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. The enormous humpback whales roam the waters of the pacific coast for about 8 months of the year. 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. Jul 12, 2017 costa rica has the longest humpback whale 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. The whale watching season is a wellknown spectacle in many parts of the world, and costa rica is no exception. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. Scuba diving and snorkeling are enjoyed by countless people. 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. Sep 30, 2014 amazing encounter with humpback whales mother and calf off the north pacific coast of costa rica.
And they just started arriving in the waters of the southern area of the costa rican pacific coast. In the following months, we can expect to have a lot of special activities such. 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. Costa rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world. 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. Whale watching manuel antonio and uvita, costa rica. They are majestical creatures that we all long to catch a glimpse of. See our guide with practical information on watching whales in costa rica. Information on seeing whales in costa rica and costa rica whale watching tours. Whale watching in costa rica southern explorations. 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. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca whales, and short. They like it so much that they often use golfo dulce as a nursery for their young during october.
During the mating season, see whales and hear whale songs is usual while freediving in tamarindo area. Dolphin and whale season in costa rica properties in. The whales are said to be acrobats and can be seen breaching and slapping the water. 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. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Costa rica whales and dolphins map, tour operator in costa. Interestingly enough, we dont know if the humpbacks continue on along the coast after visiting costa rica, or if they head straight to antarctica.
One of the most iconic places to go whale watching is marino ballena national park in osa peninsula. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. They can be found along both the pacific and caribbean coast, though much more reliably on the pacific side. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Your complete guide to diving and snorkeling with whale sharks. 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. But this reputation means that places as beautiful as the nicoya peninsula can get crowded. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking. 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. All along the coasts of the pacific waters there are many special spots for whale watching. Orca whales live in the waters on the pacific coast of costa rica, and are occasionally seen near montezuma.
There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Northern hemisphere whales head to central america from alaska from the months of december to march. There is nothing more magical than seeing a whale in its natural habitat. 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. This dolphin and whale map shows the species that either migrate to or inhabit the waters of costa rica. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. The whale sharks in the pacific area have a variety of sea food to choose from, being the largest underwater sea mammal. Visitors on whale watching tours to costa rica can plan their trips around the comings and goings of three baleens and three larger toothed whales as well an array of smaller dolphin species. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most popular destination for whale watching. Besides during whale watching tours, you can also see the whales if you go exploring a coastline. The whale resort is a large beachfront property located on the edge of canaza, a small town about 15 minutes from puerto jimenez.
Uvita bahia ballena is a privileged place for the best whale watching in costa. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa rica s northern caribbean sea. We have had the pleasure of whale watching and sharing this experience with many guests on our boat. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park two. The costa rican marine mammal fauna consist of 30 cetacean species, one. Their length can extend up to 40 feet and some whale sharks can grow even more than that approximate figure. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they come from antarctica.
July good low season month for costa rica travel costa rica guide. 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. Its fairly common to see mom and baby during the beginning of the season as they are rearing and feeding their young. Costa rica is lucky enough to have two whale seasons during the year and you can get to join us on 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. 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. 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. Most tours depart from drake bay, although you can catch day excursions from puerto jimenez, as well. This gives whale watchers a lot of flexibility as humpback whales can be seen nearly yearround on the pacific side. Its main claim to fame is as the departure point for corcovado national park that takes up almost a third of the osa peninsula. The northern hemisphere california humpback whales come to the pacific coast december early april. 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.
Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. The latter part of may is the beginning of the rainy season in costa rica. This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea.
Tourists travel many miles to costa rica to spot one. 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. This means that it is harder to see humpback whales during the december to april season, but not impossible. 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. These long routes make them one of the farthest migrating animals on earth.
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. Whales and dolphins are so exciting to see when in costa rica. It is the best time of year for whale watching and spotting these magnificent. Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. 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. 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 spend more time in costa rican waters than anywhere else. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whales tail sandbar.
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. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most. 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. 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 ask for our packages flamingo costa rica. 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. 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.
Find your own personal slice of pura vida by heading out into the pacific ocean during this halfday private boat tour from samara beach. Freedive costa rica humpback whales encounter youtube. Orca comun, espolante habitat open tropical, temperate, and polar seas are home to the orca. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. Dolphin and whale season in costa rica properties in costa. The more you see of a turtle, whale or quetzal symbol the more likely youll see one.
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. 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. Dolphins and whales migrate heavily through costa ricas southern pacific from july to october. The temperature of the water, as well as the abundance of food. 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. Oct 26, 2012 orca whales live in the waters on the pacific coast of costa rica, and are occasionally seen near montezuma. 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. 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.
Mar, 2018 arriving at drake bay whale watching in drake bay. Costa rica has one of the longest whalewatching seasons in the world. 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. Come december to april, other whales come in to costa rica from antarctica to mate and nest. 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. 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. Drake bay is a very laid back small town with idyllic beaches well off the beaten path. 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. Humpback whales are the most commonly targeted for whale watching tours.
Puerto jimenez is a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour. Whale watching is a great attraction and an amazing experience. 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. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. These warm and crystalline pacific waters are popular among humpback, pseudoorca, and pilot whales, as well as three species of dolphin. The migration of the humpbacks whales to costa rica occur at two different times. Whale watching from sea kayak costa rica adventure highlights. Most countries offer only one tourist season for visitors wishing to go whale watching. This is one of the best times to visit costa rica as it is the dry season, the weather is gorgeous almost everyday. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. Southern hemisphere whales travel all the way from the antarctic to costa rica between july and november.
They cover the distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km twice a year. Costa rica is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales. Costa rica has the distinction of having more months with humpback whales in residence than any other place in the world. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. This means that the visability isnt as clear as you might find in the caribbean, but means you get so much more marine life. During the mating season, see whales and hear whale songs is. 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. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin.
Whale sharks in costa rica are considered to be the biggest fish in the sea. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. Whale watching in costa rica serendipity sailing charters. The stunning daytime vistas are matched only by the incredible sunsets, which paint the sky crimson and scarlet red. 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. This kayaking tour begins as the waves go to one side of the whales tail and the tide becomes low. 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. Snorkel in the colorful waters of marino ballena national park and explore the nearby mangrove forest. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. 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. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca false killer.
The park is named for the pacific humpback whales that return to these warm coastal waters annually to breed. Costa rica whales and dolphins map, tour operator in costa rica. Best time to travel may in costa rica low season costa rica guide. 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. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip. Whale watching costa rica, dominical, puntarenas, costa rica. Tourists on costa ricas central pacific coast may be able to see migrating humpback whales on tours operating near quepos.
Costa rica has become the worlds premier ecotourism destination, and for good reason. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. Pacific humpback whales, who migrate annually passing costa rica, are farthestmigrating animals on earth. The worlds largest whale, the blue whale is one of the countrys silent migrants. Personally, swimming in the ocean with a mother whale and her calf is up there with birthing my children. Top spots for whale watching in costa rica special places of. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whale s tail sandbar. This pattern dominates the costa rican wet season from may through november. Whale watching in costa rica is one of the most engaging activities for visitors.