There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. We invite you to come join us on one of our boat tours and experience nature as it happens on the osa peninsula, costa rica. Orcas, pseudo orcas, and shortfinned pilot whales also in the dolphin family can be found along the entire length of the. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. The divine dolphin s wild dolphin and whale watching tours in drake bay, costa rica have been featured on national geographic, animal planet, travel channel, bbc with steve backshall, discovery channel, jeff corwin experience, destination wildlife, in. They frequently follow boats offshore, so most catamaran cruises, snorkeling trips and fishing excursions are graced with the presence of the curious dolphins. The divine dolphin, featured on national geographic, animal planet, the travel channel, and in numerous magazines and publications, has been taking people to encounter the glorious dolphins and whales of drake bay, costa rica since 1998. The osa peninsula is a nursery for humpback whales who have the longest migration of any species traveling from the warm waters of the pacific to the arctic. Located in northwestern coast of costa rica, the santa rosa national park is popular as a haven. Find your own personal slice of pura vida by heading out into the pacific ocean during this halfday private boat tour from samara beach. Oct 23, 2012 these are the mammals of the ocean and costa rica is teaming with marine life including the endangered humpback whale. Costa rica has become the worlds premier ecotourism destination, and for good reason.
Whale and dolphin festival uvita southern costa rica. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. There are a couple of breeding seasons in july through october and december through march. This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october. The humpback whales really seem to love to hang out with us and our boat on our divine dolphin encounters and whale watching out of drake bay, costa rica on. Whale watching in costa rica calendar and locations the table shows the best times and places to add a humpback whale watching expedition to your costa rica vacation. The perfect season to look closely the whales in costa rica goes from july to october each year, and it is a perfect activity for people of all ages and. Orcas, pseudo orcas, and shortfinned pilot whales also in the dolphin. Costa rica is one of the best places in the world to go whale and dolphin watching. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pan tropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. They are 2 to 4 feet long, feeding on fish, squids and crustaceans. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin.
We have more months with humpback whales in residence than anywhere else in the world. This whale is called a marine mammal which belongs to the family of baleen whales present in oceans all over the world. We have costa rican guides who know these waters well and will delight with excitement right along with you when you seen one breech for the very first. Dolphin and whale spotting tour samara beach in guanacaste costa rica. The spotted dolphin stenella atenuatta is very common on the pacific coast of costa rica. They like it so much that they often use golfo dulce as a nursery for their young during october. The dolphin is an aquatic mammal that is found mainly in warm waters in atlantic, pacific and indian ocean.
Children under 2 are free and participation is at the discretion. The best of the dolphins and whales of drake bay, costa rica. Over 25 species of dolphins and whales can be found here in our marine wonderland including. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. The blue whale is massive in length, mass and body. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip. September is an excellent time for whale watching in the southern pacific zone of costa rica.
These warm and crystalline pacific waters are popular among humpback, pseudoorca, and pilot whales, as well as three species of dolphin. You see them all over the map but specifically in places like the golfo dulce, central pacific, guanacaste, osa peninsula and the tropical waters of the caribbean seeing a wild animal in its natural habitat is always a beautiful thing, but seeing a whale jump from the. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Marine mammals and predators in costa rica earthwatch. The focus of these tours is on whales, but youre likely to spot dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life while out on the water as. The whale resort is a large beachfront property located on the edge of canaza, a small town about 15 minutes from puerto jimenez. This dolphin and whale map shows the species that either migrate to or inhabit the waters of costa rica. Each of costa ricas aquatic regions have different whales, dolphins, and manatees to encounter while youre in the country. The enormous humpback whales roam the waters of the pacific coast for about 8 months of the year. Whales migrating from both hemispheres pass by costa rica, whaletailparadisebay. There are huge resident populations of dolphins up and down both of costa ricas coasts, so its pretty likely you. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. However, during the migration season, humpback whales are not an uncommon sight off the coast of papagayo, playa del coco, tamarindo, and.
Costa rica s waters are blessed with good health, temperature and location so marine life is incredibly rich. Dolphin and whale watching tour in drake bay as seen on national geographic. Drake bay, costa rica costa rica is not just about rainforests. Whale and dolphin watching boat tour bahia rica adventures. Whales and dolphins festival costa rica real estate. Choose between morning or afternoon to take a scenic boat ride as you keep an eye out for one of the estimated 25 whale and dolphin species that call costa rica their home. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. Many whale species come here year round to mate, give birth and raise their young so if youre coming to costa rica. Spotting the maginificent crocodile bay dolphin and. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Here is a link to our dolphin and whale watching map including seasons. Spotting the maginificent crocodile bay dolphin and whale.
Whales give birth to their cubs on the beaches of costa rica, depending on season you often can see whales breach off of the beach. Whale and dolphin watching boat tour observe exceptional sea creatures. Whale watching, dolphin encounters, snorkeling and tide permitting, a visit to amazing, natural sea caves. Costa rica has one of the longest whalewatching seasons in the world.
There are a number of species in costa rican waters year round including spotted dolphin stenella attenuata, bottlenose dolphin tursiops truncatus flipper is a bottlenose. The main species of whale that you will see in costa rica is the humpback whale, pseudo orca whale, and pilot whales. Choose between morning or afternoon to take a scenic boat ride as you keep an eye out for one of the estimated 25 whale and. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin varieties, which migrate, mate and make their home in the pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. The stunning daytime vistas are matched only by the incredible sunsets, which paint the sky crimson and scarlet red. The festival is a great place to find a whale watching tour, learn more. Bottlenose and spotted dolphins frequently escort boats a few kilometers offshore. In this post, well focus on whales, specifically humpback. Whale watching, dolphin tour, turtles, sea birds, islands and cavesecotourists and wildlife enthusiasts will be blown away in our exhilarating whale watching and dolphin encounter combo tour.
Due to its geographic location between north and south american continents and its tropical climates it is home to over half a million species making costa rica. These incredible sea creatures come to the costa rica pacific coast looking for warm waters to mate and calve and now it is the whale watching costa rica best time to enjoy this spectacle. One of the marine mammals that pass through costa rica are the whales. This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of costa rica\s oceans. Oct 29, 2017 drake bay, costa rica costa rica is not just about rainforests. We are the only tour operator exclusively dedicated to dolphin and whale tours. While it is possible to see whales all along the pacific coast and northern caribbean coast near tortuguero, they appear in the largest concentrations along the south pacific coast and the osa peninsula. Search for humpback whales, listen to their love songs and feel the great sensation of watching a mammal that weighs more than 40 tons jump out of the water and splash its gigantic tail. The diet of the blue whale like most creatures of its family consists mostly of small crustaceans or plankton present in the waters of costa rica. This is one of only three tropical fjordlike estuaries in the world, spanning 31 miles long and six to nine miles wide, with a depth of 705 feet. Where to see whales, dolphins, and manatees in costa rica. Costa rica whale watching ecotourists and wildlife enthusiasts will be blown away in our exhilarating whale watching and dolphin encounter costa rica combo tour.
The bottlenose dolphin is larger and has a large dorsal fin and broad at the base, slightly arched. Costa rica is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales. This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of costa rica \s oceans. Whale watching tours and snorkeling excursions are your best bets to see them. Costa rica is home to many species of marine mammals.
The waters are famous for spotting different species of sea. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Whale watching humpback whale love in drake bay, costa rica.
Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea. Off the pacific coast, visitors may spot bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, rissos dolphins, roughtoothed dolphins, spinner dolphins, and striped dolphins. Jul 12, 2017 costa rica whale watching tour destinations. Orca comun, espolante habitat open tropical, temperate, and polar seas are home to the orca. The best place to go whale watching in costa rica is the countrys pacific coast, as humpback whales migrate through the region between late july and november and again between december and march. The scientific name given to the blue whale is balaenoptera musculus. Pacific dolphins eat mostly long and narrow fishes like anchovies, herring hake and. Puerto jimenez is a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour. Perhaps youll be fortunate enough to spot a mother and calf, a pod of dolphins, or even a 40ton splash. Sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, and whales all frequent the waters of costa ricas two coasts. When i learned about an opportunity to participate in a research project protecting costa ricas dolphins and whales with conservation ngo earthwatch, i jumped at the chance a 3hour flight from new york to san jose, followed by a quick puddle jumper to puerto jimenez, delivered me to a slice of heaven i had been waiting to see for more than a decade. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca whales, and short. Whales migrating from both hemispheres pass by costa rica, so you have a pretty darn good chance of seeing whales if you go to hot spots like uvita, sierpe or drake bay. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september.
The warm tropical waters provide a perfect nursery for humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres. But this reputation means that places as beautiful as the nicoya peninsula can get crowded. Mar 16, 2020 dolphin and whale spotting tour samara beach in guanacaste costa rica. Costa ricas northwestern corner of guanacaste is known for its dolphins, including spinner, spotted, bottlenose, and common dolphins. This boat ride takes you through ballena marine national park, near the city of uvita. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour. Take a boat ride through ballena marine national park with sightings of not only whales, dolphins, and other marine life. You see them all over the map but specifically in places like the golfo dulce, central pacific, guanacaste, osa peninsula and the tropical waters of the caribbean. Whale and dolphin watching is absolutely awesome but there are some precautions we need to take to be safe.
There are two sizes of humpback whales, ones from the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. Another whale you may see are pilot whales, which are actually the second largest oceanic dolphin. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking. Oct 21, 2017 the humpback whales really seem to love to hang out with us and our boat on our divine dolphin encounters and whale watching out of drake bay, costa rica on the osa peninsula. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. Costa rica is no stranger to adventure and wildlife, especially the nicoya peninsula. The migratory routes of costa rica dolphins and whales in the northern pacific pass through the area of samara beach and puerto carillo. The focus of these tours is on whales, but youre likely to spot dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life while out on the water as well. Costa rica is a great place for ecotourists to spot dolphins and whales. The best time and place to encounter dolphins in costa rica. The blue whales were present in all major oceans across the world until the start of this century. Costa rica whales and dolphins map, tour operator in costa.
Bottlenose and spotted dolphins can be observed nearly year round. Interestingly enough, we dont know if the humpbacks continue on along the coast after visiting costa rica, or if they head straight to antarctica. Working hard and having fun with whales and dolphins in costa rica. Approximately 25 whale and dolphin species inhabit costa ricas oceans. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. Sep 06, 2011 costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. Of course the whales are wild and there is never any guarantee that youll see them, but your captain and guides will be in constant contact by radio with other boats all. Approximately 25 whale and dolphin species inhabit costa rica s oceans.
While it is impossible to guaranty you will see these species during the months outlined below, we have provided the months that they are most commonly sited in the waters of costa rica. These are the mammals of the ocean and costa rica is teaming with marine life including the endangered humpback whale. Its located between corcovado national park and costa ricas mainland, encircled by rainforests, coastal villages, and secluded beaches. Uvita bahia ballena is a privileged place for the best whale watching in costa. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. At a height of 1700 feet500m on a mountainside above the pacific ocean and the best beaches in costa rica.
Whale watching ask for our packages flamingo costa rica. The marino ballena national park is home to one of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in costa rica. Whale watching and dolphin watching in costa rica, during this tour we can see the humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle noses, turtles and sea birds combined with snorkeling in the tail of the whale or whale island where you can see different types of reef fish. In summer it is the best time for snorkeling, this depends on the weather conditions.
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