Whale Watching!
The pacific coast of Costa Rica is very often thought of as a place for Pelagics. This is very true and we are currently in the middle of one of out 2 whales seasons. Whilst we see dolphins throughout the year whales tend to visit specifically during 2 time periods. The first season is from December through to April, and the second season is August through to October.
There are 70 species of dolphins and whales in the world and it is estimated that approximately 25 visit the waters of Costa Rica. This is for a variety of reasons, whether they are migrating, mating, birthing or feeding, the warm waters with currents bringing plentiful food are an obvious attraction. Some of the more frequent visitors are false orcas, spinner dolphins, pan tropical spotted dolphins and the humpback whale.
One of the most prolific and recognizable of the whales species is the humpback whale which is also Costa Ricas most frequent whale visitor. With a size of up to 50ft and a weight of approximately 24 – 40 tonnes that are incredible to behold and here in Manuel Antonio we are lucky enough to see them during both seasons. Whilst not being lucky enough to have seen them underwater whilst diving, I have been lucky enough to be serenaded by them on numerous occasions. Not what you expect to hear,sometimes, the mixture of long deep bellows, and high pitched singing is eerie yet beautiful. The hardest thing when you start hearing them, especially when it is a faint sound, is communicating to your fellow divers what they are listening to as many, won’t immediately recognize the sound.
On the surface intervals and trips to dive sites we can be lucky enough to run into humpbacks, for example just 4 days ago. On our way through the park our captain noticed some spray off of the bow. It was a group of 3, 2 adults and 1 calf. They then proceeded to travel pretty rapidly away from us, but not before the calf decided to breach a couple of times. I’m sure he knew he had an audience!! Before my battery ran out managed to get a sneaky shot of a disapearing tail!
Dolphins are also a regular visitor to the Manuel Antonio National Park and the pacific coast in general. Pretty much every afternoon we will get to see a school of the Pan Tropical spotted dolphins feeding just off of the coast. Pan Tropical spotted dolphins are one of the smaller species of dolphin and when they are feeding, they target one of their favourite foods, flying fish. Easiest way to spot a group is to watch for the brown booby birds who like to hang out above the hunt and pick off any unfortunate escapees! Diving at Cano island, which has many whale and dolphin visitors, I have been lucky enough to dive with dolphins. One of my mos memorable encounters was at the deep sea pinnacle Veinte Seis. Hearing them throughout the dive, we headed up the down line for a safety stop. Diving offshore is always fun as you are diving in blue, blue water with nothing around. Out of the distance, a group of around 10 dolphins appeared and they took an interest in us and decided to hang out with us throughout the safety stop, which we subsequently decided to extend to around 15 minutes to enjoy their company!
As the humpback season is drawing to a close next month I need to make sure I get as many encounters as possible before the lull!
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