Dolphin & Whale Watching
5–6.5 hours · departs 8:00 a.m. · Suri’s Tour Drake Bay
Look for wild whales and dolphins off the Osa Peninsula with a specialist guide. Boat transport, water, snacks and lunch included.
Choose this for: Marine wildlife observation.
Choose your date and who is joining you.
Why choose this experience
Dedicate an outing to watching the ocean and looking for signs of marine activity. The route focuses on searching for cetaceans, giving this experience time and attention.
- A dedicated observation trip, distinct from a chance encounter during a transfer.
- Discover the ocean even when wildlife takes time to appear.
- Choose with clear expectations, without promises of encounters or behaviour.
Head out from Drake Bay to look for whales and dolphins in the wild, with marine wildlife interpretation and Pacific scenery.
Prices for this experience
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Costa Rican citizen or resident? Contact our team for a personalised proposal.
What is included
- Boat transport during the excursion.
- Specialist marine wildlife guide.
- Responsible searching for and observation of whales and dolphins.
- Water, snacks and lunch.
- Snorkeling equipment for use when ocean conditions and the outing’s schedule allow.
Ocean encounters
Your guide and crew look for signs of cetacean activity as you navigate off the Osa Peninsula. You may encounter humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and ocean birds.
Every encounter depends on natural animal behaviour. Species, jumps and sightings are not guaranteed.
Whale season
July to October is a particularly favourable time to look for humpback whales in the South Pacific. Dolphins may be encountered at different times of year.
Wildlife lives freely: the season helps you plan but does not guarantee encounters.
Timing and meeting point
Departure: 8:00 a.m. Usual return: between 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. Approximate duration: 5 to 6.5 hours. Meet at Playa Colorada, Drake Bay.
Times and routes may vary with weather, sea conditions and the location of cetaceans.
What to bring
- Sunscreen, hat and lightweight clothes.
- Swimwear, towel and sandals.
- Camera and a waterproof bag for belongings.
- Reusable water bottle.
Respectful observation
Follow your guide and crew’s instructions and keep a respectful distance from cetaceans. Do not feed, touch or chase wildlife.
Snorkeling is a complementary activity dependent on ocean conditions and the outing’s schedule.
Additional expenses and booking
Personal expenses and additional services outside the programme are paid separately.
Start with your date, number of adults and children and contact details. The team will then request the details needed to arrange your booking. No passport is needed in the initial enquiry.
Combine the ocean with Sirena or an Overnight stay to discover Corcovado’s forest too. Each experience has its own availability.
Payment and cancellations
No deposit is required. Full payment is due the day before the tour. If you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, there is no penalty and any payment received is refunded. Cancellations less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable. Date changes are arranged with our team subject to availability.
For tours outside Corcovado, if the operator cancels before the activity starts because of unsafe weather, you can choose another date subject to availability. If the new date does not suit you, unprovided services are refunded, excluding non-refundable entrance fees disclosed before payment.
Before you decide
Does this request confirm a reservation?
We first review your date, participants and arrangements with the responsible operator. We then explain the steps to confirm.
Are whales seen all year?
Possibilities vary with the season and conditions. We will check the operator’s seasonal information for your dates.
Is this the same as seeing dolphins on the way to Caño?
No. This is a dedicated observation trip; a sighting in transit is part of a different activity.
How do I check whether it fits my dates?
Select your preferred date and we will check the trip and seasonal information with the operator.
Prepare for your visit
Nature from our collection
A selection of landscapes and wildlife from our photo collection.