11 May 2011

Costa Rica

Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park

Drake Bay is home to some of the highest biodiversity on Earth. “Where the warm deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean meet the lush green Tropical Rainforests of Drake Bay” is the motto of the Hotel “Jinetes de Osa” which I can recommend to you. It is a marvellous spot where you can explore marine life off Caño Island (snorkelling or scuba diving) and hike through the Tropical Rainforest close to or inside the Corcovado National Park.
There are numerous activities organised for you in small groups by the staff of Jinetes de Osa with their friendly family-like atmosphere. Even arriving to the Hotel by boat from Sierpe is a wildlife adventure.

Hotel Jinetes de Osa

Click here to find out more about my Costa Rica experience.

Or check out here for the most beautiful images.

Baja California (Mexico)

... coming soon

Silver Bank (Carribean)

The Silver Bank is located between the North of the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Carribean. Since 1986, Silverbank is declared together with “Navidad Banks” and “Samana Bay” and the surrounding ocean as a “Sanctuary for Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic” and it is supposed to be the most important breeding and calving zone of humpback whales in the North Atlantic. It is estimated that during the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere, three to five thousand humpback whales pass through this shallow area not deeper than 30 meters. Coral heads reach the surface at low tide. Large Ships cannot pass through this area. Access to “Silverbank” is limited and all boats need permission and are obliged to follow strict regulations. This ensures that this area is not crowded by visitors and helps to protect the whales.
Anchorage of the boats to visit this area is close to wreck of the freighter Polyxeni.
For the encounters with the whales there are also guidelines to follow: people float quietly, only with mask, snorkel and fins, on the surface of the ocean close to whales to allow the whales, if they are interested, to get closer or not. Scuba diving is not allowed.
There are different operators organizing tours to Silverbank.

Check out here for the most breathtaking humpback whale encounters.