Midday Whale Combo

Whale watching Combo Tour Marino Ballena National Park (mid day)

★ 4.3 · 35 reviews

from $84.42 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: Ballena Tour office, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
On board: Snacks included
Run by: Ballena Tour Costa Rica

Overview

This midday trip from Ballena Tour Costa Rica puts you on a boat inside Marino Ballena National Park for about three hours of whale watching and snorkeling. The tour departs Uvita at 12:30, returning to the same spot afterward.

Recent guests report seeing whales up close, including mother and calf pairs, and crews are described as persistent about finding whales rather than cutting the search short. Fruit, snacks and water are included, and the crew shares information about what you are seeing. Snorkeling gear is provided, along with safety equipment and insurance coverage.

Your national park entry for the day is included, which removes one common hassle. The group can reach 23 travellers, and reviews indicate seating can feel tight when the boat is full. It suits most people, including older guests and those with limited mobility, though the walk from the office to the boat is long. Families with babies should note the age limits, and pregnant travellers under three months or over six months are advised not to join.

What's Included

Included

Fruits, snacks & water
Daily ticket to Marino Ballena National Park
Use of snorkelling equipment
Parking lot
Risk and Insurance Policies
Safety equipment

Not Included

Breakfast
Lunch

Itinerary

Meet in UvitaMeet at the Ballena Tour Costa Rica office, just past the soccer field, 150 meters west, with the big signs to the right. Start time is 12:30.
Walk to the beachWalk from the office to the boat on the beach. Reviewers describe this as roughly a mile, so allow time and wear comfortable shoes.
Boat departureBoard the boat and head out into Marino Ballena National Park with the captain and guide.
Dolphin and whale watchingSearch for dolphins near the departure area, then cruise to spots where whale activity has been reported. Reviewers describe guides who are motivated to deliver sightings.
Snorkeling stopUse the provided snorkeling equipment for a swim in the Central Pacific waters of the park.
Snacks on boardFresh fruit, snacks and water are served during the trip.
Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at the meeting point in Uvita, about three hours after the 12:30 start.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews of this tour, and they are worth knowing before booking.

The walk. Multiple reviewers mention a walk of about a mile from the office to the boat on the beach. One traveller with an elderly parent and a toddler found it difficult. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for it, since the route passes through town before reaching the park.
Seasickness. One reviewer suggests taking motion sickness medicine early enough for it to be effective before departure. The guide stops at a store along the walk if you need to buy medication, but it is easier to come prepared.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 23 travellers. One reviewer felt the boat was oversold and that not everyone could sit comfortably when full. If space matters to you, a full boat is a real possibility.
Food and drink. Fruit, snacks and water are included, and several reviewers praised the fresh fruit specifically. Breakfast and lunch are not included, so eat before the 12:30 start or plan a late lunch afterward.
Who can join. Most travellers can participate, and the listing notes the tour is accessible for elderly people and those with special motor conditions. It is not wheelchair accessible. Infants must sit on laps, children under one year are not recommended, and pregnancy under three months or over six months is discouraged.
Getting there. The meeting point is near public transportation and the listing includes use of a parking lot. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Common issues. The walk from the office to the boat is the most frequent complaint, described as about a mile, and it caught at least one family off guard. One reviewer also felt the boat was crowded at full capacity. The tour requires a minimum number of travellers and good weather; if either condition fails, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Changes and cancellations inside 24 hours of the 12:30 start are not accepted or refunded. Breakfast and lunch are not included, and there is no marina or dock, so boarding is from the beach.

Common Questions

What is included in the tour price?

Fruit, snacks and water, the daily ticket to Marino Ballena National Park, snorkeling equipment, parking, insurance and safety equipment are all included. Breakfast and lunch are not.

Where does the tour meet and what time does it start?

Meet at the Ballena Tour Costa Rica office in Uvita, just past the soccer field and 150 meters west, where the big signs mark the entrance. The start time is 12:30, and the tour ends back at the same point about three hours later.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No pickup is listed. You make your own way to the meeting point in Uvita, which is near public transportation and has a parking lot included.

Is this tour suitable for kids and older travellers?

Most travellers can participate, and the listing says the tour is accessible for the elderly and people with special motor conditions, though not for wheelchairs. Infants must sit on laps, children under one year are not recommended, and pregnant travellers under three months or over six months are advised against joining. Note that one reviewer found the roughly one-mile walk to the boat hard with a toddler.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 12:30 start for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and no changes are accepted. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers and good weather; if it is cancelled for either reason, you get a different date, a different experience or a full refund.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes for the roughly one-mile walk to the boat, plus seasickness medication taken early if you are prone to it, since one reviewer specifically flags this. Water and snacks are supplied on the tour. A store stop along the walk makes it possible to buy medication if you forget.