly, finding wildlife everywhere. Strongly recommend the experience!
Nereida_R, Oct 2023
Margarita was so informative, which made the experience so much more interesting Margarita and the captain were kind and generous while assisting the children and handicapped
Ericka_S, Jul 2023
Very professional very knowledgeable very helpful. Awesome experience love being able to see animals and their natural habitat not artificial pool
Kimberlee_M, Jun 2023
This tour was so amazing. We got to see the dolphins up close. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate.
Donald_P, Jun 2023
Wonderful time with Rafael and Mike! We were lucky to find dolphins quickly, and did get to swim with several, we got to keep going and try 3 or 4 times, it was amazing! Mike was knowledgeable and helpful and Rafael was a skilled captain for our boat. The weather got rough so we couldn't snorkel at Los Arcos, but they spent the extra time to take us to another spot to snorkel that was great. We saw a ray, needless and countless others. We never felt rushed. Great time that we highly recommend!
Katie_F, Mar 2023
We had a great time as a family of 4 on the dolphin excursion. Michael and our captain (Ricardo?) They were patient, I formative and hospitable. There were whales in the area and they spent extra time letting us watch as a group before moving on to the next part of the trip. Highly recommended!
JamesS_G, Feb 2023
We saw lots of whales too. Lunch amonst the diving pelicans was also ann andded bonus. Micheal and Raphael were excellent guides.
Ryan_G, Dec 2022
Extremely well run operation, and fantastic staff - we had a wonderful time snorkeling with Dolphins!
Natalia_W, Dec 2022
We had a great time on this tour. We saw many dolphins and swam with them - an extraordinary experience. Our tour guide Megy is very knowledgeable and provides a lot of interesting information. The snorkeling wasn't as great as we've had in Hawaii - not so much diversity of fish and the water was blurry, but still, it was pretty good.
After all, it was a great experience, considering also that it was just 2 couples all together and we felt very comfortable.
Allen_H, Nov 2022
We booked the experience for my friend’s birthday and Maggie and Rafael did not disappoint. The whole process from booking to check-in was easy. Then the trip…WOW! We had such a great time and the knowledge of the crew helped to get us up close to dolphins, whales, sea turtles and more. They really connected with our group of 7 and made for an amazing birthday experience! Thank you Maggie and to Rafael our captain.
rachel_p, Oct 2022
An excellent experience overall. Our guide Maggie was friendly, helpful, and very informative. Meeting the dolphins in the water was a once in a lifetime memory.
From $110.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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