Nado por las Ballenas: A Collective Effort for Marine Conservation
Banderas Bay is a place where passion for the sea is transformed into action. This is evident in Nado por las Ballenas, an association born from the desire to turn a sporting endeavor into a social and environmental purpose.
“When you see a whale freed thanks to a collective effort, you understand that all this work is worthwhile.” —Stephanie Montero, founder of Nado por las Ballenas.
A visit to our destination and contact with ECOBAC (an association dedicated to the rescue of entangled whales) motivated Stephanie Montero, an open-water swimmer, to found this organization in 2023. Her first major event was swimming across the bay, a feat that took over 14 hours to cover a distance of 37.5 kilometers, raising more than half a million pesos which were donated for the conservation of cetaceans and the marine ecosystem.
Behind her is a team deeply committed to the cause: Angélica Enríquez contributes scientific knowledge, Jorge Morales manages audiovisual documentation, Maricarmen Sierra coordinates registrations, Fabiola Flores leads environmental education, Alex Arévalo provides logistical support from his kayak, and Valentina Cantón complements with physical therapy and associated activities. As Stephanie notes: “We are a very diverse group that shares the goal of protecting the whales and the bay.”
Nado por las Ballenas combines action and education. From rescues and releases to surveillance for responsible whale watching, ghost net prevention, and school programs, as well as coral restoration in the Marietas Islands, every initiative generates a direct impact on the community. More than 15 whales have been rescued, hundreds of children have joined environmental education efforts, and an event has been consolidated attracting athletes from around the world.
The project looks toward the future with the ambition of becoming an international benchmark in marine conservation. Among the upcoming challenges is a planned a 50-kilometer swim in protected areas, demonstrating that this movement can transform the Mexican Pacific.
Alex Arévalo.
“The connection with nature is what drives us to care for it. If we want to continue enjoying the beautiful Banderas Bay, we must act now,” concludes Stephanie.
Stephanie Montero & Angélica Enríquez.
Nado por las Ballenas was featured in the cover story Beyond Philanthropy: 7 Associations Driving Significant Impact in the Destination, published in the January-March 2026 issue of Vallarta Lifestyles, where we recognized organizations whose work actively contributes to the well-being of our community and its surroundings.
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