Whales Vacations In Costa Rica

The whales of the world come from the Artic and Antarctic to a huge shelf off the Southern Pacific Coast called "the Dome". Why the Dome? In this area low-oxygen cold waters well up through shallow warm waters, creating a rich eco-system and marine life. The humpback takes leave of his cold Antarctic home, traveling over 11,000 miles for a romantic vacation in these warm waters from July to November. Those whales living in the Arctic take leave to the warmer waters off Costa Rica during October to April. The real purpose of both groups is romance and making babies.

Up to 35% of all whale and porpoise species, around 25 varieties, are found in these warmer waters. The largest of all whales is the Blue Whale. This whale has been hunted to almost extinction with about 5% remaining since 50 years ago. Humpbacks seem to be the majority whale to be seen in this area and their numbers are down to 10,000. Pilot, Sperm, Pygmy and False Killer whales are also to be seen here. What is surprising to me is to think that the Humpback whales come from two divergent places, the Artic and Antarctic, two cultures of Humpback whales to meet, romance and mate. The meeting time and place seems to be heightened in October and November. The dance and songs begin.

Literally, a symphony of whale songs begins. Each year they are different, maybe changing their tune to attract a more beautiful female. This call of the ocean can be heard for 1000 miles away. The two hemispheres have their own unique songs, but surprisingly they are similar to the prior year's but also different and exceedingly complex. Each consists of grunts, squeaks and hauntingly beautiful sounds. It seems the males only sing their songs in the warm waters off the Ballena/OSA coasts.

Mating takes place and the calves are born off the coast of Cao Island, some 18 miles from the mouth of the Sierpe River. At 4000 birth pounds, a baby consumes more milk in one day than a human in one year. Weight gain is significant at up to 200 pounds in one day. The babies and mother do not feed on marine life in the Costa Rican waters. Mother subsists on her own blubber and looses a great deal of weight during this nursing season. During this summer in Costa Rican waters, mother and baby may be seen with a male escort and mothers can be seen teaching her baby to breach fully out of the water. The mother and baby will spend about a year together and finally separate when the baby has grown to 8-10 meters.

In an effort to preserve this magnificent creature, the Costa Rican Government created in 2008, a presidential executive order, to create a whale and porpoise sanctuary in all its waters. The whale species are critically endangered and all that can be done must be done to preserve these extraordinary creatures.