Most places on Earth get one whale season. Drake Bay gets two.
Every year, two separate populations of humpback whales travel thousands of miles to reach the warm, calm waters off the Osa Peninsula. Southern Hemisphere humpbacks arrive from Antarctica between July and November. Then, from December through April, a second population swims down from the North Pacific. That overlap makes Drake Bay one of the few spots in the world where you can see humpback whales during most of the year.
The two whale seasons, month by month
July to November (the main season). Humpbacks from Antarctica arrive to give birth and nurse their calves. The peak runs from August through October, when sightings are most frequent and mothers stay close to the coast with their newborns. This is when you have the best chance of seeing full body breaches, tail slaps and curious calves surfacing next to the boat.
December to April (the northern season). North Pacific humpbacks make the same journey south. Sightings are a little less predictable than in the main season, but spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins are present in the bay all year round, often in groups of hundreds.
May and June are the quietest months for whales, though dolphin encounters, sea turtles and manta rays are still common on the water.
What a morning on the water looks like
Our whale watching tour leaves the main beach of Drake Bay at 8:00 am and spends five hours on the water, returning by 1:00 pm with lunch served on board. No two trips are the same: some days the whales are just outside the bay, other days we head to the pelagic zone where dolphin pods can number in the thousands. Our captains and guides read the ocean every single morning, and they live here, so they know where the animals have been all week.
The tour costs $120 per person and during high season we recommend booking at least one month ahead, because boats fill up quickly between August and October.
Can I combine whales with Corcovado or Cano Island?
Yes, and honestly this is how most of our guests plan it. Drake Bay sits between two world class destinations: Corcovado National Park and the Cano Island marine reserve. A typical three day visit looks like this:
- Day 1: Whale watching tour in the morning, free afternoon on the beach.
- Day 2: Snorkeling at Cano Island + Sirena Station combo, our most popular tour, which packs the two highlights of the region into a single day.
- Day 3: For wildlife lovers who want to go deeper, the Sirena Overnight, sleeping inside Corcovado at the Sirena Ranger Station, where dawn on the trails is something you will not forget.
During whale season, the boat ride to Cano Island and to Sirena often turns into an unplanned whale watching session: humpbacks are regularly spotted on the way.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best month for whale watching in Drake Bay?
August, September and October. Two seasons run each year (July to November and December to April), but the southern season peak is when mothers and calves are most often seen.
How likely am I to see whales?
During the August to October peak, sightings happen on most trips. Nature makes no promises, but Drake Bay receives two migrations per year, and dolphins are present year round, so the boat never comes back empty handed.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. The boat is comfortable, the water inside the bay is usually calm, and kids tend to love the dolphins riding the bow wave.
What should I bring?
Sunscreen, a hat, swimsuit and towel, and a camera. Lunch and drinking water are included.
Where does the tour leave from?
Exclusively from Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula. If you are staying anywhere in Drake Bay we are minutes away.
Ready to plan your trip? Check availability and book your whale watching tour here or send us a reservation request and we will reply within 24 hours.