Location: Playa Del Coco, Pacific Costa Rica.
Scuba Diving with Humpback Whales
Plus, diving with Bull Sharks and Whitetips at the Bat Islands
Scuba Diving with Humpback Whales
Every summer, Humpback Whales migrate to Costa Rica to give birth and mate in the warm clear waters of the tropical Pacific. This is your chance to enter the water on scuba to see the whales as they go about their day.
There are two types of encounters: Fly-bys where the whales simply continue traveling and we watch them pass and then return to the boat and repeat. And, close encounters where the whales purposely approach divers or make very close passes.
Weather permitting, we usually see whales everyday. All underwater encounters are on the whales terms. When a whales loses interest or moves away, we do not chase or harass it in any way.
Reef Diving, Mantas, and Shark diving at the Bat Islands
After diving with the humpbacks, we will spend our second daily dive at one of the sites around Isla Catalina; a rocky reef system that is home to many schooling reef fishes and occasional mantas, mobulas and reef sharks.
On one day of the trip, we will forego our daily humpback dive completely and make the long run to the infamous Bat Islands where divers regularly encounter large bull sharks and other pelagic predators as well as large schools of resident fishes. The Bat Islands are protected within a national park so the marine life there is approachable, healthy and abundant.
THE ENCOUNTER
Scuba diving with humpback whales, manta encounters, bull sharks and more.
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Colono Beach in Playa del Coco
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Open Water Diver Certification required
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- 5 days of two tank humpback and reef dives
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Snacks on the boat
- National Park entry fees
- Tanks and weights
- Personal scuba equipment
- Experienced Captain and crew
- Photo coaching
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Transfers from Liberia Airport
- Lunch and Dinner
- Crew gratuities
Scuba dive with Humpback Whales
There are a handful of places where you can encounter humpback whales around the world. Most destinations are for snorkellers only but if you dream of encountering humpbacks underwater while on scuba, then the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is the perfect place.
Reef Diving
Although the Pacific coast of Central America is not known for corals, there is an abundance of reef life on Playa del Coco’s protected rocky reefs. Each day after diving with humpbacks, you will enjoy exploring Costa Rica’s underwater landscapes. Common animals that you will likely encounter include giant manta rays, 2m long longtail stingrays, schooling mobula rays, small but abundant spotted round stingrays, clouds of jacks and snappers, and maybe even a rare Pacific nurse shark – an endemic species that was only recently described.
There are plenty of macro subjects too. From colourful nudibranchs to tiny gobies, hawkfishes and seahorses; they’re all here, if you know where to look.
The Bat Islands
On one day of your trip, you will have the chance to head to the Bat Islands; a distant archipelago that is home to huge schools of fish, ruled over by bull sharks, whitetips and other pelagic predators. Only accessible during the summer months, the bat islands are considered the pinnacle of reef diving on the Pacific Coast.
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
TRIP REPORTS
Coming in 2020!
Big Fish Expeditions
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last two decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
