Puerto Vallarta is the winter home of the humpback whale, one of the world's great creatures. From Mid-December through early April, it returns from summer feeding to calve. You can not go on a boat ride during these months without seeing whales breaching (jumping) near your boat. Many tours specialize in finding and getting close to the whales even to the point of using spotter planes. In season, gay oceanographer Oscar Frey runs "Ocean Friendly Whale Watching" tours led by bilingual marine scientists. At other times of the year, dolphins, giant manta rays and sea turtles can be seen in the turquoise waters of Bay of Banderas and the Marietas Islands.