Drinks And Snacks Included

Uvita: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip w/ Drinks & Snacks

★ 4.5 · 775 reviews

from $95 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 3.5 hours
Meeting point: Dolphin Tours office, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
On board: Snacks included
Run by: Dolphin Tour Uvita

Overview

This three and a half hour boat trip from Uvita puts you on the water inside Marino Ballena National Park, with a guide steering toward humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles and a marine bird sanctuary along the coast. The route takes in Piedra Ballena, the Tres Hermanas Rocks, the Ventanas Caverns and the Punta Uvita Tombolo, the formation the listing calls the whale's tail. Time for a swim is included, and a snorkeling session on the coral reef happens when water conditions allow.

The outing starts on shore at the Dolphin Tours meeting point in Uvita, where coffee, juice, pastries and bananas are served while the group gathers. Once aboard, tropical fruit is served, and one traveller singled out the fresh watermelon and pineapple served on the boat. Lifejackets, the national park entry fee and parking are all covered by the tour price, while snorkel gear, alcoholic drinks and hotel pickup are not.

Reviewers regularly describe knowledgeable guides and memorable sightings of whales, dolphins and turtles, and one noted the crew kept a respectful distance from the animals. Sightings are never promised, but in the July to October season the operator puts the odds at about 90 percent, against roughly 50 percent from December to March.

What's Included

Included

Whale-watching boat tour
Guide
Pastries and bananas
Juice and coffee
Tropical fruits
Lifejacket
Marino Ballena National Park entry fee
Parking
Time to swim

Not Included

Pickup and drop-off
Alcoholic beverages
Snorkel gear

Itinerary

Meet at Dolphin ToursCheck in at the Dolphin Tours office in Uvita, where coffee, juice, pastries and bananas are served while the group assembles.
Safety briefing and boardingThe itinerary includes a safety briefing as part of the trip, and the group transfers to the boat to begin the outing.
Boat tour of the parkSail around Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, the Tres Hermanas Rocks, the Ventanas Caverns and the Punta Uvita Tombolo, scanning for whales, dolphins and turtles. The itinerary includes a 30-minute stretch of break time, guided tour and scenic views, plus two optional 15-minute stops.
Marine bird sanctuary visitThe boat passes a natural bird sanctuary where resident and migratory birds, green iguanas and lizards can be spotted.
Swim and snorkel stopA swim stop is included, and snorkeling on the coral reef happens if weather and water conditions permit. Bring your own snorkel gear since it is not provided.
Return to Dolphin ToursThe boat heads back to the starting point, where the tour ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before booking, drawn from the listing and from what travellers reported afterwards.

What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, a hat, a towel, sandals, a change of clothes, beachwear, water shoes and a camera. A reusable water bottle and a waterproof bag are also on the list, and one reviewer noted the operator handed out waterproof bags for cameras.
Snacks and drinks. Coffee, juice, pastries and bananas are served at the meeting point, and tropical fruit is served on the boat. Alcohol is not allowed on board.
Snorkel gear. Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to swim out over the reef. Visibility depends on water conditions, as the listing makes clear, and the snorkeling stop itself only happens when conditions permit.
Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Everyone meets at the Dolphin Tours office in Uvita, and parking is included, so arriving by car is straightforward.
Photography. The listing calls the trip spectacular for nature photography, and reviewers describe seeing whales, sometimes with calves, along with dolphins and turtles. The listing itself recommends packing a waterproof bag, and one reviewer said the operator provided them for cameras.
Sighting odds. The operator gives sighting chances of about 90 percent between July and October and about 50 percent from December to March. Wildlife is wild, and one reviewer reported a trip without dolphins even though most boats that morning had seen them.

Common issues. Snorkeling and the swim stop depend on water and weather conditions, so neither is promised. There is no restroom on board, which matters on a three and a half hour trip. Sightings are probable but not certain, and one reviewer went out on a morning when dolphins eluded their boat while other boats spotted them. Snorkel gear is not included, so anyone wanting to snorkel needs to bring their own, and no alcohol is permitted on the boat. A few travellers also said clearer expectations about how much time is spent with the animals, and about snorkeling conditions, would help.

Common Questions

What is included in the price?

The price covers the boat tour, a guide, coffee, juice, pastries, bananas and tropical fruit, a lifejacket, the Marino Ballena National Park entry fee, parking, and time to swim. One reviewer confirmed the park entry fee is folded into the tour price and that the pass is valid all day.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, and travellers make their own way to the Dolphin Tours meeting point in Uvita. Parking at the meeting point is included.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

Yes, snorkel gear is not included. You can bring your own, though the listing notes that visibility depends on water conditions, and the snorkeling stop itself only runs when conditions permit.

What are the chances of seeing whales?

The operator puts sightings at roughly 90 percent between July and October, and about 50 percent from December to March. Many travellers report seeing humpback whales, sometimes with calves, along with dolphins and sea turtles, but nothing is guaranteed.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes, the listing allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the booking page for anything cancelled inside that window.

Are food and drinks free on board?

Coffee, juice, pastries, bananas and tropical fruit are complimentary and part of the tour. Alcoholic beverages are not included and are not allowed on the boat.