Apr-2014
Dolphin watching with Bahia Aventuras
Today started with a surprise. I could go dolphin watching! I love seeing wild animals so how on earth could I say no to this? An hour later I found myself in the office of Bahia Aventuras listening to the explanation of today’s dolphin tour.
MARINA BALLENA NATIONAL PARK
After we all heard what we were going to do today – hopefully spotting dolphins at sea – we left with the car to the entrance of the Marina Ballena National Park. The boat was awaiting us there near the beach. After walking one by one into the water to get on the boat we did notice that the maximum amount of persons was present today, while I believe a boat tour should never have the maximum number of passengers since that makes it a bit less comfortable. The cozy thing was that the Germans next to me kept me company with a chat during the search for dolphins. An old man and his funny stories.
Pantropical spinner dolphins
The guide, named Cesar, was already explaining a bunch of things and was quite amusing too. He knew very well when the dolphins were in the neighborhood as he said that he could feel the vibrations of the approaching dolphins with his feet. He definitely must have felt something because one minute later we discovered a big group of dolphins swimming around our boat.
Cesar explained about the kind of dolphins we saw. The dolphins, according to us, had a white-looking surface on their bodies, which appeared to actually be silver or greyish. He pointed the dolphin species out in a book and I could totally recognize them. Pantropical Spinner Dolphin they were. Beautiful creatures and quite big to be honest!
Sea turtles
After seeing a bunch of dolphins it was time to see something different. How about a sea turtle? According to Cesar there was a place where we could possible see sea turtles, but with a lot of luck. After waiting for about five minutes at the spot we noticed a beautiful loggerhead turtle showing up, probably to get some air.
A loggerhead turtle
Let’s get into the water
It was time to head into the water to find some fish. We got the snorkeling gear from the guide together with a life-vest that is obligatory to bring with you into the water. I say it like that, because you don’t really have to wear it, but you do need to carry it attached to your arm or your belly, or any other way you find most comfortable.
The snorkeling unfortunately was not very rewarding since there were just a few fish, though the cooling down in the water was pretty good. The weather was not very pretty on that specific day, so after a lot of rain the water got a bit dirty. However, I can imagine it to be beautiful on a sunny day.
Quite unexpected was the fruit snack the guide handed us at the end of the tour. That was very nice after swimming in the salty water of the ocean.
The whale tale
It must be pretty cool to do this tour when the wales are in town. You spend a lot of time on the water and get the chance to swim and snorkel, which I find very rewarding even when the weather conditions didn’t allow us to see many fish. What is also quite amazing in this area is the Punta Uvita Whale Tale, which is a beach that only appears during low tide and has the form of a whale tale. What a coincidence! The tour ended in the afternoon and so there was still plenty of time to go see the whale tale. Later on, while back at La Cusinga Eco Lodge, I tried to spot the whale tale again, but it was gone. High tide appears, whale tale disappears.
Photo I took from the Punta Uvita Whale Tale
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About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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Glad you enjoyed Uvita! It’s one of my favorite places in Costa Rica…so amazing with all of the marine life and the awesome whale tail. Whale season is spectacular–definitely worth a return visit. Happy travels!
Thanks! Definitely visiting Uvita again during the whale season to be able to check more animals from my checklist and staying at La Cusinga Eco Lodge 🙂 Happy travels!
[…] at the lodge is to arrange tours in and around Uvita. I went surfing with Uvita360 and on a dolphin boat tour with Bahia Aventuras, of which both are worth spending some time on during your […]