No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeWatch a humpback whale off the coast of Costa Rica

Watch a humpback whale off the coast of Costa Rica

I recently went on a family road trip down Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Over a long weekend, we stopped in Manuel Antonio, Uvita and at Finca 6. Our journey included a snorkeling tour at Caño Island. As we departed at 8 a.m. from Sierpe, at the edge of the largest mangrove reserves in Central America, our guides said we’d keep an eye out for whales when we navigated the open ocean.

And boy, did we get lucky.

Near Caño Island, we spotted a humpback whale mother and her calf enjoying the warm Pacific Ocean water. Our captain cut the engine, and incredibly, the whales approached us.

It was an experience unlike any other. Check it out for yourself:

Caño Island is perhaps Costa Rica’s best snorkeling destination. Unlike Cocos Island, it’s relatively accessible, and you can still come face-to-face with schools of fish, rays, sharks and sea turtles — as we did last year:

Click here to learn more about whale watching in Costa Rica, or watch the below video:

Read: A Costanera road trip 

Trending Now

Possible Archaeological Find in Costa Rica Delays Water Project

A long-awaited project to bring piped drinking water to Isla Caballo has hit another delay after crews uncovered ceramic pieces, shells and fossil material...

Costa Rica Estate Becomes Refuge for Rare Agami Heron

Around 1,000 agami herons have made a private estate in Guatuso their home, creating an unusual concentration of one of the most elusive heron...

What the Caribbean Green Alert Means for Your Weekend Plans

If you are going to the Caribbean coast or the Northern Zone over the next few days, plan for rain and give yourself more...

Costa Rica Court Targets Illegal Land Use at Playa Dominical

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ordered the Municipality of Osa to do more to remove unapproved businesses and makeshift structures from public beachfront land...

Brandon Nakashima Saves Three Match Points to Stun Daniil Medvedev at Cincinnati Open

Brandon Nakashima saved three consecutive match points before completing a dramatic comeback against Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday at the Cincinnati Open. The 27th-seeded American...

Costa Rica’s Wild Capuchin Monkeys Are Using AI Touchscreens

Wild white-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica are learning to use a touchscreen in the middle of the forest, giving researchers a new way...

Why Spending US Dollars in Costa Rica Can Be Surprisingly Difficult

When money is the subject, I am as old school as anybody. Cash is king in my world. The thrill, the feel of a...

Costa Rica Study Examines How Water-Resistant Sunscreen Affects Body Heat

Some water-resistant sunscreens may slightly reduce the body’s ability to cool itself during prolonged exercise in hot conditions, according to research conducted at the...

Search Intensifies for Missing Hiker in Costa Rica’s Chirripó National Park

Rescue teams continued searching today for a 58-year-old man who has been missing for several days inside Chirripó National Park, one of Costa Rica’s...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel