Dolphin and Marine Life Boat Tour Puerto Escondido

Puerto Angelito beach – where the boat tour begins

Puerto Angelito is a small, sheltered cove a short taxi ride from the centre of Puerto Escondido, and it is the starting point of this dolphin tour. Rocky headlands protect the beach from the big Pacific swell that made the town famous among surfers, so the water here is usually calm and clear, which is why local fishermen and small tour boats launch from its sand every morning.

You meet the crew at the main parking area of the beach before the 07:00 departure, put on your life jacket and climb aboard using the boat ladder. If you are wondering how to get to Puerto Angelito, most visitors come by taxi or on foot from the Rinconada area. After the tour the boat brings you back to the same beach, and you are free to stay, swim and relax for as long as you like.

Dolphin watching off the Oaxaca coast

Once past the headlands the boat follows the Pacific coastline of Oaxaca in search of the dolphins that feed in these warm, deep waters. The species seen most often are spinner, spotted, bottlenose and white-belly dolphins, sometimes in large pods that ride the bow wave and leap clear of the surface. The crew read the sea and the seabirds to find them, and the guide explains their behaviour in English and Spanish.

Because this is nature, sightings change from day to day, but the team always works to give you the best possible time at sea. When conditions are right you can enter the water with mask and snorkel and watch the dolphins from below the surface. This is what makes the Puerto Escondido dolphin tour different from a simple sightseeing cruise: you see the animals from the boat and from the water.

Sea turtles, humpback whales and other marine life

Olive Ridley sea turtles are a common sight on the surface of the water around Puerto Escondido, as the Oaxaca coast is one of their most important nesting areas in Mexico. You may be able to swim near them with your snorkelling gear, always without touching. Seabirds follow the fish, and on lucky days the crew have spotted manta rays, flying fish and even orcas.

From November to March the trip becomes a whale watching tour as well. Humpback whales migrate along this coast in the winter months to breed and calve, and you may see them blowing, breaching or slapping their tails. The best time to visit Puerto Escondido for whale watching is therefore from December to March, while dolphins and turtles can be seen all year round. Keep your camera ready throughout the trip.

Manzanillo beach – snorkelling on the reef

On the way back the boat stops at Manzanillo beach, a neighbour of Puerto Angelito, for a relaxed snorkelling session. Rock and reef formations close to the shore attract shoals of colourful tropical fish, and the water in this protected corner of the coast is usually clear and gentle, making it a good place for beginners and families to try snorkelling.

Snorkelling equipment and life jackets are included, so you only need to bring your swimwear and a towel. The guide stays nearby and shows you where the fish gather. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on board and enjoy the view of the beach and the green hills behind it. Many travellers ask if snorkelling in Puerto Escondido is worth it: here, on a calm morning, it certainly is.

The bays of the port of Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido, which means the hidden port, grew from a small fishing harbour into one of the most loved beach towns on Mexico's Pacific coast. From the boat the guide points out the bays that give the town its character: the main bay with its fishing fleet, the sheltered coves of Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo, and the long beaches that run towards the open ocean.

Seeing the coastline from the water helps you plan the rest of your stay, as you learn which beaches are calm for swimming and which are only for strong surfers. After the tour, the town's markets, seafood restaurants and sunset viewpoints are close by. For anyone searching for things to do in Puerto Escondido, this morning at sea is one of the best ways to understand the place.