Uvita: Whale Watching Boat Tour & Swimming with Fruits

Summary

Whale watching from Uvita with boat ride, swimming and fruit

You’ll start your whale watching day trip in Uvita with coffee and cookies before heading out by boat into Marino Ballena’s waters. Spot humpback whales or dolphins with your local guide, snack on fresh tropical fruit, swim straight from the boat, and soak in those views—plus everything’s included so you can just show up ready for adventure.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the office to smell like coffee, but it did — the kind that’s just a little too strong, in a good way. There were cookies too. I met two other families waiting there, half awake and rubbing sunscreen on their kids. Our guide, Andrés, kept things relaxed and cracked a joke about how even he can’t predict if the whales will show up. We all laughed but I could feel everyone hoping they would.

The walk to the boat was shorter than I thought — maybe five minutes? The sand was still cool under my sandals. Someone pointed out a sloth in a tree (I almost missed it; they really do blend in). Once we got our lifejackets sorted (mine felt a bit snug but safe), we climbed into this small boat bobbing at the shore. The engine sputtered once before roaring to life — then we were off into Marino Ballena’s blue-green water. The salt air hit me right away and I tasted it on my lips.

We spent most of the time scanning for humpback whales — Andrés had this way of spotting them before anyone else. He’d suddenly point and say “¡allá!” and sure enough, there’d be a spout or a tail flick. Sometimes dolphins showed up too, darting around like they owned the place. At one point we passed Ballena Island and those Three Sisters rocks; honestly I was more focused on not dropping my phone overboard than listening to all the facts (sorry Andrés). There was watermelon and pineapple cut up for us — super sweet after all that salty air.

Swimming off the boat felt weird at first — the water’s cooler than you’d think but soft somehow. I floated for a while just listening to everyone’s voices echo across the bay. On the way back someone spotted pelicans gliding low over the waves and that stuck with me for some reason. I still think about that quiet moment before we hit land again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching at Marino Ballena Park

• Arrive at office
• Enjoy coffee and cookies
• Wait for group to complete
• Drive or shuttle to parking
• Board the boat at park entrance
• Observe wildlife on boat
• Search for humpback whales and dolphins
• View Ballena Island and whale tail formation
• Enjoy tropical fruits onboard
• Swim during tour

Top questions

How long is the whale watching tour from Uvita?

The exact duration isn’t specified but typically these tours last 2–3 hours including boarding and swimming time.

Is pickup included for the whale watching tour?

If you don’t have your own car, transport from the office to parking is included; otherwise you follow in your own vehicle.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, tropical fruits like watermelon and pineapple are served during the tour along with coffee and cookies at check-in.

Will I definitely see whales or dolphins?

Sightings aren’t guaranteed as wildlife is unpredictable but guides do their best to find them during each trip.

Is swimming allowed on this tour?

Yes, there is swimming time included directly from the boat during the excursion.

Are lifejackets provided on board?

Yes, lifejackets are mandatory for all participants during the boat ride.

Is entrance to Marino Ballena included?

Yes, your national park entrance fee is covered in your booking price.

Are there bathrooms on board?

No, there are no toilets available on the boat itself.

Can infants join this whale watching trip?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap throughout; check health recommendations before booking.

What’s included

Your day includes coffee and cookies at check-in in Uvita, entry fees to Marino Ballena Park, all necessary lifejackets for safety, parking near the entrance if you bring your own car (or transfer if not), a guided boat tour searching for humpback whales and dolphins plus stops at Ballena Island and other points of interest inside and outside the park, fresh tropical fruits served onboard—watermelon and pineapple—and time to swim right off the boat before returning ashore.