The Majesty of Humpback Whales in Banderas Bay: Beyond the Aquatic Ballet of Leaps, Songs and Flukes

Every year, the lush Banderas Bay becomes the perfect stage to witness one of nature’s most fascinating spectacles: the arrival of majestic humpback whales, who have become some of Vallarta · Nayarit’s most special guests.

Through a captivating conversation with the experienced journalist and photographer Eduardo Lugo, who has dedicated over 30 years to studying these giant mammals and capturing wildlife images through his lens, the Vallarta Lifestyles editorial team presents this special article sharing some revealing details about this marine species.

Enjoy!

An Epic Journey: From Canada to Banderas Bay
The humpback whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) is a migratory species, whose presence has been documented in the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Costa Rica.

Whales visiting the lush Banderas Bay mostly come from the seas off the US states of California (northern part), Oregon, Washington, and even from Vancouver and British Columbia in Canada. Some travel almost 5,000 kilometers, which can mean a journey of up to four months.

“The coastal strip they cross during their migrations is mainly a volcanic zone—Hawaii, Revillagigedo, the Dominican Republic, etc.—which has excellent acoustics, contributing to the male’s song, the second loudest on the planet, spreading even more in the marine depths,” adds Eduardo.

Humpback whales come to Banderas Bay either to mate or give birth to their calves: “The male first courts the female, and then mates with her. Since the gestation period is about 11 months, the females return to the northern waters, and the following year, they come to the bay with the intention of giving birth.”

Songs and Leaps: The Mating Ballet
According to our expert, the actual impulses that drive males to sing are still undetermined: “There really is no scientific study that provides certainty about this, but it is thought that this beautiful sound may be used to attract the female and/or mark their territory.”

From early December to late March, humpback whales can be found in Banderas Bay, enjoying the calm and shallow waters that are ideal in temperature and characteristics to begin or continue their life cycle.

“This phenomenon gives us the unique opportunity to observe groups of males on the surface to witness their leaps, tail slaps, and fluke displays, which are distinctive courtship behaviors. Similarly, in other cases, you can see females playing and/or swimming with their calves,” he explains.

Orcas and Gray Whales: More Guests in the Bay
Over the years, Banderas Bay has witnessed the presence of other species such as orcas, the main predators of humpback whales. It is worth noting that these creatures also make similar journeys in search of their food.

“On the other hand, the presence of grey whales in Banderas Bay has been registered, although there have been few sightings. However, most of the time it is just a pause to orientate themselves and find their migratory route,” he points out.

Identification as a Means of Documentation: Catalog of Humpback Whales
Formally, the study of humpback whales in Banderas Bay began in the late 1980s, when the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) began sending teams of researchers to identify specimens arriving in the waters of our destination. “That was the origin of an ambitious project called ‘Catalog of Humpback Whale Identification,’ which basically consists of photographing their tails as they are about to dive. In addition, each of these marine mammals has a color pattern ranging from completely white to completely black. These features together act as their fingerprint.”

“I am originally from Mexico City and I first came to Puerto Vallarta in 1991, precisely when one of those UNAM teams invited me to photograph whales,” he recalls.

The aim of this catalog is to collect information in order to understand the behavior of the whales and their migratory route. In this way, it is estimated that approximately 1,100 whales arrive in Banderas Bay each season.

Respect and Conservation: Whale Watching Regulations
Whale watching in Banderas Bay is regulated by NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010. This Official Mexican Standard establishes guidelines and specifications to ensure the protection of these mammals and the conservation of their natural habitat.

“Explained briefly, this NOM indicates that small vessels—less than 35 feet—must stay at least 60 meters away from where the whales are emerging. If the vessel is larger, it must stay at least 80 meters away. No more than three vessels may observe the same pod of whales. If other vessels (of any size) coincide nearby, they must be placed at a distance of 240 meters, defined as a ‘Waiting Zone.’ In any case, the maximum observation time is 30 minutes,” he notes.

Eduardo adds: “The aim of complying with this standard is to help visitors better appreciate them. At the same time, it prevents stress in cetaceans and avoids the vessel from coming between the mother and the calf.”

On the other hand, the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) is the government agency responsible for granting permits to companies so that their vessels can carry out whale watching tours in Banderas Bay.

Whale Calves: Their First Objectives
When a calf is born in Banderas Bay, it has to perform two primary activities: feeding and gaining strength for a journey of approximately 3,000 kilometers. The mother’s milk is essential at this stage, but if calves are disturbed on the surface, their ability to feed is compromised. Eduardo Lugo emphasizes the importance of respecting this sensitive period for the whale calves by following to the NOM recommendations.

Whale Watching Tour: Recommendations
Eduardo shares his wise recommendations when choosing a company for a whale-watching tour: “January and February are when the encounter with these majestic creatures is most impressive, as these months have the highest number of cetaceans in the bay. Next is to choose certified services, where providers are continuously trained.”

Eduardo Lugo
In 2000, he founded Wildlife Connection with his wife, biologist Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez. Based in Puerto Vallarta, this ecotourism company promotes an environmental culture focused on conservation.

Humpback Whales and Their Visit to the Bay: A Unique Experience
Vallarta · Nayarit is proud of its natural wealth and the dedication of people like Eduardo Lugo who work tirelessly to preserve it. With islands, seas, waterfalls, jungles, mountains, estuaries and more, this destination offers not only visual beauty but also world-class ecotourism experiences.

Photos courtesy of Eduardo Lugo.