Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure

Martin was an excellent Captain and kept an eye out for dolphins so we'd get the chance to swim with them. Michael was an extraordinary guide, always making sure we got to see and do everything. The experience was totally amazing. We ended up with a private tour because of a cruise ship change I believe but I totally think whether it was just the 2 of us or 12 it would of been just as Amazing.

Highly recommend ECOTOURS Vallarta! They are so professional and welcoming and they made our day in Puerto Vallarta special. Noriela in the office helped us with scheduling, communicated very well, and did a wonderful job to accommodate us. Without her, we wouldn’t be able to make it to the tour. Micheal, our guide, and Martin, the captain were both knowledgeable and friendly. We had an educational session to learn about the marine animals, then sailed out to see several dolphins, and lastly had a snorkeling tour in one of the snorkeling spot. We didn’t swim with dolphins because the dolphins were speeding around and weren’t in the behavior where we can swim around them. The snorkeling spot was safe, had a lot of fishes, although the visibility today was limited. The dive shop was clean and organized. We’d recommend them as they are absolutely professional in this area:)

The minute I found out that I could swim with dolphins in the wild in Puerto Vallarta - I knew I had to make it happen🐬 They had originally signed us up with swimming with the dolphins and sea lions in a tank. When I found out, it was in a tank I made sure to let them know that I am very against that and that we only want to swim with them in the wild. We got lucky and had a private tour. They told us if more people didn’t sign up they may cancel it. I’m so glad they didn’t! Our guide Michael and Captain Martin were amazing! The day started off a little slow, but we never lost hope! Sure enough just a few minutes later, they found us a couple of dolphins that were calm and swimming slow, so we were able to get in and swim with them! It was the most beautiful experience seeing them so close and in their natural habitat. We got more time with the dolphins than I ever could’ve dreamed of. So when he told us, it was time to give them some space I was super fulfilled and more than happy to see them from the boat. We both thought that the tour might have just ended there, but they fed us some sandwiches and took us snorkeling at this beautiful secluded beach. Michael was able to tell us about all the species of fish and the marine birds. And on the way back - even more dolphins!!!😍 This excursion couldn’t have gone any better. I can’t wait to come back!🩵🐬

Maggie our guide and expert was so knowledgeable about the dolphins in the bay. This was an unforgettable experience. You can’t predict if dolphins will be there or will want to play that day. They are wild and have big personalities. Maggie worked so hard to make this experience happen, we got in the water a few times and the dolphins weren’t interested. Then when all hope was lost a male dolphin came to us and we got in with him. Being in the water with dolphins was a lifelong dream so this was incredible. If you want to experience wild dolphins this is the place to do it. Maggie knows what she is doing. Our boat operator Martin was also excellent and always got us so close to the dolphins to make the interaction possible. Thank you both for a magical trip.

This excursion was simply one of the great experiences of my life! We snorkeled and swam close-up with wild dolphins in the ocean. Maggie and Martin were wonderful hosts and provided a welcoming, fun, safe, educational environment. Maggie knew these dolphins like family! Seriously, if you are going to Puerto Vallarta, make this a priority!!! You don't need any prior experience snorkeling to do this. And, you don't have to be young to do it! I am in my late 60s.

What an incredible experience!

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

Dear team of Ecotours Vallarta, I am writing to express a formal complaint regarding the service received during the dolphin swimming tour, which proved to be exceptionally deficient in many respects. From the beginning, the experience was negative. During the office reception, the guide did not show up or generate a minimum of trust or connection with the group. Subsequently, the introductory discussion on dolphins and marine mammals was superficial and inaccessible, using unnecessary technicalities — for example, mentioning that dolphins feed on “cephalopods” without providing any explanation — which is inadequate considering that most participants have no specialized training. More worrying was the group’s handling during water activity. The tour involved three children, whom the guide virtually ignored. He never checked whether they could swim or had previous experience snorkeling, either with them or with adults. It merely stated that they should be taken to the water and followed, which represents a serious lack of basic safety protocols. Once in the water, the lack of leadership and guidance was evident. No clear instructions were given; the guide simply set about swimming behind the dolphins, as if he were the one to enjoy the tour, leaving the group without proper direction or accompaniment. Additionally, there were important communication inconsistencies: initially we were told that swimming with the dolphins would not be possible, and just a minute later we were asked to be ready to enter the water. Inquiring about the order of entry, we were told that we should all enter at the same time, despite the fact that the group consisted of four adults and three children, which is clearly inappropriate. During the dives, the lack of attention and care for guests was even more evident. When he returned to the boat, the guide was always the first to board, leaving the group behind unsupervised in the water. I didn't pay attention to whether everyone was out safely. In one case, one of the guests was stung by a jellyfish, and the guide did not know how to handle the situation or provide adequate assistance, again evidencing the lack of basic security and first aid preparation. I share this feedback from an informed perspective, having worked as a guide on whale watching tours, whale shark, monarch butterfly, jaguar and other experiences in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. I’ve even had the opportunity to collaborate with Ecotours before, so I find this level of service especially surprising, considering the high standards I know Astrid and Karel have set. I hope that this comment will be taken seriously and that the necessary measures will be implemented to prevent other users from having a similar experience. Attentively,

Wonderful experience, guide was very knowledgeable. While they can't guarantee that you will be able tl swim with the dolphins based on behavior and conditions, the opportunity was well worth it. In our trip we had the opportunity to swim twice and get pretty close to the dolphins. The sandwiches they provided for lunch was better quality than I expected from a tour, and the snorkeling in Los Arcos was a nice bonus.

A huge shout out to Captain Raphael and tour guide Francisco for creating an unforgettable experience. We encountered a large pod of dolphins almost immediately. They weren’t as interested in us being in the water as they were on a large school of fish they were feeding on. We had a front row seat to dolphins in the wild. Francisco had a wealth of knowledge including during the snorkelling portion. He has vast knowledge of the wildlife in the area. On the way back to the marina Captain Raphael spotted a massive stingray and took a detour so we could observe it. This was a very exciting and informational tour without the need of having animals in captivity. (Sorry if I spelled the names incorrectly).