Puerto Vallarta, A Sanctuary Destination
Puerto Vallarta is a sanctuary destination, not only for fellow travelers but also for incredible creatures, among them Humpback whales.
These species receive their namesake thanks to the distinctive ‘hump’ on their backs and grow up to an astounding 40-50 feet during their life cycle.
According to NOAA, their Latin name Megaptera Novaeangliae means ‘big-winged’ from ‘New England’, where European whalers first encountered them.
Puerto Vallarta’s Sactuary for Humpback Whales
Every year an estimated 26,000 whales make their way towards the coast of Mexico. The top wintering sites include the Laguna San Ignacio, in Baja California and coast of Guerrero (aprox. 550 km SE of Puerto Vallarta).
Which means that the warmer waters of the Bay of Banderas in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, are an additional site of the Mexican coast where these animals spend the winter and seek out their reproduction mates.
According to Vallarta’s official tourism site “every year, from December to March, the nomadic song of humpback whales (whose vocalizations can reach distances of up to 6,200 miles) and their calves flood the warm waters of Puerto Vallarta‘s ocean.
Humpback whales vocalizations can reach distances of up to 6,200 miles
Establishing the whale watching season from January and February, although the migration season typically runs from December through March.”
The bay of Banderas, along with Punta Mita and La Cruz Marina, is a safe haven for these creatures, providing them with a sheltered ecosystem to cradle their younglings, and nurture their growth with their primary food source, the tiny crustaceans that abound all around the bay. An ecosystem they share with other mammals, such as Spinner and Rough-toothed dolphins.
Puerto Vallarta is a sanctuary destination for those who visit, offering a variety of revitalizing activities and retreats, But none of them are as uplifting as the experience of observing these whales in their natural habitats.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about Vallarta’s preservation and research projects when visiting the area, and check out the Naval Museum for additional insights into the history of Puerto Vallarta.
But most importantly, don’t forget to bring your binoculars when taking one of Puerto Vallarta Catamaran tours!.