Sea Lion Encounter
tours/Dolphins & Sea Lions/Sea Lion Encounter

Sea Lion Encounter

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Man having fun in Puerto Vallarta on a Sea Lion encounter.Teenager playing with a sea lion in Puerto Vallarta.
Girl playing with a Sea Lion in Puerto Vallarta's best Marine Mammal Center.Sea Lion swimming during one of the best Puerto Vallarta family activities.Young woman receiving a kiss from a sea lion in Puerto Vallarta.

You would never imagine how expressive and playful sea lions can be until you experience close interaction with them.


Our Sea Lion Encounter is a fun experience specially designed for small groups, where you’ll interact with these amazing animals while our Marine Mammal Specialists share fascinating facts about their anatomy and behavior.


Without a doubt, it’s one of the best family-friendly activities to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta! Plus, your participation supports our rescue, rehabilitation, and release program for marine mammals in the Mexican Pacific.


Our Lasting Impact on Oceans and Communities:

Vallarta Adventures' commitment to marine mammal conservation and community impact, in figures.


Our Marine Mammal Center is accredited by:

Vallarta Adventures Marine Mammal center is accredited by IMATA, Alliance and American Humane.

Less than 3 hours tours in Vallarta30 min. total

The minimum age for this tour is 5 years old.Min. 5 years old

Relaxed activities in Puerto VallartaRelaxed

.20 min. with sea lions

Family Activities in Puerto Vallarta.Families

Small groupsSmall groups

To book this experience in Private
contact us at 1-888-526-2238
or [email protected]

Meet friendly Sea Lions in Puerto Vallarta


Experience the thrill of spending quality time with an adorable sea lion! With our Sea Lion Encounter in Puerto Vallarta, you'll discover interesting facts about these friendly mammals and have incredibly fun moments interacting closely with them.

Get fascinating insights into the lives of sea lions from our Marine Mammal Specialists, who will share their knowledge and passion for these incredible animals. Learn about their physiology, feeding habits, and behaviors before entering the shallow waters of their habitat.

No swimming skills are required to enjoy this extraordinarily fun family experience, perfect for sharing wonderful moments together!

  • Educational session with our experts: Dive into the fascinating world of sea lions with an engaging talk led by our passionate Marine Mammal Specialists. Learn about their anatomy, physiology, behaviors, and unique communication.

  • Playful sea lion interaction: Enjoy countless fun moments in the water as you hug, kiss, and share joyful experiences with our friendly and charismatic sea lions.

  • Comfort and convenience: Complimentary towels and secure lockers are provided for your ease.

  • Wetsuits for cooler months: Stay warm and comfortable with wetsuits available during the winter season.

  • Marine mammal conservation: Your participation directly contributes to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals through our ongoing conservation programs in the Mexican Pacific.

  • Please arrive at the check-in point 45 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • Minimum age: 5 years old.
  • Child price: Ages 5 to 11. Adult price: Ages 12+
  • One adult (+16) can go in the water with up to 3 kids (if each is at least 1.20 m tall). Kids under 1.20 m need one paying adult (+16) per child.
  • Kids under 4 ft. need one paying guest (16+) per child.
  • Guests 12+ can join on their own.
  • This experience is not suitable for pregnant women.
  • No jewelry, accessories, or sunscreen are allowed.
  • Cameras or mobile phones are not permitted during this program. We offer professional photos for purchase after your experience.
  • Swimsuit & sun protective clothing
  • Money for souvenirs & photos

Get into the water, and be ready to be utterly astonished by our sea lions! Renowned for their intelligence and warm affection, these marine mammals will truly captivate you during your encounter. You can interact with them in a variety of fun ways: pet them, shake a flipper, share a hug, and maybe even receive a fishy kiss in return.

Our Sea Lion Encounter in Puerto Vallarta is absolutely perfect for water-loving families. Kids and grownups alike will be smitten with our sea lions, all of whom adore interacting with people. The exuberant bark and, funny sounds of these charming creatures will have your whole group laughing!

Did you know that sea lions are fin-footed marine mammals? Or that they are part of the "eared seal" family characterized by their external ear flaps?

During your Sea Lion Encounter in Puerto Vallarta, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about these lively, playful creatures and leave with a wealth of fascinating sea lion facts!

Our dedicated team of marine mammal specialists is committed to delivering a truly fun and educational experience for all. They’ll provide you with a brief but engaging poolside lesson on the unique physiology, feeding habits, and behaviors of sea lions before you slip into the crystal-clear waters of our shallow pool to meet your new flippered friends.

At Vallarta Adventures, the welfare of the marine mammals under our care is our top priority.

Our Marine Mammal Centers undergo rigorous evaluation and accreditation processes by reputable international animal welfare organizations. Notably, we proudly hold the Humane Conservation™ from the American Humane non-profit organization, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our sea lions.

In our continuous efforts to excel in animal care, our expert team collaborates closely with esteemed institutions such as Alliance and IMATA. For a deeper understanding of our dedication to animal welfare, visit our Sustainability page.

The Rescue Teams at Vallarta Adventures work closely with governmental agencies at various levels and actively participate in stranding networks, ensuring 24/7 readiness for urgent interventions.

Composed of experienced wildlife rescuers, veterinarians, and caretakers, our dedicated team is committed to assisting animals in peril, whether due to illness, injuries, or entanglement in fishing nets.

The ultimate goal of our team is to achieve the rehabilitation and eventual release of these animals into their natural habitats.

For further insight into our dedication to animal welfare, please explore our Sustainability page.

There are a handful of natural sea lion colonies in the Mexican Pacific, however all of them are in the Baja California peninsula, in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Fortunately you can meet and interact with sea lions in Puerto Vallarta at Vallarta Adventures’ Marine Mammal Center, located in Nuevo Vallarta. Come join us in the most exciting and fun encounter with Sea Lions in Puerto Vallarta!

Sure you can! There are several options for those who want to have an in-depth experience with marine mammals during their vacations in Puerto Vallarta.

1 . You can simply choose any of our exciting swim with dolphin experiences: Dolphin Signature Swim, Dolphin Encounter, Dolphin Adventure, or even the Private Dolphin Swim, and book it alongside your Sea Lion Encounter. If you are not sure which dolphin program is right for you, just get in touch with our Travel Advisors.

2. If everyone in your group is +8 years old and has good swimming skills, you could opt for swapping your Sea Lion Encounter for Dolphin Extreme, a thrilling program that includes an unforgettable underwater swim with dolphins, exhilarating rides and fun moments with sea lions.

3. Finally, for those who want to go beyond, there is Trainer for a Day, a 5-hour program, that not only includes two swim with dolphins experiences, and a sea lion encounter, but also an interesting behind the scenes visit to our world-class facilities and one-on-one sessions with our experienced marine mammal specialists.

No, children under 12 years old must be accompanied by a person aged 16 or older who pays for their ticket. For example, if you are coming with three children under 12 years old, there must be three participants over 16 years old in your group as well.

If you are looking for an activity that your children can enjoy by themselves, visit Dolphin Kids, an experience designed specifically for those between 4 and 9 years old. Parents have their own observation area from which they can watch their children having a blast!

Sunscreen, even ones labeled as biodegradable, pose a threat to various marine species, including sea lions. We encourage you to opt for sun-protective clothing to safeguard both your skin and the well-being of our sea lions.

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