Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip with Snacks Uvita

Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park protects a stretch of Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast around Uvita, together with a large area of sea, coral reefs, rocky islets and sandy beaches. It was created to protect the humpback whales that come here to breed and give birth, and its name, Ballena, means whale. Palm-lined beaches, mangroves and forested hills form a backdrop that makes every boat trip beautiful, whatever you see.

Your Marino Ballena National Park boat tour starts by Bahía Ballena beach in Uvita, where you enjoy a light breakfast of coffee, juice, pastries and bananas while the group gathers. The park entrance fee is included, and you receive a life jacket before boarding. The trip lasts about three and a half hours in total. There is no restroom on board, so plan accordingly before departure.

Humpback whales and dolphins

Uvita is famous for one of the longest humpback whale seasons in the world, because two populations visit these warm waters. Whales from the southern hemisphere arrive from about July to October, when sightings are most likely, and whales from the northern hemisphere visit from about December to March, when the chances are still good. Mothers with calves are often seen resting close to the coast, and breaching whales are an unforgettable sight.

Dolphins live in the park year-round, mostly bottlenose and spotted dolphins, which often ride the bow wave of the boat. You may also see sea turtles surfacing to breathe. The boat keeps a respectful distance and never chases the animals, and your naturalist guide explains their behaviour. When is the best time for whale watching in Uvita? For the highest chances, choose the months from July to October.

The whale's tail of Punta Uvita

The symbol of Marino Ballena National Park is the Punta Uvita tombolo, a long sandbar and rocky reef that join the beach to a small island. From the air and at low tide it forms the shape of a whale's tail, as if nature had drawn the park's name on the coast. At low tide visitors can walk out along it from the beach, while at high tide the sea covers much of the sand.

From the boat you see the whale's tail from the sea side, with waves breaking over the reef and the forested hills of the Costa Ballena behind. It is one of the most photographed views in southern Costa Rica, and your guide explains how currents shaped the sandbar over thousands of years. If you want to walk the tail after the tour, our team can tell you the tide times for your date.

Piedra Ballena, Tres Hermanas and the Ventanas caves

The boat route follows the coast past a series of striking rock formations. Piedra Ballena is a rocky islet surrounded by reef, and the Tres Hermanas, or Three Sisters, are three tall rocks standing in the sea, often crowned with seabirds. Further along, the sea has carved deep caves into the cliffs at Ventanas, where waves rush in and out of the openings with a booming sound.

On the way you visit a natural marine bird sanctuary, a small rocky island where resident and migratory seabirds nest, such as magnificent frigatebirds, brown boobies and pelicans, and where green iguanas and lizards bask on the rocks. It is an excellent stop for nature photography, so bring a camera with a good zoom and a waterproof bag to protect it from spray.

Snorkelling on the reef

When the sea is calm and visibility is good, the boat stops near a natural coral reef in the park for time to swim and snorkel. Here you can see colourful reef fish, corals and, with luck, a sea turtle gliding by. Snorkel gear is not included, but you are welcome to bring your own mask and snorkel; the stop depends entirely on water conditions on the day.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, a change of clothes and water shoes or sandals. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential, as there is little shade at sea. After the swim the boat returns to Bahía Ballena, ending the trip about three and a half hours after the start. Uvita is about three and a half hours' drive south of San José, close to Dominical and Ojochal.