Whales and guacamole are a weirdly perfect combo. This private sailing tour around a national park gives you great whale-spotting time from the water, plus hands-on food that people keep talking about—especially the boat-made guacamole. The crew includes Ricky Ricardo, and the vibe is relaxed, friendly, and easy for families.

The main thing to keep in mind is also the nature thing: whales show up when they want. If the sea or timing doesn’t cooperate, you’ll still get a beautiful sail and a real shot at seeing them, but sightings are never guaranteed.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Private group sailing up to 15, so you’re not stuck sharing space with strangers
• Whales search from near a national park view, with the boat positioned for watching from the water
• Guacamole made right on the boat, plus snacks and bottled water included
• Ricky Ricardo and the crew bring a calm, helpful style that keeps the day moving
• Two washrooms onboard, a small comfort that feels like a big deal on a 4-hour outing

A Private Whale Watching Sailing Tour From Marina Vallarta (Not a Crowded Day Trip)

Puerto Vallarta is great for boat days, and this one leans into the good version of it: private. You get a private tour/activity, which means your group sets the pace instead of waiting your turn with a big lineup. With a duration of about 4 hours and a 9:00 am start, it’s the kind of plan that gets you out early, catches good daylight for spotting, and still leaves your afternoon open.

It’s also the kind of tour that draws attention ahead of time. This experience is commonly booked about 53 days in advance, which usually means people are paying attention to whale-season windows and wanting a specific morning slot. If you’re traveling in a busy period, booking earlier helps you lock in the start time you want.

Price is listed as $832.52 per group (up to 15). That matters, because the value is about who’s splitting the cost with you, not just the headline number. If you roll in as a family or a small group, it can work out surprisingly sensible. If it’s just you two, you’ll feel the private premium more.

Proa, Marina Vallarta: Getting Started Smoothly at 9:00 am

Your meeting point is Proa, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and the tour ends right back there. The start time is 9:00 am, and the whole outing runs about 4 hours.

That return-to-marina detail is practical. You don’t spend the day figuring out how to get back, and you can plan a post-tour lunch without stress. It also helps with timing if you’re pairing this with other Vallarta activities.

For a boat day, I always plan like the trip might run a bit “boat-real.” Bring what you’d want for sun and a light sea breeze: sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a layer if you run cool. If you’re sensitive to motion, it’s smart to prepare for that too. Nothing about the tour suggests it’s rough—just that it’s time on open water, and you’ll want to be comfortable.

The tour is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is provided. You’ll receive confirmation at booking, so you’re not guessing what’s happening when you arrive.

The Main Event: Searching for Whales From Afar Near the National Park

The tour’s core experience is simple and focused: you sail and look for whales from near a national park vantage. The wording is “from afar,” and that’s actually a good sign for how to expect whale watching here. You’re not chasing close-up encounters. You’re watching carefully, using the boat’s position and the wider view to scan for spouts, movement, and activity.

On days when whales are around, it tends to feel like the animals are putting on a show. One family highlighted that the whales were out to show off, and that’s the kind of moment you remember—the quiet pause on the water when everyone suddenly points and the boat seems to fall silent for a second.

But here’s the balanced take: you’re dealing with mother nature. Even with good crew positioning, whales are still whales. If nothing appears quickly, don’t panic. Whale watching often works on patience and repeated scanning, not instant results.

Also, expect the day to feel like a sail first and a search second. You’re on the water for about 4 hours, so the journey isn’t just a taxi ride to a moment—it’s the experience. Even if you don’t see whales on your first scan, you’ll still get that open-water feeling and a real sense of place watching the coast and national park area from the sea.

Boat Comfort Wins: Water, Washrooms, and Food That Isn’t an Afterthought

This tour includes bottled water plus snacks: guacamole and dry snacks. That’s not just a checkbox. It’s part of keeping the day smooth, especially for families and mixed-age groups. A boat outing can feel longer than expected once sun hits and everyone’s getting thirsty, so having water ready helps.

Then there’s the food detail that keeps showing up in the best way: people rave about the guacamole. One review called it the best they’d had in a long time, and another described guacamole served and prepared right on the boat. That matters because it turns the meal from a “we packed something” situation into an actual moment of the tour.

You’ll also find mention of fresh fruit and a fruit plate in the experience write-ups. So yes, you’re getting more than just a salty snack vibe. It feels like someone on the crew understands what makes a boat day enjoyable, not just possible.

One small but huge comfort: the boat has two washrooms. On a 4-hour tour, that can save everyone from the awkward logistics that ruin an otherwise great outing.

Ricky Ricardo and the Crew: Friendly, Extra-Mile Service Without the Fuss

The crew at Anamar Sailing Adventures shows up in the reviews with the same theme: friendly service and going the extra mile. One guest specifically mentioned Ricky Ricardo and crew as excellent guides with a strong grasp of what they were doing.

Even without naming every method, I read this as a practical advantage for you. In whale watching, the people matter. It’s not only about where the boat goes; it’s also about how they manage expectations, how they point things out, and how they keep everyone comfortable and engaged while you scan the water.

You’ll likely feel that attention in the small ways—like food served properly on board, and the overall calm you get when the team has a plan. It also helps if your group includes kids or adults who aren’t super confident about being on a boat. A good crew makes the day feel simple instead of stressful.

How the $832.52 Price Works for Groups Up to 15

The price listed is $832.52 per group, up to 15 people. That’s the big key to value.

If you split this among a handful of people—say, a family group or friends—the effective cost per person drops fast, because the tour isn’t priced per head. At the top end, $832.52 divided by 15 is about $55.50 per person (math based on the tour’s own cap). If you don’t fill the boat, the price per person goes up, but you still get the benefits of a private group day.

Here’s the real decision point: whether you want private more than you want cheap. A private whale watching sailing tour tends to appeal to groups that want better control—less waiting, less sharing, more attention to your group. It’s a good choice when you’re traveling with family and want everyone together for a shared “one big activity” moment.

And with this tour’s inclusions—water, snacks, guacamole—it’s not just paying for sitting on a boat. You’re paying for the whole experience package for your group size.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Reconsider)

This is a strong fit for:

• Families looking for a morning activity with food included and comfort details like washrooms
• Small groups who want privacy and don’t want to squeeze into a larger crowd setup
• People who care about the food being part of the day, not a token snack

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re traveling solo or as a couple and you want the lowest possible cost, because the price is per group
• You’re the kind of traveler who gets upset when wildlife doesn’t appear instantly. Whale watching is nature-driven, and you’re signing up for the chance, not a promised guarantee

That said, the tour is designed for most travelers to participate, and service animals are allowed. So for many groups, it’s an easy-to-say-yes-to plan.

Practical Tips Before You Book (So the Day Feels Easy)

A few things to check in your planning:

• Start time matters. This is a 9:00 am departure, so give yourself buffer time to get to Proa, Marina Vallarta.
• Bring patience for wildlife. The schedule is set for whale searching, but whales are outside anyone’s control.
• Use the mobile ticket. Confirmation comes at booking, and you’ll have what you need on your phone.
• Know the food is part of the experience. If guacamole and snacks matter to you, this is the tour that people mention again and again.

One more note: cancellations aren’t flexible. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If your plans are uncertain, it’s worth double-checking your trip timing before you lock it in.

Should You Book This Private Sailing Whale Watch?

I’d book it if you want a private 4-hour whale watching day that’s also genuinely enjoyable to sit through. The best sign is how often the food and service show up as a highlight—especially guacamole made on the boat and the friendly, extra-mile crew. Add in the included water, snacks, and the fact that there are two onboard washrooms, and it reads like a well-run outing, not a rushed tour.

If you’re on a tight budget or only traveling as a small duo, you might feel the group-based pricing more strongly. And if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, this isn’t that kind of nature experience.

If you’re flexible and you like the idea of a calm morning on the water with the chance to spot whales near a national park setting, this one is a strong yes.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Proa, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

How long is the whale watching sailing tour?

The duration is approximately 4 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $832.52 per group, with a maximum group size of up to 15.

Is this a private tour or shared with other groups?

This is a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What’s included with the tour?

Included items are bottled water and snacks, including guacamole and dry snacks.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Will I get confirmation after booking?

You’ll receive confirmation at the time of booking.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is the boat equipped with washrooms?

Yes, the boat has two washrooms.

Cancellation changes and refunds allowed?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.