Bahía Ballena

Tours

The Marino Ballena National Park is home to one of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in Costa Rica. Marine birds such as pelicans, brown booby and frigates can be observed on the islands and rocky formations. Approximately 70 species of fish, humpback whales, false orca, spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, bottle-nose dolphins, crabs, starfish, worms, sea snakes, lobsters, sponges and mollusks, all form part of the diverse marine life found in the park. Also observed in the park are olive ridley, hawksbill, leatherback and green turtles as well as reptiles like the green iguana. The tour from Marino Ballena starts at 8:30am. Once on the boat, you will be given water, fruits, all gear. During the boat ride, you will be taken to different areas to spot dolphins and other wildlife, and to rocky formations within the Ballena Marine Park, where you can snorkel. The guide will tell you of interesting facts about the park.

Humpback whales are enormous mammals, measuring around 40-60 feet in length and weighing approximately 35-40 tonnes. Despite their great size, however, they are very acrobatic and easily identifiable due to their penchant for breaching the water and landing with an enormous splash, ‘waving’ their huge tail fins as they re-enter the water. It’s unclear if they do this to clean themselves or simply for fun. Either way, it’s an incredible sight to behold! The plaintive whale songs of the humpback, for which they are well known, are haunting and magical, with their complex sequence of melodies traveling for miles upon miles through the ocean. Although we have much to learn about the meaning of these songs, scientists believe they are connected to mating rituals and the way in which the whales communicate with one another. The humpback whale is a baleen whale. They are black on the dorsal (upper) side, with mottled black and white coloring on the ventral (under) side. They have teeth like little bristles and have to swallow their food whole, so they tend to favor smaller prey, such as plankton, shrimp-like krill, mackerel, and salmon. This diet is one of the factors that dictate where you will find the humpback whale.

For those who dream of seeing whales in their natural environment, Uvita, Costa Rica, is the perfect place. Humpback whales from the northern hemisphere make their visit from mid-December to March, while their Antarctic counterparts come between July and October for mating and giving birth. It’s even possible to see them teaching their calves how to breach. The journey starts at the distinctive whale tail formation at Playa Uvita, covering the beach entry fee. (Hint: Post-tour, stay on the beautiful beach to enjoy the tropical weather and possibly a mesmerizing sunset.) The tour offers chances to see sea life, including dolphins and various seabirds like frigatebirds and brown boobies, and to take a dip in the ocean. Tours leave daily at 8:30 am. Whale Watching experience Is whale watching already on your travel bucket list? A one-on-one encounter with a huge marine mammal is a real bucket list experience! Also there is no place like Uvita for whale watching as it has the longest humpback whale season in the world. So join our unique whale watching tour that is ranked #1 for an encounter with the ocean’s gentle giants! Unique Experiences in Costa Rica ‍♂ Surfing for all levels/ages Whalewatching-Dolphin Watching Taxi - Shuttle Service Kayaking in the Sea or Mangroove Fishing Private Tour Waterfalls & Hiking Horseback riding ✏Spanish Lessons Caño Island Snorkel Corcovado One Day - Leaving from Uvita Manuel Antonio National Park - Private Guided Walk Night Nature Experience  Bike Tour

The tour starts at 7:30 AM. We will navigate the most important areas to look for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, sea birds and much more As an important fact, this area is the top place in all of Costa Rica to observe the incredible migration of humpback whales. The Humpback whale and Bryde´s whale are most common in the area. These huge mammals can reach up to 15 meters (50 ft) long; the females are somewhat bigger than the males. Despite their enormous size, they are able to jump out of the water providing a spectacular show for the ones lucky enough to be there at the right time. Another great experience – which is more likely to witness during the tour – is watching the offspring swim and play besides the huge mother whale. Whale watching in Uvita and Drake Bay Costa Rica has 2 seasons, from half July to half November and from half December to March. These seasons are based on the annual migration cycle of the pacific humpback whale. These animals travel from far to visit Marino Ballena in Uvita and Drake Bay. Each year the pacific humpback whales from the southern hemisphere travel from Antarctica to Costa Rica and arrive around the end of July to October. The pacific whales from the northern hemisphere do the same, but they travel from Alaska to Costa Rica and arrive around the end of December. They travel between 5000 km (3100 mi) and 8000 km (5000 mi); twice a year! 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. Uvita Bahía Ballena and Drake Bay are privileged places for the best whale watching in Costa Rica for its warm and safe waters are chosen by these cetaceans.

WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING IN UVITA The Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour is the best option to see the most of the Marino Ballena National Park. The tour departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whales Tale, Isla Ballena, Tres Hermanas Islands, and Ventana sea caves. During the tour, you will go and search for Humpback and Pilot Whales as well as Spinner, Bottle- nosed, and Spotted Dolphins. When granted the opportunity, you might see and hear the Humpback Whales and observe the acrobatic displays of the dolphins. You will also be visiting the coral and rocky reefs to snorkel and observe the wonderful marine life at Punta Uvita, Isla Ballena and Tres Hermanas Islands. During the visits to Isla Ballena and Tres Hermanas, you will have the opportunity to observe the diversity of pelagic birds. Afterwards, you will head for the amazing natural sea caves of Ventanas beach, and if conditions permit, your experienced captain will navigate the boat through the natural water passage to give you a spectacular interior view! Throughout the tour, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Uvita coastline and the mountains of Costa Ballena. Duration: 3 – 4 hours Times: We meet at 8:30 a.m. What to wear: Swimwear, shorts, sandals What to bring: Sun block, towel, camera, binoculars

Located just offshore along the Central Pacific coast in South Puntarenas, the Ballena National Marine Park protects more than 13,000 acres of ocean and 9 miles of coastline. Comprised of mangrove forests, coral reefs and untouched beaches, the national park is one for travelers who want to view fragile wildlife while escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Many species live inside the Marino Ballena National Park including Howler Monkeys, Sloths, White-faced Capuchin Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, Squirrels, Toucans, Herons, Iguanas, Crocodiles, Otters, and many more. The park is named after the humpback whales that migrate to the region from August to November (heading north from Antarctica) and December to April (heading south from Alaska), each year. With the whale migration happening much of the year it is a great place to go whale watching. The area was declared a national park in 1989 in order to protect the creatures that migrated here for breeding and feeding purposes. Even the shape of the area from above looks like a fin of a whale! Ballena National Marine Park spans 110 hectares of land and 5,375 hectares of sea. There are approximately 85 species endemic to the waters of this area.

As many as 34 species of whales and dolphins and whales have been reported in Costa Rica’s waters1-3, supporting a recent rise in commercial watching activities since they first started in the early 1990s4-6. Every year the coastal Pacific waters of Costa Rica host two different humpback whale populations from Northern and Southern Hemispheres. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pan-tropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours, which are predominantly boat-based in Costa Rica. Target species, peak times of year and locations Whale watching activities along the Pacific coastline are focused on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Whale watching originally developed in the Pacific coastal communities in the South of the country (Dominical, Uvita, Drake Bay, Caño Island, Golfo Dulce). During the Northern Hemisphere winter (December to March), humpback whales that feed on the Northwest coast of the United States migrate to Costa Rica’s tropical waters to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. Meanwhile, from July to mid-November, humpback whales that feed in the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Chile make the species’ longest recorded migration to breed in Costa Rica’s warm waters. Each year in September, the community of Bahía Ballena organizes a whale festival. Common targets for dolphin watching activities along the Pacific coast are the Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Pantropical Spotted Dolphins (Stenella attenuata) which are both found in coastal and oceanic waters year around. Various sites on the Pacific coast also yield more opportunistic encounters with False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens), Rough-toothed Dolphins (Steno bredanensis), Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) and Bryde’s Whales (Balaenoptera edeni). Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are sighted in offshore waters of Osa.

At low tide, walk out to the iconic sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail. The reef that protects this remarkable formation from dangerous currents and strong waves makes it a perfect place to swim. The southern end of the beach is also excellent for amateur surfers. This lesson focuses on teaching the skills of surfing and how to handle yourself and your surfboard in the ocean. SurfenCostaRica🇨🇷 has a stack of fun on the way. You can do one lesson or 10 it is up to you as everyone is different. Our instructors are there to help you learn and provide advice on all questions related to surfing. Uvita Surf lessons 🌊 Kids of all levels of ability from 5 years and older. You can surf with your kids! Or if you prefer, a private group lesson or birthday party can be arranged just for the kids. All kids are provided with the right surfboard and rashguard. It is advisable to book all children into low tide sessions. Uvita Surf lessons 🌊 New surfers who are after 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 coaching and training. Our instructors are there to help you learn and provide advice on all questions related to surfing. As instructors we love our jobs. We hope that you will love surfing as much as we do.

Most people visiting the waterfall sit around the edge of the pool, claiming a spot on the rocks. When conditions are right (not too much rain and current), you also can enjoy a swim in the cool mountain water. For adventure seekers, there is a metal ladder built onto the rock face where you can climb up to the top. Some people jump off the top of the waterfall and others slide down, since the rocks are smooth. The depth of the pool is around 10 feet (3 meters) according to a sign nearby. Uvita Waterfall Slide The most fascinating part of the waterfall is the natural slide. Walk up the stairs, which are located just before the boulders surrounding the waterfall. When you reach the top of the waterfall, you will need to sit where the river just starts falling off the cliff. With some courage, slide down to the pool! We watched some people do it while others cheered and encouraged.

Explore The Marino Ballena National Park on this guided hiking tour. Known as one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in Costa Rica, the park serves as an area for humpback, false orca, and pilot whales to rear their calves. Plus, animals such as howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys; sloths; pizotes (members of the raccoon family); as well as plenty of bird species call the park home. Ages 0-99, max of 15 per group Duration: 3h Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket Live guide: English, Spanish Marino Ballena National Park is located along the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This is an important area for humpback, false orca and pilot whales for rearing their calves. There are cliffs and several mangrove forests bordering the rivers. This estuarine area is an ecosystem that shelters species of fish, birds and crustaceans. Although most of its territory includes the maritime area there are also beautiful beaches of sand and stone such as ballena beach, uvita becah, piñuelas beach, dominicalito beach, hermosa beach, pedregosa beach and arco beach in whicn we can pick you up for the tour. This tour consist in a hiking adventure in one of the most beautiful and touristc places in costa Rica. Enjoy the trails of the Marino Ballena National Park while watching the amazing wildlife in it. There are plenty of animals within Marino Ballena Park. Some of the land animals include howler & capuchin monkeys. There are sloths, iguanas and birds. The main draw to the area is the marine mammals including humpback, false orca, and pilot whales. Dolphin species that frequent the area include spotted, spinner, common, and bottle nosed dolphins. In addition, olive ridley turtles and the occasional pacific green or hawksbill turtle can be found in the waters of the park. Approximately 70 species of fish form part of the diverse marine life found in the park. This is a 3 hours hike through the entire Marino Ballena National Park. Perfect for learning about Costa Rica's wildlife and knowing one of the most beautiful and attractive national parks in the country.