Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – A wave of excitement is sweeping across the Banderas Bay region as the first humpback whales – an advance party for the hundreds that will follow – have been officially sighted.
Tourist service providers are celebrating the early arrival of these magnificent animals, which traditionally mark the start of the winter season. The bay, already recognized as a crucial sanctuary for diverse marine life, is now welcoming back its most cherished visitors.
These enormous cetaceans undertake an immense annual journey, typically gracing the Pacific Ocean waters off Puerto Vallarta from November to April. They travel vast distances in search of the region’s tranquility and warmth, which provides the ideal conditions for them to give birth and care for their young. Biologists tracking their movements confirm that the whales’ arrival is often timed with the natural shifts of the California Current, a flowing body of dense water that moves south and influences the marine environment.
While the presence of the whales is a spectacular sight and is considered normal by the second half of November, the official whale watching season remains set for a later date, and all tours are currently prohibited.
The official start date for regulated whale observation activities in the waters of Jalisco and Nayarit, which encompasses Banderas Bay, is December 8, 2025. This regulated period will run until March 23, 2026. This schedule follows the official announcement of the 2025-2026 whale watching season by the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). The government notice establishes observation periods and authorized zones across eight coastal states, creating a framework for safe and responsible tourism.
The core mission of the regulation is to manage non-intrusive whale watching, ensuring that the natural habitats of the species are protected throughout their reproduction and migration cycles. Consequently, all navigation and observation permits explicitly exclude areas where mother whales and their calves congregate. This measure is vital, ensuring that these areas remain undisturbed, allowing the newborns to nurse and grow without interference.
The early return of these gentle giants signals a beautiful season ahead, underlining the region’s privilege in hosting such a profound natural event while upholding the highest standards of marine conservation.
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