Whale Marine National Park tour: Spot whales and dolphins
Three hours watching for whales, dolphins and turtles around the Whale Tail
A guided whale and dolphin watching tour in Whale Marine National Park, Costa Rica's first marine reserve, where you sail around Punta Uvita and the Whale Tail while an expert captain searches for marine mammals. The tour includes time to swim in the Pacific, visits to the Whale Stone and Window Caverns when conditions allow, and park entry with morning coffee and refreshments.
Step-by-step itinerary
Whale and dolphin watching tour
- Sail around Punta Uvita
- Explore Window Caverns if possible
- Spot whales, dolphins, and turtles
- Swim in Pacific waters
What’s included
- Entrance to Whale Marine National Park.
- morning coffee station with tea, coffee, juice, bananas and cookies.
- parking on the tour operator's lot.
- expert captain guiding the search for marine mammals.
Times
- Every day 08:30
Before you book
Operated by Ballena Infocenter
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Whale Marine National Park sits off the coast of Punta Uvita and holds the Whale Tail: a tombolo formation that marks the park's most recognizable landmark. The tour departs with an expert captain who knows where to find whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds. You'll sail past the Whale Stone, a rocky outcrop thick with nesting birds, and explore the Window Caverns if the sea allows it. The route stays within the park's protected waters, giving you access to marine fauna that rarely ventures into open ocean.
Swimming in the Pacific is built into the three-hour window, so bring a swimsuit and expect to spend time in the water alongside the boat. The captain calls out sightings as they happen and adjusts course to give you the best vantage. Morning coffee, tea, juice, bananas and cookies come aboard, so you start the day fed and caffeinated. Parking is included, and the operator handles the logistics of getting you onto the water.
The tour runs in English or Spanish with a live guide, and children from age one travel free on an adult's lap. Families and nature lovers make up most departures, so the pace stays unhurried and the mood stays focused on what swims past the bow.
Is this one for you?Three hours is short enough to fit before or after other activities in your day, but long enough to spend real time on the water and in the Pacific. If you are planning a full day of exploring Punta Uvita, this tour leaves the morning or afternoon free for the town, nearby beaches or other excursions.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What marine animals will I actually see on this tour?
Whales, dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds are the animals the captain actively hunts for during the three hours. The Whale Stone alone draws so many nesting birds that it is a named stop on every tour. What you spot depends on the season and the day's conditions, but the park is named for the whales that migrate through these waters.
What is the Whale Tail and why is it called that?
Punta Uvita, also known as the Whale Tail or Uvita Tómbolo, is a sandbar formation that connects the mainland to a rocky point and resembles a whale's tail when viewed from above. It is the most famous landmark in Whale Marine National Park and the tour sails around it as one of the park's signature stops.
Will I have time to swim, or is this just watching from the boat?
Swimming in the Pacific is part of the three-hour tour, so you'll spend time in the water as well as on the boat. Bring a swimsuit and be ready to jump in when the captain finds a good spot.
How long is the drive to the park, and where do we meet?
The tour departs from Punta Uvita, and parking is included with your booking. The operator will confirm your exact meeting point and pickup details when you reserve.
Whale Marine National Park tour: Spot whales and dolphins
3h · EN · ES
from US$ 80 per person
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