As the final days of May bring an end to Puerto Vallarta’s long dry season, something magical begins to stir. The sky, after six months of uninterrupted blue, turns cloudy. The air grows thicker. And then, it happens: the first raindrops hit the parched jungle floor and ripple across the bay like a long-awaited sigh.
It’s official: the rainy season is here.
But as we welcome the rain and the changes it brings—cooler breezes, greener mountains, and warmer waters—there’s an urgent reminder we must all pay attention to: what’s on our streets eventually ends up in our sea.
When It Rains, It Flows… Into the Bay
Rainwater rushes down Vallarta’s hills and streets like rivers every summer, carrying all the trash and debris left behind. This runoff ends in Banderas Bay, where it pollutes the waters, endangers wildlife, and disrupts marine ecosystems.
We see it firsthand. Our local divers at Banderas Scuba Republic and marine photographer Petr Myska (seen here) have already begun documenting the seasonal changes underwater. Jellyfish sightings in May were on the rise, signaling warming currents moving up from Costa Rica. Visibility is shifting too, from the deep blues of winter to the cloudy turbulence of summer. But with it comes hope: the return of tropical species, more transparent waters ahead, and the beginning of turtle nesting season.
A Time of Migration and Mating
As temperatures rise—reaching up to 90°F at 60 feet (about 18 meters) depth—the bay transforms. Rays, manta rays, and sharks move deeper, seeking calmer waters. For experienced divers, this means adjusting our depths to continue observing the bay’s majestic creatures.
Above the surface, sea turtles begin to arrive. The females will soon crawl ashore to lay their eggs, especially in September, a key nesting month. Protecting the beaches and waters they depend on is a shared responsibility.
Join Us: Bay Guardians Clean-Up Day – June 5
We’re calling on all residents and visitors—whether you’re here year-round or just for the season—to help keep Vallarta clean. Join one of the neighborhood or beach clean-up efforts happening across the city in the coming weeks.
Our next clean-up event:
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: Lindavista Oceano neighborhood (near the animal shelter)
- Hosted by: Bay Guardians + Banderas Scuba Republic
- Google Maps link: Meeting Point
Please bring:
- Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Hats and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottles
Let’s Do Our Part
This is our Vallarta. Whether you dive its depths or enjoy its shores, let’s take action to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity that make this place special.
Together, we can keep our neighborhoods clean and our bay biodiverse for generations.
