Huatulco Ocean Eco Adventures

We had an excellent experience, even before stepping on the boat for our excursion. They communicated with us the day before the tour, making sure we were aware of any possible changes to the itinerary due to marina restrictions, weather, etc. Once on the boat, Tito and Peter were great at communicating everything we wanted/needed to know about the wildlife we might encounter and helped us feel safe and secure throughout. They can’t guarantee wildlife will be spotted, but they were able to get us close (but not too close, appropriately) to lots of turtles, birds, and two types of dolphins. That doesn’t include all the amazing fish we saw at our snorkeling spots. The bays we saw and everything we experienced was amazing and helped us plan future plans on beaches to visit. My wife and I highly recommend this tour.

This was such a fabulous, informative, relaxing trip! Exceeded expectations in every way. Fantastic guide. Super cool sea turtles.

Our ocean adventure tour with Oceanico Huatulco was excellent! We would definitely recommend booking a snorkelling tour and bay tour with this company. Meeting at the marina was straightforward. We started by heading out in to open ocean for about 45 minutes where we saw dozens of mating sea turtles and several just sunning themselves on the water's surface. We also saw a group of about 20 dolphins of varying kinds which was a total joy! Then we headed to a lovely healthy coral reef where we spent about an hour snorkelling. The guide gave us great information and was knowledgeable while not overwhelming us. He was there to support us but also gave us space to just explore. Saw tons of cool fish including an amazing sea turtle just doing his thing. It turned out my family of 3 were the only ones on the tour this day so the guide was happy to cater things to us - which was great since unfortunately my son and I are both sensitive to being sea sick (nothing to do with the guide - it's all us - and of course ironic that we love snorkelling!). The boat was comfortable although if we'd had 8-10 people, it would have been a bit squishy. We were lucky to be able to stretch out to help combat our sea sickness. There also was not a ton of shade... they do have a small canopy but depending on where the sun was in the sky, it didn't provide a ton of shade. I would recommend that you wear a rash guard and/or sunscreen the whole time. It was clear this company was making sustainable choices (ie. water in reusable bottles - not disposable plastic bottles), and treated the reef and the animals with respect. I'd recommend this company for your bay tour/snorkel adventure!

If I could give this tour 6⭐️’s I would. Our guide Tito had incredible knowledge of the area and was a pleasure to speak with about the variety of Marine Life. His knowledge of Biology was spectacular (coming from someone with a degree in Biology!).

Our tour was super informative and intimate! The guides are bilingual which made communication really helpful. Might be helpful to go to the bathroom beforehand because the toilet is quite small.

As always an amazing experience. The crew is great. Every time we’ve been out they were able to take us to see some amazing wild life while at the same time being respectful of the environment and taking a scientific approach. Very considerate of our family as the seas were a bit rough that day so they asked us if we were okay going out or needed to be taken to different calmer snorkeling areas. Once again an amazing experience.

A most excellent day of whale watching and snorkelling with Scarlet guiding us. We loved it and highly recommend this fantastic local business :)

Wonderful combination of whale/dolphin spotting and snorkeling, with a marine biologist-background leader who is great at explaining what we’re seeing.

Great experience! Guides and boat captain were excellent, saw lots of wildlife that we would not have otherwise seen and it was a great small trip. We found it in stark contrast to the larger tours and boats

Great tour - they leave early which is great because we saw turtles, dolphins and whales and did our snorkeling before there were so many other boats out. Snorkelling pretty good. Great view of all of Huatulcos famous bays. Nowhere to get a coffee at the departure spot and really no food except granola bar and apple so would suggest get your morning coffee before you arrive and eat a good breakfast!

Our host Scarlett was great she know her stuff. We saw dolphins and whales close enough to get great camera footage. Saw a turtle while snorkeling. Would go again!

We had an amazing experience on this tour! As soon as we left the marina, we saw a humpback whale even though the usual season had just ended. We saw pods of spotted, common, and bottlenose dolphins, some of which swam alongside the boat for ages. We also saw flying rays and turtles, and had a great time snorkelling around a reef as well. The guide was hugely knowledgeable and told us about each animal we saw, and used the hydrophone so that we could hear them underwater. Would definitely recommend!

We were hoping to see whales and dolphins and we sure did! Saw two cow/calf pairs and a large pod of spotted dolphins. Also saw many turtles and enjoyed a quiet bay for a snorkel stop although there were lots of jellyfish.

We strongly recommend this tour . Was one of the best boat tour we ever had. Our marine biologist / guide Isabel was extremely knowledgeable, and open to answer all our questions . Our daughter said was epic . finally the snorkelling spot was perfection, we saw a lot of dolphins and a turtle. And a big thanks to Luis the captain

Enjoyed our tour! We say 2 different pods of Humpbacks, a sea turtle and some Manta Rays. Unfortunately no dolphins. Great secluded place for snorkling. It was perfect weather, sunny and not too windy. All in all a great tour, with knowledgeable guides.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. We saw whales, 200+ spotted dolphins and turtles. Safe operation and just the right length.

What a great morning!! Saw whales, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and heard lots of great stories and info from Peter the marine biologist. Trip was previously scheduled for an earlier date but had to be rebooked due to port being closed for rough seas. So was glad we booked earlier in our visit so we were still able to do this at a later date. Peter rearranged a few things to make this possible for us and it was greatly appreciated. Still the ride was rough as the surf was high which did not bother me but may bother someone with a back condition. Lots of water and snacks and NO plastic bottles…steel bottles for water. Tried three different areas to find some calmer waters for snorkelling and did stop at two of them although seas pretty “rolly”. Saw some underwater marine life but highlights were definitely seeing all the marine life from the boat. Snorkelling equipment fit well.

There are moments in life when something long imagined suddenly becomes real, and when it does, it carries with it not only the wonder of the present moment but the memory of the child who first dreamed it. That happened to me on the Pacific waters off Oaxaca during an extraordinary ocean excursion with Oceanico Huatulco, an experience that brought together natural beauty, marine life, childhood memory, and the kind of awe that stays with you long after the day is over. When I was growing up, I watched the Jacques Cousteau television specials whenever they came on. Those programs opened a window into a world that felt remote, mysterious, and impossibly exciting. They gave me my earliest sense that the ocean was not simply a body of water but an entire universe of movement, intelligence, and hidden life. I was captivated by the great whales, the rays gliding beneath the surface, and especially by the unforgettable images of dolphins racing alongside a ship, as if they were celebrating the pure joy of being alive. At one point in my youth, I even managed to push my way through a crowd at Mystic Seaport just to shake Jacques Cousteau’s hand. That brief moment stayed with me for years as a kind of living connection to the world that had so fired my imagination. On this recent journey off the coast of Oaxaca, that old fascination came vividly back to life. From the moment we set out, it was clear that this would be no ordinary outing. Our marine biologist and guide, Scarlett, brought intelligence, enthusiasm, and generosity to the experience. She shared bilingual handouts describing the marine life we were likely to encounter and helped frame what we were seeing in ecological and seasonal context. Our captain, Luis, was equally impressive, steady and intuitive on the water, seeming to know exactly when to press ahead, when to slow down, and where the next treasured encounter might unfold. Together, they created an experience that felt both adventurous and deeply respectful of the marine world around us. The waters off Oaxaca were astonishingly alive. Early on, we saw two Bryde’s whales, elusive and shy, appearing just long enough to remind us how much of the ocean remains on its own terms no matter how intently we search. We also encountered at least twenty to thirty Olive Ridley turtles, an especially meaningful sighting because they are on the verge of their great annual nesting cycle, when thousands will soon come ashore on Oaxacan beaches for their mass egg laying. There was something deeply moving about seeing them in the water knowing what ancient instinct was preparing to unfold in the days ahead. As the trip continued, we also observed several schools of flying cow rays, a school of marlins leaping dramatically from the sea, and two smaller groups of eagle rays moving with quiet grace beneath the surface. As remarkable as those sightings were, the emotional center of the day came when we encountered humpback whales near the coast. We observed a mother, her calf, and a male escort moving northward from their winter grounds with calm and utter indifference to the half dozen small boats nearby. There was nothing performative about their presence. They were simply being what they are, immense and ancient travelers following a route older than memory. They cruised lazily through the water, surfacing with a kind of serene confidence, and for a while everything else seemed to quiet around them. Watching them was not just exciting, it was humbling. They carried with them a sense of continuity and mystery that no human being can fully explain. And then came the moment that completed the circle back to childhood. A pod of more than one hundred spinner dolphins appeared and transformed the entire scene. They raced in front of the bow, slicing through the water with effortless speed, weaving in and out of one another as if engaged in some joyous choreography. Some spun into the air, seemingly for the sheer exuberance of it. Others dashed alongside the boat or crossed just ahead of us in a blur of motion and sunlight. During this mating season, some were even coupling, which added another layer of immediacy to what we were witnessing. This was not a staged encounter or a fleeting glimpse from far away. This was real time, real ocean, real life unfolding in all its beauty and abundance. For me, it was the living version of those long-ago Cousteau scenes that had captured my imagination as a boy. What made it all the more meaningful was the sense that this was not simply a checklist of wildlife sightings. It was an immersion into a living marine ecosystem guided by people who clearly loved and respected it. Scarlett’s explanations enriched every moment, and Luis’s skill on the water made it possible for us to be in the right place at the right time again and again. The entire experience felt less like a tour and more like an invitation into a world that still has the power to astonish us if we approach it with patience, curiosity, and wonder. The ocean has always had that effect on me. It reminds us that the world is larger, older, and more intricate than our daily routines allow us to remember. Out there off the coast of Oaxaca, surrounded by whales, turtles, rays, marlins, and an unforgettable pod of spinner dolphins, I felt once again the same sense of amazement I knew as a child. The difference was that this time I was no longer watching from the living room. I was there, on the water, seeing it unfold before my own eyes. Some dreams take decades to reach us, but when they do, they arrive with a depth and fullness that make the waiting worthwhile.

A fantastic experience. We saw a bridal whale do a full breach…. Which was a new experience even for the guide . Guide was kind and knowledgeable

As advertised. Great wildlife experience with bilingual biologist guides! Exciting ride with the dolphins, many whales, too many turtles to count. Sea snakes too! Due to waves snorkeling was just ok, but the sea life experience made it all worthwhile. Tiny bathroom on the boat, not sure if anyone used it. Due to swells, recommend those who suffer from sea sickness should take Gravol or Dramamine.

Great morning watching the humpback whales chase each other. Saw a leatherback turtle up close. Great adventure and The staff are really knowledgeable.

Comfortable boat … caring and knowledgeable staff. Just th right number of people, flexible… most enjoyable!!

Saw at least 10 sightings of Humpback whales. And flying Mantra rays so close to the boat I could see the faces.

Our whale watching and ocean eco tour was absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we left the harbor, the crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the ocean and wildlife. The highlight, of course, was seeing 10 whales throughout the trip! We watched several breaches, tail slaps, and even a few curious passes close to the boat. The guides shared fascinating information about migration patterns & behavior. The snorkeling was just as incredible. The water was crystal clear, with vibrant fish and beautiful coral formations everywhere you looked. If you’re considering a whale watching tour, this one exceeded expectations. Between spotting 10 whales and enjoying some of the best snorkeling we’ve experienced, it was truly a five-star day on the water. Highly recommend this tour.

The guide was good and informative. The sighting of whales, dolphins and turtles was good. The snorkeling site was not exceptional. The water had a foamy film on top and the fish were not as plentiful as we have seen before. We could see as many fish, if not more around a rock formation at our resort.

This was a very special trip with our marine biologist Escarletta. She was very friendly and ready to share her considerable knowledge of the creatures of the sea. She seemed to know where we would find the whales, and when to be patient. We had several sightings of a magnificent large humpback. The snorkelling was awesome. It seemed to be a spot without many others present. And on our return journey we spent some time in the middle of a pod of dolphins. I don’t know if we were exceptionally lucky or if this happens all the time. Thank you to Escarletta and to her team.

Our trip with oceanico was pretty good! Our guide was fantastic, she did her best to find us some whales and dolphins. It seems like we were an outlier and went on an off day, saw 3 dolphins (there was a man who was hanging out before the trip who said he had previously seen thousands) and two whales pretty far off. There was almost an hour where we didn’t see a thing. It seems like this isn’t typical for this trip based on the reviews, and there is nothing more the guide could have done, but maybe this review can serve as a reminder that incredible sightings aren’t guaranteed! We were a bit disappointed by the price point compared to what was delivered. We went on the later tour so maybe the earlier one is a better option (but I’m not the marine biologist so don’t quote me on that!) Snorkelling was fine, the spot wasn’t over crowded which was the main plus!

Nice to have a smaller group on the tour. Felt very safe at all times and the tour guide and driver of the boat were great. The sea was quite rough the day we went out, so if you have any kind of motion sickness you might want to consider taking Gravol. Great experience.

Excellent excursion. Both biologists, Peter and Tito shared their extensive knowledge and love of the ocean world in which they live and work. They displayed great respect for the marine life that we had the privilege of seeing; humpback whale, dolphins, sea turtles, various Ray's and birds. Thank you to Peter and Tito.

Excellent guide and well paced !! Lots of whale, dolphin, and turtle sitings. A perfect and private spot for snorkelling. Highly recommend!!

It was wonderful. We saw humpbacks, orcas, spotted dolphins, manta rays, and olive ridley sea turtles. The water was a bit rough so I took a Bonine the night before and was fine.

The guide is a friendly, knowledgeable, very experienced Marine Biologist, as advertised. Get ready for a relaxing excursion with a wealth of information shared. We were fortunate to see dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays up close. Only one whale that day but that’s not something the guide can control. The boat holds about 10 people (2 guides and 8 tourists). There’s no bathroom so be aware if that. You’re on the boat for about 4+ hours or so. The snorkeling spot is not the same one they use for the bigger (catamaran) excursions and it’s better. We snorkeled for about an hour. You climb in and out of the boat using a removable ladder. You should have reasonable mobility for this excursion if you want to snorkel. You can stay in the boat if you don’t want to. I would definitely recommend this excursion. I will do it again if I go back to Huatulco.

This is a great tour to do with your family. Originally there were 6 adults in our group booked to go together but after the Harbour Captain closed the marina due to high winds we had to reschedule. Peter managed to get all 6 of us rebooked before we had to go home in 4 days. We had a wonderful time and saw lots of turtles and dolphins. Sadly no whales were to be seen but they sure tried their best to find us one, it was absolutely no fault of their own! Snorkeling was amazing in a small bay that the big ‘booze cruise’ tour boats can’t fit in. Definitely would recommend this trip!

It was so special to be off shore at Huatulco with Peter and Scarlet. They know so much and their passion for the ocean environment shines through. It was just our party of 5 on the boat with them for spying turtles, rays, Speckled Dolphins, a pod of about 600 to 700 Spinner Dolphins, and a momma and baby Humpback. We also snorkeled with a bait ball and had lunch on the beach. Waves were pretty high but the boat size, speed, and dramamine all helped. I would absolutely do this again! Highly Recommended!!!

We had a perfect and magical day with our captain Chris and our marine biologist guide Isabel. Their care and commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants really shone through. They were fun, kind, and informative. The small size of the tour made for a more personal and relational experience, which was lovely. We saw dolphins (with baby!), sea turtles, and mobular rays, as well as many beautiful fish while snorkeling! We did not see whales, but we did get to hear them on the underwater microphone, and afterwards Chris sent us the recording! I highly recommend this one of a kind tour with fantastic, safe, and professional guides. PS Thank you so much to Isabel and Chris for the local restaurant recommendations, we enjoyed them immensely :)

What an incredible day! We saw dolphins, turtles, rays, and many beautiful fish while snorkeling! Isabel our guide and Chris our captain were both kind, knowledgeable, and so much fun. They also gave us great tips on authentic and local places to eat :) The adventure itself was lovely. Chris and Isabel went out of their way to try and find dolphins for our group, and though we didn’t see whales we did get to hear them on the underwater microphone- Chris sent the recording to us afterwards. It was simply magical. Isabel and Chris’ respect and love for nature shone through in their dedication to picking up trash from the ocean and their respectful commentary on the wildlife, which made the experience even more special. The secluded snorkeling spot was perfection, the tour of the bays was fun and informative, and the small size of the tour made for a personal and relational experience. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone travelling to Huatulco.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Peter was an excellent guide - patient, enthusiastic and a fount of information about cetaceans. He went out of his way to make our day memorable, informative and fun! We saw whales, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and interesting bird life - mission accomplished. We also enjoyed the opportunity to snorkel in a secluded bay with plenty to see. On the homeward run we sauntered through several interesting bays, with Peter pointing out interesting features on route. Altogether a great experience!

We saw all of the sea life we’d hoped, and Peter was a fantastic guide! His knowledge and experience was wonderful. The private snorkelling cover took us to was spectacular! Highly recommend! We’ll definitely bring the family next time!

We got to see Whales! (We saw turtles and manta rays as well) but seeing Whales was awesome…hopefully next time we will see dolphins :)

I had an incredible time with Oceanico - this was my second trip in two days, this time opting for the longer experience with snorkelling. It was brilliant and Scarlett took fantastic care of us. We saw humpback wales doing a mating dance, many turtles and beautiful fish. I’ll be back for my third trip as soon as I can!

This is a great excursion with knowledgable staff from guide to ship crew! We got some great photos of fish/sea and land. Well worth the time and money!

If you are staying in Huatulco, the trip is worth and definitely the snorkeling activity, really amazinig. However it can happen that even if you are in January, you don't see any whales, dolphins or orcas, especially considering the time (11 is indeed a bit late). Since we have been for a while on the coast, I can tell that the fee is 3 times more expensive, than a fee that you pay directly on a less turistic harbor. The visit was supposed to last for 4 hours, it lasted 3. We could spend the remaining hour doing snorkeling on a different spot, for example. Atmosphere and crowd size were good.

Very well organized, comfortable, just the right amount of people on the boat. We saw a couple of whales, no dolphins. One sea turtle was spotted by a couple in our group when we were snorkeling. Nice to see México doing a better job of protecting the environment and sea life, including coral

I cannot recommend this tour enough - it was one of the most amazing excursions I've ever experienced! Our tour guide, Peter, was super knowledgeable about the ocean creatures and was mindful of how our presence may impact their navigation and existence. We saw an assortment of wildlife, including rays, sea turtles, and humpback whales (a mother, her calf, and an escort). The whales were playing and the calf was jumping out of the water - it was incredible and emotional! We also went to a great spot to snorkel where we saw thousands of fish along a beautiful reef. We wrapped up the tour by sailing along the different bays, which was also interesting. I learned so much on this excursion and will cherish the memories forever. I highly recommend this tour if you're eager to see marine wildlife, snorkel, and tour the Huatulco bays. Huge shoutout to the team for being so wonderful!

Great snorkeling with lots of fish types and schools in healthy coral areas. This guide is very knowledgeable about the area and we saw over a dozen whales up close plus tuna herding fingerlings and jumping stingrays.

Great family experience. Our guide's knowledge was incredible - he could spot something from a distance, knew exactly what it was, put us right into position, and could explain what was happening / what was about to happen. His commentary added so much to the experience. Very comfortable boat, perfect length of time, logistics went off without a hitch, and I highly recommend the experience.

This is a great tour if you want a smaller, educational, and conservation focused experience. Much better than a big noisy party boat in my opinion! If you like learning new things about nature like I do, you’ll love it. We saw, and learned all about turtles (saw 15+ Olive Ridleys), dolphins (a pod of bottle noses swam with our boat for awhile!), whales (saw 2 humpbacks from a distance), rays (saw a spotted eagle ray and some manta rays), and fish. But remember, you, and the crew, are at the mercy of the ocean. It was really swelling on the day we went, so there were a few tummies churning through the trip. Take gravol. The ocean doesn’t always swell in this area, I went out three other times in the same week and all the other times were relatively calm. The snorkel stop was good, but we were also at the mercy of the swells which dictated where we could stop and where we couldn’t. Highly recommend this tour above most other options. Small groups, knowledgeable and educated crew, decent sized boat, and a mix of ocean wildlife watching and snorkeling.

A nice day out chasing whales, dolphins, rays and turtles. Snorkeling was ok, a little murky but that was out of their control. The Captain and Scarlet were lovely. Very knowledgeable. Kept everyone safe in the rough waters. Perfect length for this kind of adventure. Anytime on the water is a good time.

The tour was very interesting. Our guide, Scarlett, and our captain, Tito, were friendly and helpful. We saw dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles and manta rays. The snorkeling at the national park was a highlight. We saw beautiful reefs and too many species to mention.