Spacious Boat, Fresh Fruit

Uvita: Whale Watching Tour

★ 4.1 · 6 reviews

from $86 per person

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

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: C. La Curinga, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
On board: Snacks included
Run by: Costa Rica Fishing and Whale Watching

Overview

This three-hour trip runs from Uvita along Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, with a bilingual guide where applicable, safety gear, water and fresh tropical fruit on board. The boat is roomy by design, and the operator describes the focus as safety and comfort first, with wildlife watching as the main event. Humpback whales are the headline species, and the route also passes coastal scenery worth photographing.

The format is straightforward. Travellers make their own way to the meeting point on C. La Curinga in Uvita, board with the captain and guide, and spend the three hours on the water watching for marine life. Snorkelling with provided equipment appears on the tour variants that include it, so check the listing you book for that detail. National park or biological reserve entrance fees are covered where the product states they are included.

The tour suits families, couples, groups of friends and private parties, and it runs in Spanish and English. It is a half-day commitment rather than a full-day expedition, which leaves room in the day for other plans. One thing to plan around: one recent reviewer reported long delays and confused group handling at departure, so build some slack into your schedule.

What's Included

Included

Experienced captain and crew
Spacious boat
Round-trip boat transportation
Breathtaking landscapes
Incredible marine wildlife
Spectacular destinations on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast
Professional bilingual guide (where applicable)
Safety equipment
Water
Fresh tropical fruit
Snorkeling equipment (snorkeling tours only)
National Park or Biological Reserve entrance fees (where included)

Itinerary

Meet in UvitaMake your own way to the meeting point at 5755+2X9, C. La Curinga, Provincia de Puntarenas, Uvita. No pickup is listed.
Board the boatClimb aboard a spacious boat with an experienced captain and crew. Safety equipment is included.
Cruise the coastSail along the southern Pacific coastline, with the guide pointing out landscapes and marine wildlife in Spanish or English.
Watch for whalesThe crew looks for humpback whales and other marine life. Touching marine life is not allowed.
Snorkel stopOn snorkelling tour options, equipment is provided and you can swim in clear water among the marine life. This stop applies only to the snorkelling variants.
Return to UvitaRound-trip boat transport brings you back to the departure point. Water and fresh tropical fruit are served on board.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help the day go smoothly, from what to pack to how departure tends to run.

Getting there. No hotel pickup is listed. You meet the crew at the address on C. La Curinga in Uvita, so arrange your own transport and arrive with time to spare.
What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, swimwear, a camera and sunscreen, and specifically biodegradable sunscreen. Swimwear matters if your variant includes snorkelling.
Food and drink. Water and fresh tropical fruit are included. There is no mention of a fuller meal, so eat beforehand if you want more than a snack.
Group feel. The tour is aimed at families, couples, friends and private groups. One reviewer found the departure crowded and poorly organised, so allow extra time at the meeting point.
Pace and fitness. The listing describes a safe, comfortable journey on a spacious boat, with no fitness requirements mentioned. Most of the three hours is spent on the water.
Cameras. Bring a camera for the coastline and wildlife. The tour passes landscapes and marine life that the listing itself encourages travellers to admire.

Common issues. The main complaint in the recent reviews concerns organisation: one reviewer reported more than an hour of departure delay and confusion about which guests belonged to which guide. The listing frames wildlife as something to keep an eye out for, so sightings are not guaranteed. Beyond that, no hotel pickup is listed, and touching marine life is prohibited, which matters for travellers expecting a hands-on encounter.

Common Questions

How long is the whale watching tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours. It departs from Uvita and covers the southern Pacific coast, with whale watching and, on the snorkelling options, a swim stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

No pickup is listed, and you meet the crew at 5755+2X9, C. La Curinga, Provincia de Puntarenas, Uvita. Plan your own transport to that address.

What is included in the price?

The listing includes the captain and crew, the spacious boat, round-trip boat transport, safety equipment, water, fresh tropical fruit, a bilingual guide where applicable, and snorkelling equipment on snorkelling tours. National park or biological reserve entrance fees are included where the listing for your option states so.

Is food provided?

Water and fresh tropical fruit are served on board. No other food is listed, so bring anything else you might want for a three-hour outing.

Can children or families join?

The listing says the tour is suitable for families, couples, friends and private groups. Safety equipment is provided and the operator emphasises comfort and safety. There is no specific age limit stated, so contact the operator through the booking page if you have young children.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the refund terms are not stated in the listing, so check the booking page before you commit.