The whale sharks in the pacific area have a variety of sea food to choose from, being the largest underwater sea mammal. Aside from las catalinas islands, whale sharks are occasionally sighted at most major dive locations on the pacific coast including the waters around playas del cocos, islas murcielagos bat islands, isla del cano on the osa peninsula, and playa jacoherradura. Pacific humpback whales, who migrate annually passing costa rica, are farthestmigrating animals on earth. Whale watching manuel antonio and uvita, costa rica.
May 20, 20 costa rica tours, tours costa rica, costa rica tours are pioneers in organizing tours throughout costa rica, costa rica tours invites you to experience a tou. Mar, 2018 arriving at drake bay whale watching in drake bay. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca whales, and short. The park is named for the pacific humpback whales that return to these warm coastal waters annually to breed. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whale s tail sandbar. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. Jul 12, 2017 costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. 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. These warm and crystalline pacific waters are popular among humpback, pseudoorca, and pilot whales, as well as three species of dolphin. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Costa rica waters are home to dozens of marine species and we provide private small boat tours for you to observe them in their natural habitat. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin.
Apr 15, 2020 marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. Costa rica is known for its diverse wildlife and among the millions of species of fauna, humpback whales are one of the favorite species of people who travel from all over the globe to observe them. Whale watching from sea kayak costa rica adventure highlights. See our guide with practical information on watching whales in costa rica. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Costa rica is lucky enough to have two whale seasons during the year and you can get to join us on one.
Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Tourists travel many miles to costa rica to spot one. But this reputation means that places as beautiful as the nicoya peninsula can get crowded. Offering a wide range of activities in a sublime ambience, montezuma has become a booming hot spot for aquatic and land sports, wildlife viewing, leisurely retreats and a lot more. There is nothing more magical than seeing a whale in its natural habitat. Northern humpbacks typically start to arrive in costa rica in december and can be seen until around april, while southern ones dont show up until later in july and stay until the beginning of november. This pattern dominates the costa rican wet season from may through november. 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. Costa rica tours, tours costa rica, costa rica tours are pioneers in organizing tours throughout costa rica, costa rica tours invites you to experience a tou. Humpback whale mothers give birth in the pockets of shallow temperate waters off the shores of costa rica while orcas and bottlenose dolphins troll for sushi.
Uvita bahia ballena is a privileged place for the best whale watching in costa. There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. They cover the distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km twice a year. They can be found along both the pacific and caribbean coast, though much more reliably on the pacific side. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. Located on costa ricas amazingly beautiful central pacific coastline, the small. Whale sharks in costa rica are considered to be the biggest fish in the sea. It is the best time of year for whale watching and spotting these magnificent. During the mating season, see whales and hear whale songs is.
During the mating season, see whales and hear whale songs is usual while freediving in tamarindo area. Although it is possible to see humpback whales along many parts of costa rica s pacific coast, they tend to congregate in the southern pacific. 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. Puerto jimenez is a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour. The northern hemisphere california humpback whales come to the pacific coast december early april. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whales tail sandbar. Costa rica has become the worlds premier ecotourism destination, and for good reason. Find your own personal slice of pura vida by heading out into the pacific ocean during this halfday private boat tour from samara beach. This means that it is harder to see humpback whales during the december to april season, but not impossible.
Costa ricas famous whale tail is located in the small town of uvita, about an hour south of manuel antonio and is part of parque nacional marino ballena the national marine whale park. Situated on the south pacific coast of costa rica, ballena marine national park is the destination that comes to mind first for many costa rican whale watchers. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip. The stunning daytime vistas are matched only by the incredible sunsets, which paint the sky crimson and scarlet red. Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. July good low season month for costa rica travel costa rica guide. This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october. Their length can extend up to 40 feet and some whale sharks can grow even more than that approximate figure. Dolphin and whale season in costa rica properties in costa.
Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea. These long routes make them one of the farthest migrating animals on earth. Freedive costa rica humpback whales encounter youtube. One of the most iconic places to go whale watching is marino ballena national park in osa peninsula. 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 whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park two.
The costa rican marine mammal fauna consist of 30 cetacean species, one. Oct 03, 20 so right now its coming to the end of humpback season, which is when they migrate past costa rica, and the reason they love it here is the waters are so plankton rich. Whales and dolphins are so exciting to see when in costa rica. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most popular destination for whale watching. The whales are said to be acrobats and can be seen breaching and slapping the water. The worlds largest whale, the blue whale is one of the countrys silent migrants. Best time to travel may in costa rica low season costa rica guide.
Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Your complete guide to diving and snorkeling with whale sharks. Its main claim to fame is as the departure point for corcovado national park that takes up almost a third of the osa peninsula. And they just started arriving in the waters of the southern area of the costa rican pacific coast. Humpback whales are commonly seen out in the waters as both northern and southern humpback whales pass through this area, giving costa rica the longest humpback whale watching season in the world.
However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pan tropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Costa rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and,200 acres 5,375 hectares of preserved ocean. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. This means that the visability isnt as clear as you might find in the caribbean, but means you get so much more marine life.
Whale watching ask for our packages 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 watching ask for our packages flamingo costa rica. Besides during whale watching tours, you can also see the whales if you go exploring a coastline. 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. We have had the pleasure of whale watching and sharing this experience with many guests on our boat. We are lucky enough to have quite a few species here that you may have the opportunity to see such as the humpback whale, the pilot whale, the blue whale, and the sei whale. Whale watching in costa rica serendipity sailing charters. This dolphin and whale map shows the species that either migrate to or inhabit the waters of costa rica. Orca comun, espolante habitat open tropical, temperate, and polar seas are home to the orca. Over 100,000 people travel to costa rica each year to watch whales.
Whale watching costa rica, dominical, puntarenas, costa rica. This kayaking tour begins as the waves go to one side of the whales tail and the tide becomes low. Information on seeing whales in costa rica and costa rica whale watching tours. The osa peninsula and gulf of dulce have high numbers of whales as well as the beach towns of uvita and dominical on the costa ballena whale coast. While diving on cocos island, off the coast of costa rica, is fantastic all year round, the whale shark season coincides with the hammerhead and manta season from june to september, when the waters are full of plankton. Humpback whales are the most commonly targeted for whale watching tours. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca false killer. Top spots for whale watching in costa rica special places of. Most countries offer only one tourist season for visitors wishing to go whale watching. 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.
The more you see of a turtle, whale or quetzal symbol the more likely youll see one. Oct 26, 2012 orca whales live in the waters on the pacific coast of costa rica, and are occasionally seen near montezuma. Sep 30, 2014 amazing encounter with humpback whales mother and calf off the north pacific coast of costa rica. Personally, swimming in the ocean with a mother whale and her calf is up there with birthing my children.
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. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. The enormous humpback whales roam the waters of the pacific coast for about 8 months of the year. 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 whale resort is a large beachfront property located on the edge of canaza, a small town about 15 minutes from puerto jimenez. The temperature of the water, as well as the abundance of food.
Costa rica whales and dolphins map, tour operator in costa. So right now its coming to the end of humpback season, which is when they migrate past costa rica, and the reason they love it here is the waters are so plankton rich. In the following months, we can expect to have a lot of special activities such. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Its fairly common to see mom and baby during the beginning of the season as they are rearing and feeding their young. They are majestical creatures that we all long to catch a glimpse of. Costa rica has the distinction of having more months with humpback whales in residence than any other place in 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. They like it so much that they often use golfo dulce as a nursery for their young during october. Whales spend more time in costa rican waters than anywhere else. The whale watching season is a wellknown spectacle in many parts of the world, and costa rica is no exception.
There are 30 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise that pass through costa ricas waters, but many of them move only through deeper water and thus are more rarely seen, except with a deep sea boat and a spot of luck. The migration of the humpbacks whales to costa rica occur at two different times. Northern hemisphere whales head to central america from alaska from the months of december to march. Whale watching in costa rica is one of the most engaging activities for visitors. Most tours depart from drake bay, although you can catch day excursions from puerto jimenez, as well.
Amazing encounter with humpback whales mother and calf off the north pacific coast of costa rica. Tourists on costa ricas central pacific coast may be able to see migrating humpback whales on tours operating near quepos. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa rica s northern caribbean sea. This gives whale watchers a lot of flexibility as humpback whales can be seen nearly yearround on the pacific side. Costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of marino ballena to give birth to their young.
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. Marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. The latter part of may is the beginning of the rainy season in costa rica. Scuba diving and snorkeling are enjoyed by countless people.
Drake bay is a very laid back small town with idyllic beaches well off the beaten path. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and,200 acres 5,375. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into costa ricas ocean habitats some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world. Come december to april, other whales come in to costa rica from antarctica to mate and nest. It is the best time of year for whale watching and spotting these magnificent creatures as they make the epic journey across the ocean waters. This is one of the best times to visit costa rica as it is the dry season, the weather is gorgeous almost everyday. Snorkel in the colorful waters of marino ballena national park and explore the nearby mangrove forest. Aug 16, 2017 costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of marino ballena to give birth to their young. Southern hemisphere whales travel all the way from the antarctic to costa rica between july and november. Costa rica has one of the longest whalewatching seasons in the world. 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. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. 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. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking.
Interestingly enough, we dont know if the humpbacks continue on along the coast after visiting costa rica, or if they head straight to antarctica. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they come from antarctica. This is known as the rainy season when we are visited by the southern humpback whales who migrate from the patagonia in south america, to the warm waters of the south pacific off the coast of costa rica. Puerto jimenez is a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour operators, airport, and grocery stores. Orca whales live in the waters on the pacific coast of costa rica, and are occasionally seen near montezuma. Whale watching in costa rica southern explorations. The north pacific group, estimated at around 15,000 whales, feed in the summer along the coast from california to alaska and migrate in the winter januaryapril to breeding grounds off of hawaii, mexico, costa rica, and japan, according to the marine center. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most. All along the coasts of the pacific waters there are many special spots for whale watching. Whale watching is a great attraction and an amazing experience.