With a wide variety of fish living in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta has become known as a leading destination for sportfishing. However, this beautiful bay offers much more than just a location to depart from for your next deep sea fishing tour.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are excellent in the Vallarta region, although don't expect the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. The best dives are around the rocky formations called Los Arcos near Mismaloya Beach, the Marietas Islands and several off-shore coral reefs.
Make room on your wall for a 300-pound marlin. Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta, like other Pacific Coast destinations, is world-class. Hire a cruiser for a half- or full-day excursion to chase down giants like blue, black and striped marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna. Or hire smaller skiffs to take you around the bay in search of smaller fighters like sea bass, snapper and roosterfish.
From December to March, Puerto Vallarta is visited by thousands of humpback, gray and killer whales that enter the warm bay waters to give birth to their young. During whale season, hop on one of the many whale watching cruises leaving from the Vallarta Marina and hope to catch one of these surprisingly large creatures leaping clear of the water and crashing down with a thundering splash.
Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle
Address: Paseo de la Marina 245, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354
Phone: 52-322-209-1128
Established in 2000, Master Baiter's Sportfishing and Tackle offers charters for beginning, experienced or professional fishermen on some of the most advanced boats available in Puerto Vallarta.
Mike’s Fishing Charters
Address: Mastil 2 Int 1 Col. Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48254
Phone: 52-322-221-1964
Mike’s Fishing Charters, located in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita, has one of the largest fleets with experienced captains and crew that will bring you to the best fishing spots. Mike’s offers a six- to seven-hour underwater tours to Los Arcos, Majahuitas or Marietas Islands. The friendly crew specializes in kids, families and first-time snorkelers.
Mr. Marlin Fleets
Address: Condominiums Puesta del Sol #16, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354
Phone: 52-322-221-0809
Mr. Marlin's Fleets fishing charters are hosted by billfish tournament champion Captain Juan Moll, whose record-setting catches of sailfish, mahi-mahi, dorado, marlin, tuna, roosterfish and red snapper are legendary on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Featured on ESPN's Sport Challenge and in several Marlin Magazine articles, Captain Moll and his crew have the experience to offer you an unforgettable day of fishing.
Puerto Vallarta Fishing
Address: Calle M. Dieguez #404 Col. Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48380
Phone: 52-322-222-4935
Puerto Vallarta Fishing offers top-rated service year-round. With trophy-size marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi and tuna, guest fishermen seldom go home empty-handed.
The Puerto Vallarta Fishing Company
Address: Corona # 269, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48300
Phone: 52-322-222-1863
Puerto Vallarta Fishing Company is a premiere fishing, sightseeing and snorkeling fleet. It offers quality and fast fishing boats with English-speaking crews.
PV Marlin Sportfishing
Address: Condominio Las Palmas, Local B, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354
Phone: 52-322-221-2462
PV Marlin Sportfishing has the only IGFA-approved weigh station in Puerto Vallarta. If you want to be recognized for that record fish or want to get into the 300 Tuna Club, PV Marlin can make it official. It’s also a member of the Bill Fish Foundation and has tag sticks and tags on board. PV Marlin Sportfishing was started and is run by an American who loves to fish and a native Puerto Vallartan who knows the local waters as well or better than anyone.
Amigos Surf Mexico
Address: Marina Nuevo Vallarta Dock B-16, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico 63733
Phone: 52-322-135-9172
Enjoy a day of surfing, deep sea fishing, whale watching, scuba diving or just cruising Banderas Bay in style aboard a yacht. Amigos Surf Mexico has been sailing Banderas Bay and the Pacific Coast of mainland Mexico since 1996.
Aquaventuras Park
Address: Carretera a Tepic Km. 155 S/N, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico 63732
Phone: 52-998-193-3360
The Dolphin Swim Adventure in Nuevo Vallarta will get you as close to the dolphins as you'd ever imagined. You can watch, play or interact with them in a variety of water games. The Sea Lion Discovery program includes feeding, petting and interacting with the sea lions while learning more about their habitat and diet. Kids will enjoy the swimming pool, river and playground.
Crucero Princesa
Snorkeling and whale watching
Address: Paseo de las Garzas 100 - B Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico 48333
Phone: 52-322-224-4777
Crucero Princesa is a new company that organizes trips around Banderas Bay, up north to the Marrietas Islands and to Pizola, an island located in the south of the bay. They organize trips to Yelapa, Animas, Quimixto, Mismaloya and Los Arcos. Crucero Princesa also offers all-inclusive services.
Vallarta Adventures
Address: Local 13-C, Calle Mástil, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico 48354
Phone: 52-322-223-0504
Experience an intimate encounter with Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Vallarta Adventures offers a wide range of educational and interactive programs geared towards dolphin lovers of all ages and abilities. The new sea lion program gives you the chance to learn more about these amazing, energetic and mischievous marine mammals in the most intimate of settings. From mid-December to the end of March, Banderas Bay offers some of the world's most spectacular whale watching opportunities. With Vallarta Adventure's exclusive spotter plane, the company can get you closer than you ever thought possible to witness these awesome creatures in action.
The warm, crystal clear waters of Banderas Bay and the Mexican Pacific are home to a vast array of sea life making Puerto Vallarta one of Mexico's top diving destinations. Vallarta Adventures' professional diving instructors combine their expertise with the utmost personal attention in scuba lessons for every level of PADI certification. Enjoy sea kayaking and snorkeling under the watchful eye of our expert guides. You'll discover incredible tropical ecosystems and secluded islands and beaches.