Whale season is back. Around the beginning of August the southern humpback whales appear with their young in the Gulfo Dulce, off the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. They typically hang around for several months rearing their young and they are an impressive sight. It is not uncommon to see them breaching or spouting just off the reef in front of Iguana Lodge.
Humpback whale and baby just seen in the last few days. Photo courtesy of Almentours.
Our buddy Dean took his paddle board out yesterday and came up on two mama’s and their babies. He said it was incredible. For those who are less ambitious, Henry Almengor of Almentours of Costa Rica will happily take you out to whale watch. He told me yesterday not only did he see the humpbacks and their babies but pilot whales as well.
Humpback whales grow to more than 50 feet long and weigh almost 80,000 lbs. They migrate 16000 miles a year, feeding on krill and small fish in the polar waters during the summer and breeding and giving birth in the tropical waters during the winters. The humpback in fact only eats during the summer months, fasting and living off its body fat during the winter.
