Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Drake Bay as seen on National Geographic

Pros: we saw dolphins. Road out for a long time, hoping to catch spinner dolphins but it was not meant to be. We did hang out with spotted dolphins which was very special. Lunch and snack provided was good. The young guide (did not catch her name) was very good. She was genuine and shared the typical Costa Rican warmth that we had experienced so far in our 4 week trip. Cons: no whales. I wasn't really expecting any though, based on the description from another company. I chose this one because it was a longer tour, thereby increasing the chances of seeing them and more dolphins. The description also convinced me that their expertise would be a huge plus. Once you sign up, they send you the disclaimer that you may not see it all, which I totally understand, having been on many nature tours. Nature decides what it does or doesn't do. I think it would have been more relaxing if the owner, Sierra wasn't there. She was introduced as having 30 years experience and how she was instrumental in making changes in CR to protect the dolphins. I am very happy to hear that! However, she was very abrupt how she spoke to the guests about standing. Her concern was not for safety reasons but so everyone could see. I would normally agree with this except being short, I could not see above the bow. I'm not sure why everyone couldn't stand and enjoy the dolphins. It would have also been beneficial to put the boat sideways to the dolphins rather than having them constantly in the front of the boat, so that only those in the very front being able to film them. I missed some incredible shots because of this. The saying "you remember how people made you feel" stands true. Her attitude did not portray the typical Costa Rican warmth that we had come to expect. I haven't looked at my photos yet but I'm hoping I got a few good ones to make up for how I feel after the 6 hour trip.

My husband and I went on the tour on 1/14. We didn't see any whales that day however we got up close with some fascinating psuedo orcas that hadn't been seen in 6 months and a good size pod of dolphins! The pseudo orcas were swimming right up to the boat and we got so many great videos and pictures of them. They were amazing!!. I loved the tour, and the only major regret that I had was not booking the same tour 2 days in a row lol.

Unforgettable experience! We've seen a lot of whales, very dense. The team was extremely competent and patient. An absolute highlight!

the guides are very knowledgeable and will make sure that the animals won't be disturbed, which is great. make sure to bring sunscreen, because the sun out there is brutal

This was the most extraordinary dolphin trip I have ever experienced in my life. We spent almost an hour watching spinner dolphins swim around the boat jump out of the water and spin in the air. To see these dolphins swimming around us was truly magical. I cannot recommend this tour enough to anyone eating to see spinner dolphins.

A dream come true for me . My day with Divine Dolphin was beyond magical. We had the joy of immediately connecting with playful dolphins, but what moved me most was the long time we spent communing with a mother humpback and her calf. You could feel the trust and that mom chose to hang out with us. Sierras’s connection with the whales is something truly rare and beautiful to witness . Even as the weather threatened to shift , Sierra and her captain navigated with such calm professionalism, keeping us comfortable and safe while never losing that sense of wonder. Their deep respect for the ocean and its creatures was part of every moment. The whole experience felt special — like being welcomed into a conversation with the ocean itself. Appreciated the lunch and water too ! I left Drake with my heart wide open, grateful for the dolphins and whales, and for this unforgettable experience. This was more than a tour – it was a heart-opening experience that touched the soul. ❤️

Sierra really knows what she’s doing! Her years of experience in this area garners the most exquisite experience. She has tons of knowledge of the area and the sea life that frequents Drake Bay. This tour is not to be missed! I went out several times, as I am aware how the weather affects things, how sea life has a mind of its own, etc. I wanted to be sure to experience the bounty of Drake Bay. And I was not disappointed! We saw many dolphins and whales on the tour, as well as sea snakes and sea turtles, plus diverse bird species. Sierra really takes the time to ensure the guests have what they need & provides everything she possibly can, including tons of interesting knowledge about the species of wildlife around Drake Bay. Highly recommend!

I would recommend finding another tour. I believe I was lied to by owner and staff. You know that feeling you get when something feels off. Divine dolphin has those vibes.

this is a must do. the experience of seeing these gentle creatures glide, play, dance is most heartwarming. we saw many whales, some in performance mode and others just minding their own business. i loved learning about their journeys, and many facts about their lives. a hydrophone was lowered to hear the underwater songs with hertz ranging across the scales of sound music. a world so foreign gave me a new appreciation of the species. i hope to next see the dolphins.

The four of us had a great tour as a family with the good fortune to see flying fish, mating turtles and some dolphins first, a nice start. Then we saw a darting calf with a calm mother for an hour, enjoying herself next to our boat! And then also a heat run, in which 5 whale males chased a female in a spectacular way. It was incredible! For almost an hour we followed the group, with the captain sometimes stopping the boat and you could calmly take in the spectacle. We were quiet about it both times, such beautiful animals right next to the boat... It was nice that Sierra was as enthusiastic as we were. The peace and time there was to spot the animals really well, also contributed a lot. For a clear picture: Sierra took beautiful underwater shots of mother and calf that you can see on Instagram, just like the one from the heat run: @divine.dolphin.sierra. As she says: it's not a question of whether you're going to see whales in season, but the ones who want to show themselves to you. In the 28 years she has done this, there has been virtually no tour without whales or dolphins. Both the calf and its mother, as well as the 5 hot men, did not care about our presence, which made it even more magical. Compliments also to the captain who guided us quietly through the waves (on other tours we have experienced often clapping on the water after a high wave, not always pleasant) and for the delicious care: nuts and dried fruits as a welcome snack, plenty of water and a delicious pasta lunch - a welcome change after all the beans and rice.??? Still in doubt: it is more than worth it, we thought it was one of the best tours we had in CR. A great end to our tour! Thank Sierra and crew!