Drinks and Snacks Included
A three and a half hour boat trip from Uvita in search of whales and dolphins, with drinks and snacks on board.
Check availability
Uvita Whale Watching: Real Tours, Seasons And Prices
Compare whale watching tours from Uvita by price, rating and length.
- $75lowest per-person from-price in the lineup
- 28Tours Compared · bookable whale watching, snorkel and combo tours with a verified listing, in four trip types
- $75 to $185Price Range · from price per person on the 26 shared tours with a verified price
- 2,192Reviews Combined · guest reviews across the 28 listings
Uvita: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip w/ Drinks & Snacks
from $95 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Meets
- Dolphin Tours office, Uvita
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Dolphin Tour Uvita
Uvita Whale Watching Numbers To Know
4.3 to 4.9
Best-Rated With 50+ Reviews · rating range on listings with at least 50 reviews
2
Departure Areas · areas the listings depart from: Uvita and Bahía Ballena
Jul to mid-Nov, Dec to Mar
Two Whale Seasons · southern-hemisphere humpbacks first, northern-hemisphere humpbacks second (IWC Whale Watching Handbook)
$6.78 adult, $5.65 child
Park Entry Fee · Marino Ballena National Park, non-resident, tax included, card only; many boat listings include it, so check the listing
100 m
Closest Legal Approach · minimum distance from a whale, with at most two boats near one group and 30 minutes per group (Decreto 32495)
Uvita Whale Watching Tours By Trip Type
Whale And Dolphin Watching
Morning Whale and Dolphin Tour
Martin Adventours runs this morning boat trip out of Uvita, spending two and a half to three hours on the water looking for whales and dolphins in and around Marino Ballena National Park.
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Pacific Expeditions Whale Watch
A 3-hour boat trip watching whales inside Marino Ballena National Park.
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Snorkel Gear, Accessible Boat
A half-day trip from Uvita, three to four hours on the water, watching whales and dolphins with a local agency.
Check availabilityCaño Island Snorkeling
Check-In Pastries, Picnic Lunch
Dolphin Tour Uvita runs this full-day trip, eight hours in total, pairing the boat ride out with guided snorkeling in the protected waters around Caño Island, one of Costa Rica's best-known spots for seeing marine life below the surface.
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Full Day Caño Snorkel
A full-day Caño Island snorkeling trip run by Ballena Tour Costa Rica from Uvita.
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8-Hour Caño Snorkel, Meal
Martin Adventours runs this eight-hour Caño Island trip, a full day of boat travel and snorkeling from Uvita.
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Caño Snorkel, 6 to 7 Hours
Six to seven hours with Ballena Tour Costa Rica, snorkeling at Caño Island from Uvita.
Check availabilityWhale And Snorkel Combos
3-Hour Whale Combo
Ballena Tour Costa Rica packs whale watching and snorkeling into three hours.
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Midday Whale Combo
The midday version of Ballena Tour Costa Rica's combo, with about three hours of whale watching and snorkeling inside Marino Ballena National Park.
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Ballena Aventura Whale Combo
Ballena Aventura's three-hour combo looks for whales and dolphins in Marino Ballena National Park.
Check availabilityPrivate Charters
Private Whales and Dolphins Charter
Uvita Surf Experience runs this private three-hour boat trip from Uvita in search of whales and dolphins.
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Private Cruise, Meal Included
Travel Costa Rica, Worldwide Experiences charters the whole boat for three and a half hours of whale and dolphin watching from Uvita.
Check availabilityNarrow The Uvita Whale Watching List To Your Trip
Showing a starter shortlist of the best-reviewed boats. Pick an answer above to rebuild it for your day on the water.
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Morning Whale and Dolphin Tour
2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours · Free cancellation
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Compare Every Uvita Whale Watching Tour
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All 28 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks and Snacks IncludedDolphin Tour Uvita | 3.5 h | Dolphin Tours office, Uvita | $95 | ★ 4.5 · 775 reviews | Check availability |
| Morning Whale and Dolphin TourMartin Adventours | 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours | Martin Adventours office, Uvita | $75 | ★ 4.8 · 210 reviews | Check availability |
| Pacific Expeditions Whale WatchPacific Expeditions CR | 3 h | Pacific Expeditions office, Bahía Ballena | $80 | ★ 4.8 · 183 reviews | Check availability |
| Snorkel Gear, Accessible BoatAgencia de Viajes Costa Rica te Enamora | 3 hours to 4 hours | Whale-shaped office, Uvita | $95 | ★ 4.4 · 153 reviews | Check availability |
| 3-Hour Whale ComboBallena Tour Costa Rica | 3 h | Ballena Tour office, Uvita | $84.42 | ★ 4.3 · 136 reviews | Check availability |
| Check-In Pastries, Picnic LunchDolphin Tour Uvita | 8 h | Dolphin Tours office, Uvita | $160 | ★ 4.7 · 135 reviews | Check availability |
| Marino Ballena Tours Whale WatchMarino Ballena Tours and Info | 3 h | Bahía Aventuras office, Uvita | $105 | ★ 4.5 · 110 reviews | Check availability |
| Ballena Infocenter, 3 to 4 HoursBallena Infocenter & Tours | 3-4 h | Ballena Aventura office by Hotel La Fiore, Bahía Ballena | $92 | ★ 4.6 · 107 reviews | Check availability |
| Full Day Caño SnorkelBallena Tour Costa Rica | Full day | Ballena Tour office, Uvita | $160 | ★ 4.7 · 98 reviews | Check availability |
| 8-Hour Caño Snorkel, MealMartin Adventours | 8 h | Martin Adventours office, Uvita | $150 | ★ 4.9 · 92 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match that combination. Set the Show chip back to All and all 28 tours come back. | |||||
Uvita Whale Watching Season, Month By Month
SeasonDry seasonDry seasonDry seasonSeason changesGreen seasonGreen seasonGreen seasonGreen seasonGreen seasonGreen seasonGreen seasonSeason changes
WhalesNorthern podsNorthern podsNorthern podsBetween seasonsBetween seasonsBetween seasonsSouthern podsSouthern podsSouthern podsSouthern podsSouthern pods endNorthern pods start
- This month
January
Typical figures for January
Season: Dry season Whales: Northern pods Note: Northern-hemisphere humpbacks are in Costa Rica (IWC: December to March). One Dolphin Tour Uvita listing quotes about a 50% chance of whale sightings from December to March.
February
Typical figures for February
Season: Dry season Whales: Northern pods Note: Middle of the dry season (SINAC: dry from mid-December to mid-April).
March
Typical figures for March
Season: Dry season Whales: Northern pods Note: Last month of the northern window (IWC: December to March). Operator pages put the best snorkel visibility in January to April.
April
Typical figures for April
Season: Season changes Whales: Between seasons Note: Dry season ends mid-April (SINAC). The northern window has closed (IWC).
May
Typical figures for May
Season: Green season Whales: Between seasons Note: Green season (SINAC: mid-April to mid-December). The IWC lists no humpback window for May or June.
June
Typical figures for June
Season: Green season Whales: Between seasons Note: Green season, between the two whale windows.
July
Typical figures for July
Season: Green season Whales: Southern pods Note: Southern-hemisphere humpbacks begin to arrive (IWC: July to mid-November).
August
Typical figures for August
Season: Green season Whales: Southern pods Note: Southern season under way. Operator pages describe August and September as the peak for mother and calf pairs.
September
Typical figures for September
Season: Green season Whales: Southern pods Note: Bahía Ballena holds its whale festival in early September (16th edition, 4 to 6 September 2026); the IWC says tour prices drop during the festival.
October
Typical figures for October
Season: Green season Whales: Southern pods Note: One Dolphin Tour Uvita listing quotes about a 90% chance of whale sightings for July to October.
November
Typical figures for November
Season: Green season Whales: Southern pods end Note: Southern whales stay until mid-November (IWC).
December
Typical figures for December
Season: Season changes Whales: Northern pods start Note: Northern whales return from December (IWC); SINAC's dry season starts in mid-December.
Open the full monthly table
| Month | Season | Whales | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry season | Northern pods | Northern-hemisphere humpbacks are in Costa Rica (IWC: December to March). One Dolphin Tour Uvita listing quotes about a 50% chance of whale sightings from December to March. |
| February | Dry season | Northern pods | Middle of the dry season (SINAC: dry from mid-December to mid-April). |
| March | Dry season | Northern pods | Last month of the northern window (IWC: December to March). Operator pages put the best snorkel visibility in January to April. |
| April | Season changes | Between seasons | Dry season ends mid-April (SINAC). The northern window has closed (IWC). |
| May | Green season | Between seasons | Green season (SINAC: mid-April to mid-December). The IWC lists no humpback window for May or June. |
| June | Green season | Between seasons | Green season, between the two whale windows. |
| July | Green season | Southern pods | Southern-hemisphere humpbacks begin to arrive (IWC: July to mid-November). |
| August | Green season | Southern pods | Southern season under way. Operator pages describe August and September as the peak for mother and calf pairs. |
| September | Green season | Southern pods | Bahía Ballena holds its whale festival in early September (16th edition, 4 to 6 September 2026); the IWC says tour prices drop during the festival. |
| October | Green season | Southern pods | One Dolphin Tour Uvita listing quotes about a 90% chance of whale sightings for July to October. |
| November | Green season | Southern pods end | Southern whales stay until mid-November (IWC). |
| December | Season changes | Northern pods start | Northern whales return from December (IWC); SINAC's dry season starts in mid-December. |
Whale Boat, Snorkel Combo, Caño Island Or Private Charter?
| Whale And Dolphin Watching | Whale And Snorkel Combos | Caño Island Snorkeling | Private Charters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tours listed | 15 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| Price seen | $75 to $129 per person | $84 to $90 per person | $150 to $185 per person | $95 per person, $1,120 per group |
| Time on the listing | 2.5 to 4 hours | 3 hours | 6 to 8 hours | 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Meal included | 0 of 15, plus 14 with snacks or fruit | 0 of 3, plus 3 with snacks or fruit | 8 of 8 | 1 of 2 |
| Free cancellation stated on the listing | 14 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Park or reserve fee listed as included | 11 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 |
| Reviews combined | 1,600 | 188 | 400 | 4 |
| Rating on listings with 50+ reviews | 4.4 to 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 to 4.9 | not enough reviews |
| Official entry fee (non-resident adult) | $6.78 Marino Ballena National Park | $6.78 Marino Ballena National Park | $16.95 Isla del Caño Biological Reserve | $6.78 Marino Ballena National Park |
| Best window | July to mid-November and December to March | July to mid-November and December to March | Snorkeling year-round per operator pages; humpbacks only in the whale windows | July to mid-November and December to March |
Uvita Whale Watching Departure Beaches And Park Sectors On A Map
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Town
- Drinks and Snacks Includedfrom $95
- Morning Whale and Dolphin Tourfrom $75
Nature
- Drinks and Snacks Includedfrom $95
- Morning Whale and Dolphin Tourfrom $75
Departure Points
- Morning Whale and Dolphin Tourfrom $75
- Pacific Expeditions Whale Watchfrom $80
- UvitaTown
- Bahía BallenaTown · 2.1 km from Uvita in a straight line
- OjochalTown · 14 km from Uvita in a straight line
- DominicalTown · 16 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Marino Ballena National ParkNature · 4.9 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Whale Tail (Punta Uvita Tombolo)Nature · 4.0 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Playa ColoniaNature · 3.0 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Playa Ballena (Piñuela Sector)Nature · 7.1 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Playa VentanasNature · 11 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Isla del Caño Biological ReserveNature · 54 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Playa Bahía Boat Launch, UvitaDeparture Points · 1.7 km from Uvita in a straight line
- Marino Ballena Park Uvita Sector EntranceDeparture Points · 2.7 km from Uvita in a straight line
What Travelers Say After Uvita Whale Watching
These guest quotes come from each tour's own booking listing.
“Did the whale watching tour at Parque Nacional Marino Ballena and had a wonderful experience!”
“We saw many whales with their calves and some were really close to the boat. Our guide Jennifer explained many interesting facts about the whales.”
“This was an excellent small tour. We saw whales and dolphins. We were given the choice of finding more whales or snorkeling at the Whale’s Tail. The boat voted for snorkeling.”
“Vanessa and Captains were awesome! We had a wonderful time snorkeling and exploring underwater on the Caño Island.”
Where To Stay Near Marino Ballena
Hotel Ballena REY
Uvita (by the sea, Calle Mariposario, Bahía)
Check rates
Alborada Boutique Stay
Uvita (Calle La Curinga, near Bahía Ballena)
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Cabinas D'Val Boutique Hotel
Uvita (425 m southeast of Hotel La Fiore de Bahía)
Check ratesUvita Whale Watching Questions, Answered
What does a Uvita whale tour cost?
The cheapest whale watching trip is Martin Adventours at $75 per person, while most three-hour tours fall between $80 and $105. Caño Island snorkeling trips cost from $150 to $185, reflecting a full day on the water.
How long are the boat tours?
Whale watching tours from Uvita mostly run about three hours. Martin Adventours offers the shortest at two and a half to three hours, while Caño Island snorkeling tours last six to eight hours.
Is food or drink included?
Several tours include drinks and snacks, and one names them in its title. Not all do, so read each listing's inclusions before booking.
Where do Uvita whale tours depart from?
Most boats leave from beaches inside Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita and Bahía Ballena. Each listing names its meeting point, usually the operator's office in town.
When do the whale tours leave Uvita?
Most whale watching boats here leave in the morning, though one operator also runs a mid-day departure. Check the listing for your exact departure time.
What if seasickness hits on the boat?
Several listings put motion sickness prevention on the packing list, and one advises taking medicine an hour before departure. Seven listings state there is no restroom on board, so use the office toilet first.
Guides For Planning Your Trip
Guides
- Best Time By Month
- Boat Rules And Ethics
- Caño Island Snorkeling
- Caño Vs Marino Ballena
- Car Rental In Uvita
- Dolphin Watching
- Free Things In Uvita
- Osa From Uvita
- Park Fee And Tours
- Pickup And Meeting Points
- Private Vs Group Boats
- San Jose To Uvita
- Sighting Odds
- Things To Do In Uvita
- Tours Compared
- Two Humpback Seasons
- Uvita Snorkeling
- Uvita Vs Manuel Antonio Vs Drake Bay
- Waterfall Plus Whales
- Weather By Month
- Whale And Snorkel Combo
- Whale Tail Beach
- Whale Watching Costs
- Whale Watching With Kids
- What To Wear And Bring
- Where To Stay In Uvita
- Where Uvita Fits