Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta cruise is the timing: whale watching and sunset share the same three-hour outing. You search Banderas Bay for humpbacks, then watch the coast turn golden while the yacht heads back toward port.

I like the attentive service, with drinks and snacks brought to you so you do not have to abandon your viewing spot. I also like the boat itself, which offers comfortable seating in sun or shade, plus music and room for a bit of dancing. The main drawback is timing: check-in and departure can run late, and some sailings last four or five hours instead of three.

Quick points to know

• Whale season runs mainly from December through April, with some humpbacks arriving in early November.
• The open bar starts right away, with beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, soft drinks, coffee, juices, and water.
• Food is light but well suited to a boat ride, mainly fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, with ceviche included on some sailings.
• The boat can carry up to 115 people, so this is a lively group cruise rather than a quiet private charter.
• Bring a sweater or windbreaker, especially for the ride home after sunset.
• Choose your meeting point carefully when booking, since Puerto Vallarta has more than one pier and port area.

Whales and sunset in one Banderas Bay cruise

This outing works because it combines two very different moods. The first part is active and hopeful: you scan the water for a blow, a back, a fin, or the sudden white splash of a breach. The second part is slower, with the Puerto Vallarta shoreline glowing as daylight fades.

Banderas Bay is a major marine area and an important breeding and birthing ground for humpback whales. The boat does not follow a fixed wildlife route. The crew watches for activity and stays in contact with other boats, then heads toward the best current sighting area.

That flexibility matters. Whales are wild animals, not scheduled performers. On one outing, you might find them near the Vallarta shoreline. On another, the boat may travel toward a more secluded bay or farther across the bay toward La Cruz. The crew goes where the activity is.

The cruise is also designed for more than wildlife. You get broad views of the coast, the bay, and Puerto Vallarta from the water. After dark, the return trip offers a different view, with the city lights along the shoreline.

What the three-hour route feels like

The published duration is about three hours, but I would treat that as an estimate rather than a promise. The actual time can be longer if boarding is delayed, if port traffic slows the departure, or if the crew stays with an active whale sighting. Some outings have taken about four to five hours from check-in to return.

The route itself has two main parts. Roughly two hours are spent cruising through Banderas Bay and looking for whales and other marine life. The remaining time is tied to onboard service, departure, return, and the sunset portion of the trip.

There is no admission charge for the bay itself. Your ticket covers the cruise, onboard service, and listed refreshments. You are not visiting a separate attraction with a formal shore stop, so the main event is the time spent on the yacht.

You may see humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. Some outings have produced spectacular numbers, including multiple groups of whales, large dolphin pods, and breaching animals. Still, sightings cannot be guaranteed, particularly late in the season or outside the official whale period.

Getting through the port without confusion

Your meeting point matters. You must select it before completing the booking, and it is worth checking the name and location twice before the day of the cruise. A wrong pier can create unnecessary stress, although the staff has helped people reach the correct departure point when mistakes happened.

If you are leaving from Puerto Magico or the cruise terminal, allow time for federal maritime security. Passengers pass through screening and may be subject to searches for drugs, alcohol, weapons, liquids, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices. The no-drug policy is strict, and the instructions specifically say not to bring these items.

The port process can also affect the start time. Some people have been asked to arrive well before the boat is ready, then waited while other activities finished or while the group was assembled. In practice, the boat may not leave exactly at the posted time.

I would arrive as instructed, but I would not schedule a dinner reservation immediately after the advertised return. Port checks, marina traffic, delayed boarding, and wildlife sightings can all stretch the outing.

The mega yacht, seating, and group size

This is a large yacht experience, with a maximum capacity of 115 people. Some departures may carry far fewer, but you should plan for a social boat with a lively atmosphere rather than a small skiff and a quiet guide.

The boat has comfortable seating, with options in sun or shade. Arriving early may help you choose the spot you prefer, especially if you want a clear view from the side or a seat protected from the wind.

The size has clear advantages. A larger yacht gives you room to move, more than one viewing area, and a steadier platform than a small open boat may provide. It also supports a full bar, food service, music, and a crew large enough to serve people around the vessel.

The tradeoff is that boarding and disembarking can take longer. If several groups are using the same port area, finding the right check-in staff may not be instant. Once underway, though, the larger boat makes it easier to change positions and look for wildlife from different angles.

Whale watching during the December to April season

The official whale season is December through April, with some humpbacks arriving as early as November. If whales are your main reason for booking, I would choose the heart of the season rather than count on a late-April sailing.

Humpbacks use Banderas Bay as a breeding and birthing area. That gives the cruise a meaningful natural setting, not just a scenic ride with a chance of spotting something. The whales may be traveling, surfacing, breaching, or moving with calves, but their behavior is never predictable.

The crew communicates with other boats and keeps searching. This is useful because the first sighting is not always near the departure point. You might spend time scanning apparently empty water before the call goes out that whales have been spotted.

Keep your expectations sensible. A strong whale day can include repeated sightings, mother-and-calf pairs, breaches, and dolphins nearby. A weaker day can still offer the sunset, coastline, and a pleasant ride, but there is no guarantee of a dramatic show.

One outing outside the main whale season produced no whales, yet the sunset, drinks, snacks, and service still made the trip worthwhile for that passenger. That is a good clue about how to decide: book this as a sunset cruise with whale watching, not as a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Open bar, guacamole, and light snacks

The bar opens as soon as service begins. Included drinks cover mineral water, coffee, juices, sodas, beer, tequila, wine, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices.

The crew brings drinks to people around the boat, which is especially helpful when whales appear. You can keep watching instead of standing in a bar line or leaving the rail at the wrong moment.

The food is simple and suited to a moving boat. Fresh guacamole and blue corn chips are the standard snack. Some accounts also describe ceviche, so the exact food offering may vary by sailing or service setup. Expect enough to take the edge off hunger, not a full dinner.

If food is your priority, this is not the right type of cruise. The value comes from combining refreshments, wildlife viewing, music, and sunset in one package. Plan a proper meal before or after, especially if you have a late return.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Since this is an open bar, the mood can become quite festive as the afternoon progresses. That will suit couples, friends, and families looking for music and dancing. It may not suit someone wanting a hushed naturalist outing.

The crew, music, and onboard mood

Service is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Crew members circulate with drinks and food, help explain expectations, and keep an eye on the viewing areas. Guides including Luis and Isaiah have been singled out for making the ride both informative and fun.

The atmosphere changes as the cruise continues. Early on, people are focused on the water and the next possible sighting. Later, music becomes more prominent, and dancing may break out as the yacht returns under the evening sky.

That mix is worth understanding before you book. This is not a silent research vessel. It is a social sunset cruise with a wildlife focus. The music adds energy and makes the return trip fun, but it can be a distraction if your ideal whale outing calls for quiet and careful listening.

The crew also serves food directly to people seated around the boat. That small detail has real value. Whale sightings can last only moments, and missing one while collecting a snack is frustrating. Having service come to you lets you stay alert.

What the price includes at $80

At $80 per person, the value is strongest if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for a yacht cruise, whale-searching crew, sunset views, a full open bar, snacks, onboard service, music, and access to the bay without arranging separate transportation on the water.

The drink selection alone is broader than what you would get on a basic sightseeing boat. The food is modest, but the fresh guacamole, chips, and possible ceviche fit the casual setting. You also avoid paying extra for each drink during the cruise.

The price does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, gratuities, or souvenir photos. Transportation to the selected meeting point is your responsibility. Gratuities are optional, but I would budget for one if the crew gives you attentive service.

The tour also appears to include the port security fee, according to the onboard experience described by one passenger. Check the current booking details for the exact inclusions, since port procedures and fees can change.

For a couple or family that wants one easy evening activity, $80 is reasonable. For someone who wants a guaranteed whale sighting or a substantial meal, the value is less certain.

What to bring and who should book

Bring a sweater, blanket, windbreaker, or light pants. Even warm Puerto Vallarta can feel cool once the sun drops, and the ride back across the bay may be windy.

Wear practical clothing and shoes suitable for walking through a port and moving around a boat. Keep your hands free for rail watching and your phone or camera secure near the water. Do not bring prohibited liquids, vaping devices, weapons, or drugs into the maritime port.

I think this cruise suits:

• Couples wanting a sunset outing with drinks and coastal views
• Families who enjoy wildlife, music, and a lively boat
• Friends looking for an easy social evening on the water
• Solo visitors who like organized activities and onboard service
• Anyone visiting during peak humpback season

I would hesitate if you need a firm three-hour schedule, dislike group activities, or want a quiet naturalist cruise. I would also avoid making this your only whale option if you are visiting outside December through April.

Should you book the Chica Locca sunset whale cruise?

Yes, if you want a social, all-inclusive evening that mixes whale watching with a sunset, open bar, snacks, and music. The strongest reasons to book are the comfortable yacht, attentive drink service, flexible whale-searching route, and the chance to see dolphins as well as humpbacks.

Book with a little schedule space around it. The most consistent criticism is not the cruise itself, but delayed boarding and longer-than-advertised return times. If you accept that uncertainty, the $80 price gives you a lot for one evening on Banderas Bay.

If you are booking during the main whale season, I would choose this tour for the full combination of nature and entertainment. If you are outside whale season, book it mainly for the sunset cruise and open bar, with wildlife as a bonus.

FAQ

When is whale season in Puerto Vallarta?

The official whale season runs from December through April. Some humpback whales may arrive as early as November.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is approximately three hours. Departure delays, port traffic, docking, or extended whale watching can make the overall outing longer.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes mineral water, coffee, juices, sodas, beer, tequila, wine, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other beverages.

What food is included?

Fresh guacamole and blue corn chips are included. Ceviche may also be served on some sailings.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must select and reach your meeting point before the reservation is completed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. If weather or minimum participation cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.