Catamaran Espiritu de Costa Rica
FIRST CLASS CRUISIN` TOURS
ON THE PACIFIC QUEST CRUISE,
PACIFIC QUEST CRUISE At our bar you can enjoy a wide selection of
national and other liquors, you will love the food on our buffet,
our ceviche is famous for its excellent flavor, and the fresh fruits
will be just perfect to enjoy the sun or the live music.
Whales Sightings Guaranteed - see the new born calves before they
migrate back to the cold waters of the Arctic or Antarctic.
Few things are more exciting and
rewarding than catching a glimpse of a magnificent Humpback Whale
arching through the open ocean. Costa Rica is one of only two places
in the world where whales from both the northern and southern
hemispheres meet. Whales are not migrating through Costa Rica. This
is their destination!
Some of the benefits of a Pacific Quest whale watching cruise are:
Caution. Whale watching is addictive!
Whale Watching Costa Rica
The Costa Rica Southern Pacific Coast is unique to the world of
whales and dolphins.
Responsible Whale Watch Operator Association
Proudly certified by the
Responsible Whale Watch Operators Association
• Best wildlife-viewing vessel in Costa Rica.
• Largest elevated whale watching observation deck in the Pacific
Ocean.
• Our onboard naturalist provides educational background on
Cetaceans and answers all your questions.
• Restrooms and snack bar aboard.
• Flagged and licensed by Costa Rica.
• The 110' steel hull, catamaran design is safe and stable. We do
not use open, single engine Zodiac, Panga or skiffs for any offshore
whale watching trip.
• Pacific Quest is the only boat certified in Costa Rica by the
international Responsible Whale Watch Operators Association.
• The entire Pacific Quest crew is committed to marine education.
Besides insuring our guests know more about whales than when we met
them, marine biologists regularly join our whale watch tour to
conduct their own research.
• On-board hydrophone. Pacific Quest is equipped with an electronic
underwater hydrophone allowing everyone listen to the whale songs.
Pacific Quest
• Guaranteed Sightings! Should you not see a whale you can come
again for free until you do - for life, no expiration.
• Local, bilingual naturalist is on board to teach everyone about
whales and identify what we see on the trip.
• Whales migrate to Costa Rican waters November to March and from
July to December (a nine month whale watching season!) They give
birth to their young here. Some stay all year. This is the best
whale watching location in the Pacific Ocean.
• Whale watching tours from Dominical. Scheduled tour packages
include transportation from other locations within Costa Rica.
• Whale watching tours are between 3-1/2 and 4 hours. Morning and
afternoon whale watching cruises available to fit any vacation.
• The Humpback Whale is normally the star of the show with their
acrobatic breaches and flashing their whale tail. Costa Rica is also
home to
Blue Whales, Pilot Whales, Beaked Whales, Brydes Whales,
Orcas, Sei Whales
and False Killer Whales, along with six species of
dolphins.
• Marine biologists frequently join our whale watching trip doing
research. They will explain what they are doing and how they do it.
Frequently asked questions about whales
Why do whales breach (jump out of the water)?
Great question. And our marine biologist tells us no one knows.
There are many theories, though. They might be communicating.
Instead of underwater sonar, the belly flop can be heard for miles.
Perhaps they are telling their friends there is a food here. Or
danger? Or showing off to a mate?
Another theory is that they are cleaning themselves of dead skin and
barnacles. One biologist thinks it may allow them to see a greater
distance and alert ships in the area of their presence.
Bottom line. We don't know. But we really enjoy watching them do it.
Why Do Whales Sing?
Great question. And our marine biologist tells us no one knows. Are
you starting to see a pattern here?
It could be a mating call, some sort of echo location technique or a
means of communication (did you see Star Trek IV?)
Here is what researchers do know about whale songs.
• Only males sing.
• Each male in a pod sings the same song.
• The song changes from season to seaon. No songs from any two years
are identical.
The only thing the scientists do agree upon, is that the key to
discovering why whales sing is to ensure they have protected
populations. Banning the Japanese from killing whales (particularly
the endangered Humpback Whale) is one of the biggest challenges
today.
Why do the Japanese kill whales?
The Japanese government states they kill 1,000 whales per year as
part of a "scientific research program". The can the meat and sell
it in restaurants across Japan. (Each whale is worth up to $250,000
in food sales.) Since the international whaling ban, Japan has
killed Sperm, Brydes, Minke, Fin and Sei whales. They announced in
1998 they were going to start killing up to 50 Humpback Whales a
year.
A 1999 documentary film named "The Cove" filmed Japanese fishermen
in the town of Taiji, Japan killing whales and dolphins by the
hundreds. Some 23,000 dolphins are killed there per year. Up to 50
whales have been killed in a single day. DNA testing confirmed the
that dolphin meat is being sold in fish markets and given to schools
as whale meat. Additional testing confirmed the meat has high levels
of mercury and is dangerous to humans.
Perhaps the most popular of the dolphins, is characterized by its
long and rugged texture.
Can measure nearly 4 feet and weigh about 300 kg, but can reach 650
kg.
more...
The humpback and sperm whales can be seen between August and
December each year.
The pilot on the other hand, are in mid-Pacific waters and south
throughout the year as they usually live in warm tropical waters.
more...
An international group of dedicated whale
watching companies committed to research, education, and responsible
wildlife viewing.
Using the best science available, our association has developed a
set of whale & wildlife viewing guidelines utilized throughout the
world to protect cetaceans, their habitats and the whale watching
public.
Before you book your next whale watching trip, look for our logo.
Or, ask the tour operator if they abide by our association's common
sense guidelines used throughout the world.
For tour information or
reservations, Dominical Costa Rica Telephones: (506) 2643-2441 - (506) 8819-1920
Call Toll Free: 1 800 213 7091 • email us at: info@kingtours.com •
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