Dolphin & Whale Watching in Costa Rica
Enjoy the ultimate eco-tourist attraction: Dolphin and whale watching.
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. There are huge resident populations of dolphins up and down
both of Costa Rica's coasts, so it's pretty likely you can catch a
glimpse of these playful creatures as well.
Killer whales, pilot whales, sei whales and beaked whales, bottlenose, spinner, roughtooth, rhissos and spotted dolphins are all seen in Costa Rica's tropical waters. Contact us to arrange dolphin or whale watching tour.
Did You Know?
Costa Rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world! Read about the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay whale season.
The humpback whale migration is one of the most remarkable journeys by any creature on the planet
- and it is made by one of the biggest creatures known to science. The humpback whales travel
further than any other species of whale to reach their breeding grounds,
more than 5,000 miles on one leg of the journey - the longest recorded
journey by any individual mammal.
Where to Do It?
*Osa Peninsula / South Pacific - Best in all of Costa Rica
Dominical
Ballena National Marine Park, just south of Dominical is named after the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
that migrate there every year. Dolphins are also commonly spotted in
this area. If you're really into seeing the whales, it's best to take a
day trip to Drake Bay and Cano Island where whales are sighted just
about every day during their peak season.
Day trips to Drake Bay are available from Dominical, Sierpe, Puerto Jimenez and other south Pacific towns. Contact us to arrange an unforgettable day trip.
Drake Bay
The *best* place in all of Costa Rica for whales
Whales and dolphins are commonly seen in the Drake Bay area, where its
calm, protected waters provide the perfect breeding and birthing 
grounds for these magnificent creatures. Drake Bay is also home to the
longest humpback whale season in the world as whales from both North
and South America come here to breed and give birth.
The peak months are August through the end of November, when it is almost guaranteed to see whales in the Drake Bay, Caño Island and Corcovado area. They are also commonly spotted in March - June.
If you come in October, when whale sightings are extremely likely, you will find low-season prices and less crowded conditons. Four day / three night packages are available to the Drake Bay area.
Central Pacific
Quepos and Manuel Antonio are not really whale watching hot spots, but
it sure is fun to go snorkeling or sailing aboard a catamaran for the
day. Dolphins however, are commonly spotted on these trips. Trips depart from Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio and Puntarenas. Day trips to Tortuga Island are available too. Contact us reserve a spot on board any of these trips.
North Pacific
Almost every beach town along the Nicoya Peninsula will offer day trips
for dolphin and whale watching. Only two beaches in particular, Tambor
and Pochote, will allow you to see, on occasion, the humpback whale. Playa Carrillo, just south of Samara, is a popular launching point for dolphin watching and snorkeling tours.
South Caribbean
Bottlenose and spotted dolphins frequent the warm turquoise waters of Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Manzanillo.
Contact us for more info.
Tours & Packages
One of the areas we know the best is Drake Bay and the Osa Peninsula. Let us help you plan a remote get-a-way to Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez where day trips for dolphin and whale watching are available.
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