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Drake Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour: Featured on National Geographic
4.6
206 Ratings
Playa Colorada
Embark on a life-changing adventure with the Divine Dolphin in Drake Bay. Encounter wild dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Book your tour now!
Embark on a life-changing adventure with the Divine Dolphin in Drake Bay. Encounter wild dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Book your tour now!
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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The Divine Dolphin - The Divine Dolphin provides life changing encounters with wild Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat of the waters off of Drake Bay, Costa Rica. We have been featured on countless websites, in magazines, feature films and TV shows, including the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and most recently National Geographic.
The…
- The Divine Dolphin - The Divine Dolphin provides life changing encounters with wild Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat of the waters off of Drake Bay, Costa Rica. We have been featured on countless websites, in magazines, feature films and TV shows, including the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and most recently National Geographic.
The Divine Dolphin is Drake Bay’s original dolphin and whale watching tour and it is the only tour we do. Our world famous tour is a combination of natural beauty, education, research and lots of FUN! Our new custom built tour boat, Delfin Amor, makes your trip comfortable, safe and provides great viewing for all aboard.
Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins and whales. Humpback Whales migrate from both North and South America and is the only place in the world this happens. Pods of hundreds and even thousands of several species of dolphins enjoy the warm, productive, tropical waters here.
Because of the love for the marine life and the unfortunate threat of commercial fishing, we are dedicated to research, conservation and education through our MPA for OSA campaign and in partnership with other international organizations.
What's Included
- Experience Wild and Free Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat
- Local Taxes
- On-board hydrophone to hear the sounds of the dolphins and whales
- Lunch
- Snorkeling gear is provided
- Fully safety equipped, custom designed and built tour boat
- Professional, experienced guides and marine biologists dedicated to conservation and preservation
- Experience Wild and Free Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat
- Local Taxes
- On-board hydrophone to hear the sounds of the dolphins and whales
- Lunch
- Snorkeling gear is provided
- Fully safety equipped, custom designed and built tour boat
- Professional, experienced guides and marine biologists dedicated to conservation and preservation
Additional Information
Featured on National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and more, the Divine Dolphin has been providing life changing opportunities to encounter wild Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat since 1998.
The Divine Dolphin is Drake Bay’s original dolphin and whale watching tour and the only operator in the area dedicated…
Featured on National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and more, the Divine Dolphin has been providing life changing opportunities to encounter wild Dolphins and Whales in their natural habitat since 1998.
The Divine Dolphin is Drake Bay’s original dolphin and whale watching tour and the only operator in the area dedicated ONLY to dolphin and whale tours. It is what they do and they are the best at it.
Delfin Amor, the Divine Dolphin’s new tour boat, is custom designed and built for comfort, safety and maximum viewing opportunities for all people aboard.
The staff at Divine Dolphin have the upmost respect for the dolphins and whales and their behaviors and interact with them accordingly. The Divine Dolphin has worked for over 20 years in marine conservation and protection and now, with other leading marine conservation organizations, has a bill in Costa Rica’s congress to create a marine preserve in the waters off of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking; Use “Special Requirements” field upon checkout to advise information
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Playa Colorada
For most hotels, we pick up at the main beach in Drake Bay, Playa Colorado, where the road ends at the beach and where all the boats come in and out. If you are staying at a hotel further from town, let us know so we can tell you where the pick up will be.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(206 Ratings)
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Dream07096614124
May 10, 2025
A great day on the water. Do it! - My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! We saw a mom and baby Humpback whale even though it was not the best season to see them and we saw two mega pods of dolphins, the Pantropical Spotted Dolphins and the Bottlenose Dolphins. The dolphins loved playing with the boat and leaping out of the water. The captain was very respectful and careful around the dolphins, which we appreciated. Sierra, our guide and I think the owner of the company, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. You can tell she loves what she does. We would definitely do this again and in fact plan to return in 2026.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dyang2024
May 9, 2025
You must take this tour while in Drake Bay! - This was our second time coming to Drake Bay and going out with the Divine Dolphin and they never disappoint! We saw three species of dolphins, and hundreds and hundreds of them! Sierra is so passionate about these animals and she gets just as excited as the guests do and she has an uncanny skill of finding them. She is full of information and her captain, Alexis, is great at maneuvering around the animals with respect. The lunch was delicious, healthy and with no waste as they use reusable containers. It's great to find a tour company who walks the talk. We will be back again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Onejimmyd
Mar 31, 2025
Great trip. A great company. - What an amazing trip. Hundreds of dolphins. Literally all around. Lots of turtles too, plus marlin and tuna. Sierra is doing great work to help secure the future of this wonderful part of the world and the tour is very ethical. I liked the little touches like the lunch, snacks, and drinks all being provided in reusable containers. No waste here :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterbz7145bg
Mar 10, 2025
The best memories ever! - Wow! What an unforgettable day out on the Pacific!
We had an exciting week in Drake Bay full of highlights and our tour with The Divine Dolphin sure was one of them. Thank you Sierra for taking our party of 3 - Peter, Greg and Jan - on this amazing boat trip. We did not see any activity for the first two hours, hoping to see whales, it did not happen but we were in for a treat of a different kind. We arrived in an area full of krill and all of a sudden we noticed hundreds of rays jumping out of the water and huge mantas swimming around our boat. Sierra took her camera and went into the incredible blue and clear water to film the mantas and we were allowed to join her! I cannot describle the feeling of being out so far on the ocean and going into the water, but I felt so much joy and peace watching mantas fly like angels around you, it is an experience I will never forget!
On our way back we were finally joined by a family of 5 dolphins, soon there were hundreds of them swimming and playing all around us.
If you have a chance to go to Drake Bay we can highly recommend taking a tour with Sierra, she is a professional and kind woman who will make sure your trip will be an amazing one!
Thank you Sierra for one of the best moments in our lives!
Greetings,
Peter, Greg and Jan
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tuckeytalk
Feb 9, 2025
A truly memorable experience! - What a great experience with Divine Dolphin! The communication before the trip was excellent and staff on the boat were very helpful and personable. There were a couple of issues that occurred which were outside of their control but they were dealt with professionally and we were kept well informed. There is obviously no absolute guarantee what can be seen on any tour, that's the nature (and beauty!) of wildlife but we had some interesting and prolonged sightings of Pseudo Orcas and Bottlenose Dolphins in close proximity as well as some really interesting fish and sea birds. The staff were very knowledgeable and keen to share their enthusiasm for both the wildlife and ecological matters. I would certainly recommend Divine Dolphins for their ecological credentials, and for their professional and personable approach. A truly memorable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aduke1
Jan 27, 2025
Unforgettable Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in Drake Bay - Last week, my family and I embarked on a whale and dolphin watching tour in Costa Rica's Drake Bay, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Not only did we have the rare opportunity to witness a playful interaction between Roughtooth dolphins and a female Humpback whale, but the magic continued as we encountered three more whales participating in a mating hunt. This spectacle was both special and magical, unfolding right before our eyes.
Our guides, Sierra and Katie, were exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about the migration patterns and behaviors of these magnificent mammals. They shared insights that greatly enriched our understanding and appreciation of what we were witnessing. Their expertise made the tour not only educational but also deeply engaging.
We spent over three hours on the water, following the whales and getting to see them up close. The tour was well-organized, ensuring that everyone on board was safe and had a fantastic view of the action. To top it off, we even took a dip in the waters of Drake Bay, which was a refreshing end to our adventure.
This tour was a highlight of our trip to Costa Rica, providing us with memories that we are still processing. It was an educational, awe-inspiring, and fun experience for the whole family. If you find yourself in Drake Bay, do not miss this incredible opportunity to connect with nature in such a unique and exciting way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Discover15022985361
Jan 15, 2025
An amazing day out on the water - We had such a great time on this tour the first time, we just had to go a second time. On our Jan 8 tour we came across spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins within the first hour and then were entertained by a mega pod of spinner dolphins for about 60 minutes later in the day. Definitely a wow experience from start to finish.
Our tour on Jan 11 was very different but still amazing. Katie, the onboard naturalist did a great job of explaining the risks commercial fishing poses for the dolphin population, the work the company’s owner, Sierra, is doing trying to elevate the area to a Marine Protected Area, the different types of dolphins in the area, and lots of info about whales that frequent the area seasonally. Captain Dennis expertly followed birds to 4 bait balls, went to all the dolphins’ favourite spots and reached out to fishing boats but nature is unpredictable and she was being elusive for the first couple hours of the tour. Then our luck changed and we came across a Beaked whale - an encounter so rare, owner Sierra has only seen a few over the 27 years of running her company. We then had a cooling off dip, great snacks and lunch, and saw jumping tuna and flying fish. On the way back we found 2 sea turtles and then spotted a pod of playful bottle nose dolphins. The baby dolphin was especially cute and we all thoroughly enjoyed the acrobatic jumps displayed by the pod. Kudos to Katie, Dennis and Sierra for making the trip fun, informative from start to finish, and for persevering in an unpredictable environment. We would definitely recommend this experience to others, whether singles, couples or families with kids.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jadesiu
Jan 15, 2025
Relaxing boat ride with whales & dolphins - We had an amazing time. Chill time on the boat, seeing dolphins and whales. Also saw the waterfall and caves. Katie was a great guide, very knowedgeable!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samanthase9019qu
Jan 14, 2025
Highly Recommend! Excellent Experience - Our experience with Divine Dolphin was outstanding! We chose Divine Dolphin because of the contribution the owner and company has made to protecting the marine area and the species that live in it. We were not disappointed. Our guide, Katie, was phenomenal. She was extremely knowledgeable. She and the amazing boat captain ensured safety and a once in a lifetime experience. We were able to witness hundreds of spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, an Olive Ridley turtle, sailfish and even a sloth hanging in a tree on shore. It really was an exceptional day. Thank you! We will be back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevinfw6436uo
Feb 25, 2025
No dolphins , no whales , no snorkeling - My wife & I travelled to Drake's Bay specifically to take the Divine Dolphin cruise on Wednesday, February 19th. 2025.
Unfortunately, it was not what the website had promised in that we saw no dolphins , no whales , no turtles & were not offered the opportunity to snorkel.
I can't say it any clearer than that.....we saw zero sealife & didn't hear anything either as the advertised "hydrophone" wasn't turned on.
We spent almost 5 hours motoring around without seeing any sealife or getting a chance to swim ( except for a pee break ) or snorkel.
I did contact the owner directly by e-mail shortly after the tour and whilst she agreed that the excursion was disappointing she declined to offer any discount on another tour.
Given that we live over 8,000 km away the likelihood of us being able to take up such an offer is pretty slim but it would have been a nice gesture.
Finally, I found a 6" human hair in the trail mix snack provided which was pretty disgusting.
Overall the tour was an extremely disappointing experience & I feel like a fool for outlaying $250 ( inc fees ) for such an experience.
I'm sure that the owner will respond & attempt to discredit my honest review but the bottom line is , we saw NO dolphins , NO whales & DIDN'T snorkle which are the activities that the tour advertises.
Review provided by Tripadvisor