Within the first 25 minutes of our whale watching cruise on board the Tom Cat Catamaran out of Quepos on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica we saw a full fluke and a full breach. Over the next three hours we saw at least two dozen humpback whales including mothers, calves, and males in equally dramatic displays.
Here are some humpback highlights and a hotel where you can watch whales from bed.
This full breach of a humpback whale was an awesome way to kick off our whale watching trip in Costa Rica.
Humpback whales pretty much win every belly flop contest.
It wasn’t uncommon for us to see groups of humpbacks, not just individual whales, during our whale watching trip in Costa Rica.
An impressive full fluke.
This humpback cruised past us not far from the catamaran we were on during a whale watching trip in Costa Rica.
Either this is two humpbacks or we’ve got photographic evidence of a humpback version of the Loch Ness monster.
They make it look so easy and so fun.
A humpback checking us out as we checked it out.
Spouting and showing off those powerful flippers.
A humpback spouting and relaxing in a small cove off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
This fluke display got a round of applause from passengers on the boat.
A tiny bit of a massive humpback breaks the water as it travels by our whale watching boat in Costa Rica.
Our guide told us that the fluke displays and tail slapping that we saw were probably a way for male humpbacks to communicate and show off for the females.
Whale watching from bed
We could practically see whales right from our room at the Parador Resort & Spa in Quepos. Built along an undulating ridge line, the 129 rooms at the Parador take advantage of some of the most spectacular coastal vistas in an area known for spectacular coastal vistas.
The Parador Resort & Spa in Quepos, Costa Rica has one of the most spectacular views on the Pacific Coast, including parts of Manuel Antonio National Park and passing whales.
Opened in 1995 by the Schans family, the Parador is one of the largest and most resort-like accommodation in Quepos. Set on 12 acres (5 hectares), the Parador includes three pools, a petite but full-service spa, walking trails and beach access. You wouldn’t think a resort of this size could be very green but the Parador is consistently recognized for its eco efforts including composting, water and energy conservation, collection and use of rainwater, and support of local reforestation and beach clean up programs.
One of the three pools at the Parador Resort & Spa in Quepos, Costa Rica.
With 129 rooms there are a lot of categories to choose from but our advice is to go big. The most spectacular rooms at the Parador are the premium plus rooms and the suites which earn every penny with spectacular ocean and coastal views, including portions of Manuel Antonio National Park. Want to do some whale watching right from bed? Book room #5532, which made our Best Hotels of 2012 list as “best bed with a view.”
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You have really good luck. You collect some awesome pictures of humpback whales. I think it was an exciting moment for you.
Whale watching is always a great experience. Every time we have been we come back with 1,000 photos of which about 10 are any good. Timing is everything, you have done very well with your photos :)
Whale watching around the Coast of Manuel Antonio is a wonderful experience and it is especially great during the months of August, September and October, which are the peak season to view the Humpback Whale.