Mexico

Mexico: where the ocean is alive

Mexico is definitely a great place for whale watching, with Cabo being the most famous destination. Everyone heads to Cabo for whale watching, but it’s not the only spot. I’ve spent a few seasons exploring other areas, particularly along the Pacific coast, including Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Puerto Escondido. 

Huatulco: The main species you’ll encounter is the humpback whale, which is present during the breeding season in winter, but all year around you will have dolphins swimming in the area.

Unlike more established whale-watching destinations, there very few companies that actually offer dedicated whale-watching tours.

In Huatulco area there are regulations in place for whale watching, a minimum distance from the animals of 60 meters, a low speed of 5 knots, a maximum of 4 boats around the animals. The big problem here is enforcement. Enforce these rules and make sure that everyone follow them is the challenge. Most whale-watching happens informally—tourists simply go to the marina, hire a boat for a bay tour, and if whales are spotted along the way, the boat stops. The problem is that, especially near the shore, you can sometimes find 10 to 20 boats surrounding the whales, which is harmful to the animals. 

This is why I strongly recommend Oceanico. This is a company I worked for and they follow a proper code of conduct and ensure responsible whale-watching practices. It is really important to avoid going with random boat operators who don’t have the necessary knowledge on how to approach the whales correctly. Not only it is disruptive to the animals, but you also won’t learn much about them. Oceanico provide for sure a great experience. Peter the owner will always put the welfare of the animals first and you will receive a huge amount of information and knowledge about the animals which is the key of the experience. Oceanico is also involved in different research projects and this is another thing to consider when you are choosing a whale watching company. Your trip and part of your money is a way to contribute to the science and research to learn more about these incredible creature.

Cabo san Lucas: If i can describe cabo with one word I will go with messy! When I arrived I was shocked about the number of boats in the area. Anybody that has a boat is bringing people out to see the whales. The result is overwhelming! You can have a whale surrounded by 10-20 boats, whale watching boats, fishing boats, incredible fancy yachts with loud music! all of these was something painful to witness, but despite all of these, it is still an outstanding location for whale watching. The key is choosing the right company. Personally, I recommend Whale Watching Cabo because I had a great experience with them. One crucial aspect is that they always have a marine biologist on board, which is something you should always check before booking a tour. It’s not just about having a captain steering the boat, but also about having a knowledgeable guide who understands whale behaviour and can interpret their signals. 

For example, this company carefully monitors the animals’ behaviour—if the whales show signs of stress, they move on and leave them undisturbed. They also try to avoid crowded areas where too many boats are present, opting instead to search for whales in quieter locations. This approach helps minimise stress on the animals while still providing an incredible whale-watching experience.