The Best Time to Cruise Mexico
Whale season, dry season and storm season on both of Mexico’s coasts.
Compare Mexico Cruise DatesMexico by Season
Mexico’s cruise coasts are warm all year, but the best time to go depends on which coast you are sailing and what you want to see. Winter brings whales and dry weather to the Pacific; summer and autumn bring heat, humidity and hurricane season on both coasts.
| Months | Pacific (Riviera and Baja) | Gulf and Yucatán |
|---|---|---|
| December – April | Dry, sunny and pleasant; whale season; most week-long Riviera sailings | Dry season; comfortable for ruins |
| May – June | Warming up; eastern Pacific hurricane season opens May 15 | Hot; Atlantic season opens June 1 |
| July – October | Hot, humid and the stormiest period; Baja cruises continue | Hot and humid; the busiest storm months |
| November | Season ending; Riviera sailings return in force | Cooler and drier |
Whale Season
Winter is whale season on the Pacific coast. Humpback whales come to Banderas Bay off Puerto Vallarta to mate and calve, roughly from mid-December to mid-March, and humpbacks and gray whales are seen around Los Cabos from about December into April. Many sailings in these months see whales from the deck, and whale-watching tours run from both ports.
Gray whales also migrate along the California coast in winter, so keep watch from the ship in the first and last hours of the cruise.
Hurricane Season on Two Coasts
The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30, and storms can reach the Riviera ports; Hurricane Odile, for example, struck Los Cabos in 2014. On the Gulf side, the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center tracks storms in both basins, and cruise lines change routes or skip ports when a storm threatens. Short Baja cruises are the least affected, since Ensenada is far north of most Pacific storm tracks.
Season Questions
When is hurricane season on Mexico’s Pacific coast?
The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. On the Gulf and Caribbean side, the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30.
When can I see whales on a Mexican Riviera cruise?
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay off Puerto Vallarta from about mid-December to mid-March, and humpback and gray whale season around Los Cabos runs roughly from December into April.
Is summer a bad time to cruise to Mexico?
Not necessarily. Short Baja cruises sail all summer, and Gulf cruises to Progreso run year-round. It is hotter and more humid, and storms can change routes, so flexibility helps.
Booking Tips by Season
- Winter: book early for whale season and holiday weeks.
- Spring break: expect busy ships and higher demand in March and April.
- Summer and autumn: good value, but consider insurance and stay flexible on ports.
- Year-round: short Baja and Progreso cruises suit spur-of-the-moment getaways.
Pick the Right Season
Tell us when you can travel and what you most want to see. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest the best Mexico sailings for your dates and send free quotes.
Compare Mexico Cruise Dates