Kayakers in Awe After Close Call with Breaching Whale and Her Calf
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NEED TO KNOW
- Kayaker with Mamawata Surf Retreat in Costa Rica witnessed an adult humpback whale and her calf breaching the waters in close proximity
- “We were secretly hoping to maybe spot some whales since my boyfriend and I had been seeing them from our house the past few days – but honestly, we had no expectations,” Mamawata Surf Retreat shared
- The International Whaling Commission states that about 34 species of whales and dolphins spend time in Costa Rican waters
A group of kayakers in Costa Rica got a boat ride and a show.
A group from Mamawata Surf Retreat paddled out from Playa Escondido on Saturday, Aug. 23, when they witnessed an adult humpback whale and her calf breaching the water close by.
“Yesterday, we invited some friends over to go kayaking as a cool Saturday plan. We were secretly hoping to maybe spot some whales since my boyfriend and I had been seeing them from our house the past few days – but honestly, we had no expectations,” Mamawata Surf Retreat captioned an Instagram post about the surprise encounter.
Mamawata Surf Retreat via Storyful
“What we didn’t know was that this mama and her baby were about to put on this kind of show for us! At first, they were just swimming and coming up for air around us… and then this happened,” the account added.
Footage shows two kayakers in awe as a large humpback whale erupts from the water in an elegant dive, leaving an impressive splash in her wake. Then, moments later, a smaller whale, the other humpback’s calf, mimics the motion.
According to the National Park Service, adult humpback whales are approximately 45 to 56 feet long, with females being significantly larger than males on average. Calves, meanwhile, are about 16 to 18 feet long.
The International Whaling Commission reports that approximately 34 species of whales and dolphins have been observed in Costa Rica, including two distinct humpback whale populations.
Mamawata Surf Retreat via Storyful
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From December to March, some humpback whales migrate from the Northwest coast of the United States to Costa Rica to give birth and raise their young, according to the organization. From July to November, humpback whales from the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Chile migrate to the warmer water around Costa Rica to breed.
A whale festival is held in the Costa Rican town of Bahía Ballena every September to celebrate the annual migration.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
