Have you ever wanted to see a whale in the wild? If so, consider visiting the southern coast of Costa Rica, where whales can be seen nearly year-round.
“Between December and April, we get humpback whales from the northern hemisphere, and between July and November, we get them from the southern,” says Kjeld Schigt, Founder of Kalon Surf, an all-inclusive surfing resort in Costa Rica. “Sometimes, we see them every day or almost every day.”
Whale-watching in Costa Rica
While humpback whales are the most common whale to see on the southern coast of Costa Rica, other species also come by, such as pilot whales and pseudo-orcas. Several species of dolphins can also be seen, including the rough-toothed, spinner, spotted, and bottle-nosed varieties, as well as the common dolphin.
“The Southern Coast and Osa Peninsula are some of the best places to see whales in the world,” Schigt says. “Kalon Surf is close to Uvita, which attracts a lot of whales that swim fairly close to the coast, making it a perfect place to see them in their natural habitat.”
Kalon Surf offers whale-watching tours that, depending on the weather and temperature of the water, afford attendees a high chance of seeing these amazing marine mammals. Perhaps the most thrilling way to see a humpback whale, however, is while surfing.
Surfing with whales
What do you get when you take a resort that specializes in surfing and combine it with waters frequented by whales? For some lucky adrenaline junkies, it means surfing with whales. “Often, when we’re surfing, you think it’s a dolphin at first,” Schigt says. “You see something splashing, but then you look, and it turns out it’s a humpback whale.”
Urged to describe such a scene, Schigt says, “It’s amazing when you see it. When a whale is fairly close to you while surfing, it’s very peaceful. You forget everything else around you. At times like these, you’re typically already behind the part where the waves are breaking, so it’s very calm, and nature is all around you. Often, a couple of whales will swim in front of you, sometimes with a baby. It’s remarkably beautiful.”
The coolest interaction Schigt has personally had with whales happened while he was surfing. “I was waiting in the lineup for the next wave to catch,” he says. “The longer you surf, the further out you look to see when the big waves are coming, and get prepared. So, your eyes are fixed on the horizon, and you pick up anything that is slightly off and try to identify what it is.”
Initially, Schigt thought he saw some splashing fish. “I continued to look and saw some more flashing. It took some time — I saw something, but then it went away or moved — but in the end, this big splash came out of the water, and it was a whale. Typically, it’s the baby that will surface first, but before you know it, a much bigger whale will come out of the water — the mother. It’s a beautiful thing to experience.”
Respecting wildlife
Whales are nonaggressive animals, and humpback whales are normally described as gentle giants. But experts warn that most animals will defend themselves if they feel threatened, and humpback whales are powerful mammals that can grow as large as a school bus. As such, Schigt emphasizes the importance of respecting them and their space.
“When you’re in the ocean, you need to understand that you’re in the territory of the animals,” Schigt explains. “I think, in most cases, animals are not dangerous as long as you respect them and their territory. With some animals, that means that you need to stay away from them. Stay calm and don’t start touching them or do things like that. That’s the case with whales.”
Schigt also recommends that people think of whale sightings as a rare gift. “They’re already showing their beauty and inviting you to a beautiful show,” he points out.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica
Whales and dolphins are only part of the natural splendor on display in Costa Rica. According to Kew Gardens, “Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Around half a million species are known to live there, which is equal to about 5% of the estimated species on Earth.”
“We’re one of the best natural areas in the world when it comes to trees, flowers, and animals,” Schigt says. “If you have the chance to come to Costa Rica, whale watching is definitely not to be missed.”
