Humpback Whales Off the Shores of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Humpback whales, normally found in tropical cold water, can be found in almost every ocean. These amazing creatures migrate from cold water to tropical waters in the winter, all along the Pacific Coast. But the main reason the female Humpbacks come to tropical waters is to give birth. One of the best places, in the Pacific, to see humpbacks is along the shores of Corcovado National Park and off the coastline in Drake bay in the Osa Peninsula.
The main body color is black to gray, with lighter skin on the throat and belly and wide ridges along the length of the white skin. With a round, wide body that narrows towards the tail, and a flattened, slender head, the humpback has a unique characteristic shape. The white lumps on its head and jaw are home to parasites, whale lice, and crustaceans that live in the whale’s follicles or hairy tubercles. Humpbacks can easily reach lengths of 15 meters and away over 25 tons. For such a large animal they have a relatively small dorsal fin with large flippers that are white on the edges.
The humpbacks can be seen in many coastal waters, spitting out lots of water, jumping on water and falling with a huge sound smashing its back on the water. They travel alone, in small pods, or groups of up to 15 in feeding and breeding waters. The most flexible individuals can burst in to the air with a spectacular energy and speed. However, they don’t swim really fast (12km/h) and only dive about 15 minutes at a time.
Before 1964′s protection clause for these creatures, they had reached the high alert zone for endangered species due to whaling ships. Even though the law has prevented many more deaths, they are still on the endangered list because whalers are still allowed to kill them off the western coast of Greenland and Lesser Antilles!
Before 1964′s protection clause for these creatures, they had reached the high alert zone for endangered species due to whaling ships. Even though the law has prevented whaling they are still on the endangered list because this is still allowed off the western coast of Greenland and Lesser Antilles!
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She has traveled here extensively. Now loves organizing vacations to this amazing part of the world, having first hand experience of all the places with her family. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!