Puerto Escondido Tours: 15 Lined Up by Price and Hours

1.Boat Tour to see Dolphins and Marine Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 467 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $46Our pick

Join MikeTours from Puerto Angelito for a 2.5 to 3-hour search for dolphins, turtles, rays, birds, and seasonal humpback whales. Guides Mike or Hector lead private or small groups in English and Spanish. You may swim near dolphins and turtles, snorkel by shore, and play your own music from the boat’s Bluetooth speaker.

“This was amazing - the guide knew exactly where to go. We even saw a whale, which we weren’t expecting! We were given several opportunities to jump off the boat and swim, including with the dolphins.”

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2.Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Set out from Puerto Escondido at 7am with Omar’s Sportfishing to search for four kinds of wild dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles, rays, and seabirds. Guides such as Alex, Johnny, Fernando, and José share marine-life facts while a small boat carries up to 10 people. Swimming or snorkeling may be possible, but jellyfish and sea conditions can prevent it.

“We had a great experience with Alex! He took his time and knew where to look. We saw sea turtles, manta rays, and a large school of dolphins. The highlight was seeing 7 whales, including 2 pairs of calf/mother whales! Only downside was that we did not swim with the dolphins as advertised. We took a dip in the ocean, but it was probably not safe to join the dolphins, but we would have liked to know it wasn't an option in advance.”

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3.Guided tour of an ancestral Mezcal distillery with transport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

Visit a family-run mezcal distillery near Puerto Escondido with Antoine and his team. Learn how agave becomes mezcal, see the artisanal process, and taste six house-made spirits with guacamole, peanuts, and chapulines. Hotel pickup is included within Puerto Escondido, with an extra charge outside town.

“This was a great and informative your. Such a personal look into the family connection and pride of the generations making mezcal. Adele was wonderful translating sharing so much information. The mezcal was delicious! I cannot recommend this experience more.”

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4.Turtle Release Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 228 reviews · 2 hours · from $40Best value

You’ll ride from your Puerto Escondido hotel to a protected beach, meet local turtle conservation workers, learn how endangered sea turtles are protected, and release one hatchling from a coconut shell. Guides such as Edgar, Carlos, Jamie, and Natalie have led excellent sessions, though English coverage can vary.

“We loved it. Carlos was very friendly and informative about the turtles. Picked up at the hotel and a short 30 minute ride to the conservation. The experience itself was very beautiful. A lovely way to connect with nature and play a part in liberating the turtles. Highly recommended as an activity to do.”

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5.2-Hour Surf Lesson in the Waves of Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend two hours learning to surf with Silva Surf School in Puerto Escondido. Your instructor covers water safety, pop-up technique, and wave selection before coaching you in the sea. Lessons suit beginners and intermediate surfers, with boards, leashes, and rashguards included. The group limit is eight, and the beach may change to find better conditions.

“Had an amazing time yesterday on the water. I skate and always wanted to learn how to surf. Instructor Oni picked us up in La punta and took us to a spot where the waves were better and no other surfers our tourists. After learning pop up techniques and few times wiping out I finally caught a few waves! He was a great instructor and this is an awesome experience for sure! I recommend bringing a bottle of water.”

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6.Boat Trip to See Marine Life in Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Join Omar’s Sportfishing from Playa Puerto Angelito for a three-hour coastal and offshore search for dolphins, migrating humpback whales, turtles, rays, and other marine life. Captain Alex and a multilingual crew lead groups of up to 10. Hotel pickup, bottled water, and snorkeling gear are included, but wildlife sightings depend on nature.

“Amazing crew that did so much to ensure we saw whales, dolphins, and turtles. The crew made sure we were out the earliest so we were first to see the whales before they were disturbed by other boats. Incredible time that I would recommend and love to do again! The wind was quite strong making the sea quite choppy but the crew made sure to check in to ensure we were okay and made sure we were safe!”

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7.Dolphin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Start around 7:00 am with pickup in Puerto Escondido, then head offshore on a shaded boat with a local guide. Look for dolphins, turtles, seabirds, mobula rays, flying fish, and humpback whales from November to March. Guides including Juan Carlos, Adriel, Carlos, and Edgar have earned praise for their care and boat skills.

“Didn't have Trip ... Went to Puerto Escondido at agreed time but could not find designated beach ... No signage and locals we talked with didn't know of beach ... Are we talking about the same Puerto Escondido (south of Loreto Bay)? ... So, we missed a gorgeous day and we're out of pocket a fair bit of money”

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8.Oaxaca Coast Wildlife Ecotour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 82 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Travel from Puerto Escondido to La Ventanilla’s mangroves, where a boat ride brings you near crocodiles, turtles, and many birds. Continue to Mazunte, Zipolite, and Estacahuite Beach with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Edgar is one guide praised for his clear explanations and patient manner. Food, drinks, and the MXN 250 boat ticket cost extra.

“The hilight was the wildlife tour in the mangrove swaps. close encounters worth salt water cross, iguanas, turtles, vultures, regrets, herons, ibis..... remarkable experience, great value for money. Edgar, our guide for a second time was excelent, knowledgeable, charming and patient. highly recommended.”

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9.Surfing Lessons in Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 71 reviews · from $54

Spend two hours learning to surf with Bazar Puerto Surf Lessons at Carrizalillo Beach or La Punta Zicatela. Your instructor covers board control, paddling, standing, and water safety before coaching you through the waves. English and Spanish lessons are limited to six people, with surfboard, leash, rash guard, and zinc sunscreen included.

“Juan and Joy were incredible instructors who helped my girlfriend and I become more confident surfing. Juan was patient with my girlfriend as she was less confident but thanks to him her confidence increased a lot. Joy was amazing, helped push me onto riding bigger waves and increased my confidence and form a lot! We would definitely recommend choosing Bazar Puerto Surf Team if you’re in Puerto Escondido!”

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10.Half-Day Tour to Ventanilla, Mazunte, Zipolite and Puerto Angel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $59

Travel from Huatulco to Ventanilla, Mazunte, Zipolite, and Puerto Ángel with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide. See crocodiles and mangroves, sample mezcal, chocolate, coffee, mole, and local foods, pause at a coastal lookout, and enjoy beach time. Israel and Edgar are praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“The lagoon boat ride was very limited in length and sights. Saw 2 crocs and a handful of birds in sweltering heat. The “island” was several feet away and had caged animals. Mazunte featured a variety of mezcal tastings. Zipolite beach 1 hour free time (partially nude beach). Angel beach recommended restaurant seemed good. Some people got freshly caught grilled lobster but my “tower of seafood” made me sick.”

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11.Bioluminescent Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Travel about 20 minutes from Puerto Escondido to Manialtepec Lagoon, then take a boat into warm water lit by bioluminescent plankton. Local guides lead the evening, with pickup from hotels or Airbnbs, English offered, and groups capped at 15. Guides including Mario, Ramsey, and Johnny have received praise for their humor and care.

“Such an incredible experience! It’s so worth it! The night sky was also breathtaking. Highly recommend.”

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12.Aguas Termales a Caballo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Travel from Puerto Escondido to San José Manialtepec, meet a local farming family, watch tortillas being made, then ride calm horses for about 50 minutes across the Manialtepec River to five thermal pools. English-speaking guides such as Willy, Carlos, and Jamie may lead the day. Expect a private, rural outing with swimming, drinks, and plenty of mountain scenery.

“Amazing experience. Our driver Carlos was amazing and very knowledgeable. Took us to the town where we would be riding the horses, we met Jamie which was our tour guide and he made the experience a 20/10. Definitely would recommend.”

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13.Bioluminescence IN Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 57 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $57

From Puerto Escondido, you ride by air-conditioned vehicle to a nearby lagoon after dark, then board a local boat to see bioluminescent water. You get about 40 minutes on the water, with time to swim if conditions allow. Pickup covers many hotels, and private or small-group options are available.

“meine abholzeit war 19:50, um 20:02 bekam ich die Info, dass die Tour ausfällt. heute tut der Guide so, als wäre die Buchung heute, wahrscheinlich um mir mein Geld nicht zurück geben zu müssen. Bucht da nicht, vor Ort findet ihr seriöse Touranbieter”

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14.Boat Tour among Dolphins and Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 52 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Start at 7:00 AM with hotel pickup in Puerto Escondido, then board a sightseeing boat for three hours on the Pacific. Your English or Spanish-speaking guide and captain will search for dolphins, sea turtles, and migrating whales. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and swimming is not part of this cruise.

“Super expérience, réservée à la dernière minute. On vous amène sur un petit bateau, on vous donne masque et tuba et hop on saute à l’eau parmi les dauphins. Une expérience inédite! Je déconseille juste d’acheter le café auprès des marchands ambulants de la plage car il est vraiment pas terrible”

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15.Bioluminescence Night Spectacle

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 45 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $46

After sunset, your English or Spanish-speaking guide collects you at your Puerto Escondido hotel and takes you to Manialtepec Lagoon. A night boat ride reveals water that glows white or blue when touched. You may swim in it, though moonlight, insects, and basic dock conditions can affect the experience.

“Llegamos y la embarcación no estaba lista. Poca iluminación en el muelle de espera.”

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