Last Updated: February 4, 2025
Nature works in mysterious ways. And one really interesting oddity of nature is the so called whale tail that juts into the Pacific Ocean on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. This giant rock and sand formation not only has the distinct shape of a whale’s tail, but is located in the exact spot where hundreds of humpback whales gather each year. In this post, we’ll let you know how to see the famed whale tail for yourself.
About the Whale Tail
Marino Ballena National Park
Costa Rica’s famous whale tail is located in the small town of Uvita, about an hour south of Manuel Antonio. It is part of Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (the National Marine Whale Park).
This national park, one of only two marine national parks in the country, consists of 270 acres (110 hectares) of protected land and 13,200 acres (5,375 hectares) of ocean. The delicate ecosystems that the park protects include mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, and whale-breeding grounds.
Check out our short video of Marino Ballena National Park
How Did the Whale Tail Form?
The whale tail itself is a result of converging ocean currents. These currents deposit sand on top of the rock formations to create the unique, tail-shaped pattern.
If you are planning a visit, this area of Costa Rica is known as the Costa Ballena (Whale Coast). It is made up three towns, Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal. For more information about this stretch of coastline, including some hotel and activity recommendations, check out our post all about it.
Access
The cool thing about Uvita’s whale tail is that it can be enjoyed from many different vantage points. Here are the three best ones.
The Bird’s Eye View
The first way to see the whale tail is from above. Although some people might catch a glimpse if they are flying on a small plane to or from Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez (see cover photo) on the Osa Peninsula, an easier way is to drive into the hills.
Since the Costa Ballena has steep mountains very close to the ocean, you can see the fin-shaped sandbar from the balconies of vacation rentals, hotels, or even from different spots along mountain roads.
One easy place to see it is from the road near Rancho La Merced (on the highway just north of Uvita). This steep (now paved) road eventually leads up to a village called San Josecito. But only a few minutes’ drive up the mountain, there is this gorgeous view.
Visiting Marino Ballena National Park
Another way to enjoy the whale tail is to get up close and actually walk out onto the rocks and sand that make up the tail.
This can be done only at lower tides, so check the charts to see what time you should go.
Entering the Park
First, you’ll need to get tickets to enter Marino Ballena National Park ($6 foreigners, ₡1,000 nationals).
Then you’ll walk from the main entrance in Uvita’s Bahia Ballena neighborhood (see map).
The park has three other entrances, on different beaches, so be sure to start from the right place at Playa Uvita.
It only takes about 15 minutes to reach the point from the ranger station, but keep in mind that it can be very hot. There is absolutely no shade.
Make sure to take water and wear some sun protection. For shoes, navigating on the uneven rocks can be tricky, and although we have done it in flip-flops, it would be much easier in sturdy sandals or sneakers.
Safety Notice: There have been a few incidents of people being robbed while out on the whale tail. So it’s best not to bring much with you.
What You’ll See
From the tip of the whale tail, you can explore the thousands of little tide pools and rock formations that are normally covered at high tide.
When we’ve gone out, we have seen all kinds of small fish, snails, and crabs in these pools. Some people even snorkel in the adjacent waters if conditions are good. We haven’t been lucky enough to time it just right.
In our opinion, though, the best part of visiting the tip of the whale tail is to look back to shore and take in the amazing mountain and beach views that make this area of Costa Rica so special.
Go by Sea
A third way to enjoy the whale tail is to get out on the water. If you liked the view from the tip of the tail, you’ll love the vantage point from farther out in the ocean.
There are a few different options for this.
One is to take a whale watching tour from Uvita.
These tours will take you around the tip of the tail and to some of the small offshore islands nearby. The whales come for about nine months a year, so make sure to time it right. We wrote a whole post about this. You can read it here: Whale Watching in Costa Rica.
If you’d like to book a whale watching tour through the company we went out, click here. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website!
Other tours out of Uvita include kayak and stand up paddle-boarding (SUP), which also go out around the tip of the tail and the islands.
Conclusion
Uvita’s whale tail is a unique natural phenomenon that you won’t want to miss when visiting Uvita, Costa Rica. When we first explored this area of the country back in 2007, we fell in love with it. We’ll never forget trekking out to the tip of the whale tail for the first time, totally unprepared and sunburned, but in awe of the raw beauty of the ocean and lush green mountains. Hopefully this post will get you ready for your own adventure, and you’ll love it just as much as we do.
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Have a question about visiting the whale tail in Uvita? Ask it below.
Looking for more information about this region of Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
9 Things to Do in Uvita: Ocean, Nature & Culture – Get tips on other fun things to do in the area like a coconut tour and family coffee tour.
Best Restaurants in Uvita – Check out our guide to the best places to eat in town.
Costa Rica Rental Car Discount – The Costa Ballena is more remote and best accessed with a rental car. Check out our discount to save some money.
