Dolphin & Whale Watching in Costa Rica

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. Various dolphin species play up and down the Pacific coast, while the Caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin.

The South Pacific, however, is different. Dominical/Uvita and the Osa Peninsula are the major territories of Costa Rica’s whale and dolphin species. The nation’s most iconic and oft-spotted whale, the humpback, spends more than eight months a year in these waters – the lasting humpback whale season in the world!

Go on a Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour in:

In most areas, dedicated whale-watching tours are uncommon (Except for the whale seasons), as other excursions – snorkeling, surfing, and scuba trips – often include marine wildlife watching on the itinerary.

Guanacaste & North Pacific

Costa Rica’s northwestern corner of Guanacaste is known for its dolphins, including spinner, spotted, bottlenose, and common dolphins. However, during the migration season, humpback whales are not an uncommon sight off the coast of Papagayo, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, and other beaches.

However, during the migration season, humpback whales are not a rare sight off the coast of Papagayo, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, and other beaches. Organized dolphin and whale-watching tours are not common. Still, many ocean trips (sunset sails, snorkeling excursions, and more) often detour favorite marine animal zones, especially during mating and migration season.

Best Time to Visit:

Animal sightings are common year-round; Humpbacks migrate through the region August – October and December – April.

Nicoya Peninsula

The Nicoya Peninsula is not well known for its whale-watching in the North Pacific. However, sightings of humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, and common dolphins are common throughout most of the year. Whale-watching tours are not typical, but daily cruises depart from Malpaís, Santa Teresa, and Montezuma to Tortuga Island.

However, sightings of humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, and common dolphins are common throughout most of the year. Whale-watching tours are not typical, but daily cruises depart from Malpaís, Santa Teresa, and Montezuma to Tortuga Island, snorkeling reefs, and scuba hotspots; these excursions offer the region’s best chances for spotting whales, dolphins, and endangered sea turtles.

Best Time to Visit:

Animal sightings are common year-round; Humpbacks migrate through the area August – October and December – April.

Central Pacific

The Pacific is home to migrating humpback whales and spotted, common, spinner, and bottlenose dolphins. Manuel Antonio and Quepos are excellent jumping-off points for whale and dolphin watching. However, the most spectacular central Pacific whale-watching is located just south of Dominical in Ballena National Marine Park. The park’s most popular attractions are its dolphins and whales – pseudo-orca, humpback, and pilot whales – and the park’s iconic “whale’s tail” land formation.

Best Time to Visit:

Most species present year-round; humpback whale migration August – October and December – April.

Osa Peninsula & South Pacific

The warm waters of the Southern Pacific’s Osa Peninsula are Costa Rica’s most popular destination for whale watching; in fact, the Osa Peninsula is home to the longest humpback whale-watching season globally! Most tours depart from Drake Bay, although you can also catch day excursions from Puerto Jimenez. In addition to humpbacks, you can spot pilot whales and pseudo orca whales and bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, common dolphins, and rough tooth dolphins. Organized dolphin and whale-watching tours depart daily.