We have had the pleasure of whale watching and sharing this experience with many guests on our boat. Pacific humpback whales, who migrate annually passing costa rica, are farthestmigrating animals on earth. Costa rica is lucky enough to have two whale seasons during the year and you can get to join us on one. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. On this costa rica whale watching and dolphin tour you will. Bottlenose and spotted dolphins frequently escort boats a. Personally, swimming in the ocean with a mother whale and her calf is up there with birthing my children. Approximately 25 whale and dolphin species inhabit costa ricas oceans. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. Orcas are not that common in costa rica and are rarely seen.
Jul 12, 2017 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. 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. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. 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. 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. Whale watching a big tourist attraction in costa rica. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park. Come with us to experience an ancient ritual repeated year after year by pilot and humpback whales as they make their journey to complete their mating process that enables their species to continue to thrive in the pacific waters off the coast of costa rica. Both locals and tourists come to the area to enjoy this magnificent spectacle of mother. This gives whale watchers a lot of flexibility as humpback whales can be seen nearly yearround on the pacific side. Most tours depart from drake bay, although you can catch day excursions from puerto jimenez, as well. Snorkel in the colorful waters of marino ballena national park and explore the nearby mangrove forest. 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.
Whale watching tours are most common by boat, and numerous boat tours are available. Whale watching in costa rica southern explorations. In this post, well focus on whales, specifically humpback. Bottlenose and spotted dolphins frequently escort boats a few kilometers offshore.
And they just started arriving in the waters of the southern area of the costa rican pacific coast. 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. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. Whales and dolphins watching whale watching, costa rica tours. In summer it is the best time for snorkeling, this depends on the weather conditions. There is nothing more magical than seeing a whale in its natural habitat. See dolphins frolicking alongside the boat and whales in their natural habitat.
In the following months, we can expect to have a lot of special activities such. The opportunities for exploration and action here include watching the magnificent humpback whale migration, exploring the mangrove habitat, casting a line sport fishing or getting out on the water surfing. They cover the distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km twice a year. Humpback whale near the surface the thousand or so whales that spend their summers off the coast of california and the northwestern united states head south in december to warmer waters off of the pacific coast of central america. Costa rica whale watching and dolphin tour highlights. 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. Orca comun, espolante habitat open tropical, temperate, and polar seas are home to the orca. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species, which migrate, mate, and make their homes in the pacific ocean and caribbean sea.
The whales are popping above the surface to take a look around. Over 100,000 people travel to costa rica each year to watch whales. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whales tail sandbar. Come december to april, other whales come in to costa rica from antarctica to mate and nest. Jun 07, 2008 a rare encounter with a family of humpback whales in the gulf of papagayo, near liberia, costa rica. Most countries offer only one tourist season for visitors wishing to go whale watching.
Whale watching costa rica, dominical, puntarenas, costa rica. Whale watching in costa rica calendar and locations. The whale resort is a large beachfront property located on the edge of canaza, a small town about 15 minutes from puerto jimenez. Whale watching a big tourist attraction in costa rica written by admin 20161015 costa rica travel each year costa rica draws in over 1,000 travelers that are coming to see the beautiful. Because they spend so much time above the surface spy hopping, fin slapping, breaching and fluke flipping humpback whales are by far the most popular subjects for whale watching tours in costa rica. If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. 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. Mar, 2018 arriving at drake bay whale watching in drake bay. One of the best places for whale watching in the world. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. Off the pacific coast, visitors may spot bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, rissos dolphins, roughtoothed dolphins, spinner dolphins, and striped dolphins. Visit costa rica costa rica tourism official website.
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. The pacific coast of costa rica is a migratory location for humpback whales. This long journey starts when temperatures in both north and south america start to cool during their respective winters. They are found in all oceans, including the pacific coast costa rica. Costa rica is a prime whale watching destination and it is all thanks to the spectacular annual migration of two groups of humpback whales. Whale watching from sea kayak costa rica adventure highlights. The park is named for the pacific humpback whales that return to these warm coastal waters annually to breed. Sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, and whales all frequent the waters of costa ricas two coasts. Costa rica is probably best known for its wildlife on land. In this post, well focus on whales, specifically humpback whales. Discover why this area attracts an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species. Einmal einen wal in seiner naturlichen umgebung zu sehen fur viele.
The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most popular destination for whale watching. The sun slowly rose above the green hills that surrounded us, and the water glistened under its rays. You can start by downloading our free costa rica travel tips ebook and joining our newsletter which is a great first start to your trip planning. It is present near the surface of the water and does not dive too deep. Its main claim to fame is as the departure point for corcovado national park that takes up almost a third of the osa peninsula.
They are majestical creatures that we all long to catch a glimpse of. There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. The warm tropical waters provide a perfect nursery for humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres. Sep 06, 2011 costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world.
Whales and dolphins watching whale watching, costa rica. With coastlines on both the pacific ocean and caribbean sea, costa rica is one of the few countries in the world with. Orca or orcinus orca is a mammal which is a part of the family of delphinidae in the order of cetacea. South puntarenas, northern region of the osa peninsula drake bay is one of the most isolated places in costa rica so you can either take a domestic flight or you can take a boat ride from sierpe. Costa rica has the enviable distinction of more months with humpbacks in residence than anywhere else in the world. September is an excellent time for whale watching in the southern pacific zone of costa rica. Its part of the marino ballena national park whale marine park, named for humpback whales who meet and mate here every winter and spring.
You can see them by going whale watching in costa rica with a tour. 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. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. 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. The northern hemisphere california humpback whales come to the pacific coast december early april. Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Of the roughly 25 species of whales and dolphins that migrate through costa rica, humpback whales are by far the most abundant and they the most marked.
But what some forget is that the waters right offshore are full of life too. Costa rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world. Visit costa rica, take a whale watching vacation to costa rica, and enjoy a whale watching trip in costa rica. This toothed whale is also better known as killer whales. The slight roar of the engine and the gentle waves were strangely soothing. 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 most common whale to see in costa rica are the humpback whales as they pass by costa rica more than 6 months of the year. Monkeys, sloths, birds, and butterflies often steal the show and for good reason. Sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, and whales all frequent the waters of costa rica s two coasts. The blue whale inhabits most of the areas ranging around costa rica. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they come from antarctica. Lunge feeding is when the blue whale lunges into a school of fish with huge mouth wide open. 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. The table shows the best times and places to add a humpback whale watching expedition to your costa rica vacation.
This kayaking tour begins as the waves go to one side of the whales tail and the tide becomes low. The festival is a great place to find a whale watching tour, learn more about humpback whales in costa rica, and meet others interested in marine life. Drake bay is a very laid back small town with idyllic beaches well off the beaten path. Whales and dolphins are so exciting to see when in costa rica. Mar 15, 2012 orca or orcinus orca is a mammal which is a part of the family of delphinidae in the order of cetacea. Whales and dolphins festival costa rica real estate. Whale watching costa rica the best times and places. Puerto jimenez is a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour. 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. Whale watching a big tourist attraction in costa rica the. Snorkel and observe bottled nose dolphins, spotted dolphins, turtles, bicolor parrot fish and more in uvita, costa rica. This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october. Costa rica is home to many species of marine mammals.
Costa rica whale watching ecotourists and wildlife enthusiasts will be blown away in our exhilarating whale watching and dolphin encounter costa rica combo tour. Uvita, costa rica a tiny village with two miles of pure white sand and fabulous conditions for swimming, uvita might become your favorite place in costa rica. Located on the osa peninsula, the south pacific region is a haven for those looking to experience the unspoiled beauty of costa rica. There are a few tour companies that operate whale and dolphin watching tours. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and. A rare encounter with a family of humpback whales in the gulf of papagayo, near liberia, costa rica. 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. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world.
It is very important for us to offer our customers a safe adventure journey in which you will also be able to take advantage and make the most of all the marine resources we have in our area, in a responsible and balanced way, appreciating their natural environment, but always looking for ways to intervene as little as possible in their habitat, abiding by the rules established about sightings. 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. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip. It was morning in golfo dulce, a tropical fjord in costas ricas osa peninsula. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. 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.
Scientists believe that the other behaviors may be. The festival is the main activity through the year in the town, and it has promoted the whale watching tours in the area. Located on costa ricas amazingly beautiful central pacific coastline, the small. Orca whales are a type of toothed oceanic dolphins that belong to the family delpinidae, a family of cetaceans. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea. 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.
They are mostly found in all oceans and open seas from the freezing waters of antarctica and arctic to the tropical and temperate water of pacific like costa rica. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. This boat ride takes you through ballena marine national park, near the city of uvita. 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. The other whales that pass by costa rica are deep ocean dwellers. Costa rica news this app is a must have for anyone going out on a boat to take in some whale watching in costa rica, as the season is upon us. 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. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park two. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. 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. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most.
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