Dolphin watching, not whale watching

Bucerías SUP Experience is a dolphin-watching experience and does not operate as a whale-watching tour.

Whale-watching activities in Mexican federal waters are regulated by NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010, which prohibits whale watching from kayaks, rowing boats and jet skis.

During whale season, Bahía de Banderas is an important habitat for humpback whales, including mothers and calves.

Because we paddle in the open ocean, an unexpected or incidental encounter with a whale may occur. Wildlife moves freely through the bay, and we cannot control where a whale chooses to surface or swim.

If a whale is encountered, participants must not intentionally approach, pursue, follow, intercept, surround, touch, swim toward, or attempt to create a close encounter with the animal.

We will maintain a respectful distance and, when necessary, modify our direction or activity to avoid intentionally approaching the whale.

If a whale unexpectedly approaches our group, participants must remain calm and immediately follow the guide's instructions. The fact that a whale voluntarily approaches us does not authorise us to pursue or follow it.

Our objective remains dolphin watching. An incidental whale encounter does not turn our activity into a whale-watching tour.

All participants are required to comply with Mexican environmental and wildlife regulations, including applicable provisions of NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010, and must follow the guide's instructions at all times.

Any participant who intentionally disregards these rules may be required to immediately cease the activity and may be subject to applicable measures or sanctions by the competent Mexican authorities.

These rules are clearly disclosed in the waiver and acknowledgment of risk that every participant must read and sign before entering the water.

The ocean is their home. We are the visitors.

We believe that the best wildlife encounter is one that happens naturally. We do not force encounters: we allow dolphins and other marine wildlife to remain wild, free, and in control of the distance between us.