Sirenas Diving Costa Rica, a small, diving, snorkeling and fishing tour company that operates in Guanacaste had the opportunity to capture an amazing experience in video this past January 22 about 800 meters from the coast of Playas del Coco.

Bobbie Joe and her husband Jose Daniel Barrera from Sirenas Diving, were giving snorkeling lessons in the area when they had a close encounter with a baby humpback whale, the calf was friendly and playful with the lucky group.

The waters of Costa Rica are home to over a dozen marine mammal species, and humpback whales are easily spotted during several months in the year. Humpback females give birth to a single calf which feeds in milk over the first year and can reach at least 26 feet in these first 12 months.

The post reads:

“Once in a lifetime event. This is not the norm…we normally do not get in the water with the whales but this day was special. Everyone on board were experienced in the water and the whale was very docile. I think we have been watching and listening to this baby for over a year. This is from January 22nd. We have seen them from the boat since then and have heard them talking underwater but no more close encounters. I just know one day one of them will approach me while scuba diving….Soooooo Going diving diving diving tomorrow :) Snorkelers and boat riders are welcome to join us :) Diving, Fishing, Snorkeling and Surfing. Live LOVE Laugh”