Whale watching in the Pacific Coast
Emblematic places and Wildlife Sighting
Choco department is located in the western coast of Colombia and the major part of the department borders the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the best preserved natural landscapes in the country due to its isolation. The lush jungles and frequent rainfalls ensure amazing biodiversity of the region. There are extensions of mangroves that serve as a refuge for a large number of marine fauna. Nuquí, Bahía Solano and PNN Utria are an exotic paradise, far away from the crowds the nature vibrates in its entire splendor. Chocó also offers world class fishing and diving activities. This area is mostly inhabited by afro-Colombian communities.
The immense black solitary beaches, the innumerable currents of fresh water and the beauty of the jungle meeting the ocean, local communities – those are the experiences each traveller will live during this tour.
From July to October the top activity is YUBARTA whale watching.
Day 1: Charter flight from Medellin Olaya Herrera airport to Nuqui. The flight takes about 45 minutes. After you land in Nuqui, we will pick you up at the airport and will take to the pier for a boat ride towards the beach cabins which takes about 40 minutes. After settling in the lodge and having lunch, we will walk to the nearest waterfall Cascada del Amor or if you arrive early, you might do a jungle walk along the Rio Terco. Return to the lodge and rest.
Day 2: In the morning you will take a boat in search of Yubarta whales. This activity takes about 2 hours riding the boat in open sea trying to get as close as possible to these enormous mammals. After lunch you will head by boat to Jobí village where you will enjoy a ride of typical canoe on the Jobí river to the waterfall Chontaduro. The typical canoe is called “”Chingo”” – a wooden canoe used by the Embera Indians.
You will return to the cabins walking along the beach. The walk might take about 1 and a half hour. Rest.
Day 3: In the morning one again, we will repeat the whale watching activity. Lunch. In the afternoon we will walk for 1 hour on the beach till the small village called Termales. Termales possess a small thermal spring pool where you can enjoy some relaxing bath. Return back to the lodge walking.
Day 4: Depending on your return flight, transfer by boat back to Nuqui. Normally there are flights in the morning and about midday. End of the tour.
- The charter flights normally depart in the morning (about 8 and 9AM) and about midday (12 and 1PM). Depending on the date you choose for your travel, we will inform you the exact time.
- Charter flights quite common suffer from flight time changes due to airport operations and actual weather conditions in Medellin and Nuqui. The departures are normally re-confirmed the day before, still delays are possible. Please be patient!
- In Choco there are no bilingual guides. We can offer you to take the tour in Spanish or if you desire, we can arrange you a bilingual guide from Medellin for an extra cost. Please request, subject of availability.
- The cabins are located on the beach; those are confortable wooden constructions. The rooms do not have any glass in the windows; there is no fan nor AC, and no hot water.
- All the beds have linens and mosquito net
- The food served in the cabins is mostly fish and seafood, if you are vegetarian or allergic or you have any other food restriction, please let us know in advance so that we can arrange you special meals
- All the activities mention depend very much on the tides, for this reason there might be changes in order in which the activities are carried out.
- There is a possibility to arrange some extra activities directly in the lodge
- The energy used is Renewable Energy (Solar), therefore we request your collaboration to charge your electronic equipment during the day. At night the accumulated energy is only used for illuminating the lodge
- It is essential to include a flashlight in the luggage
- Please note that there are no ATMs or banks in the area, nor can you make payments by credit card, you must carry cash in Colombian pesos
- We recommend that you keep a pair of shorts and sandals at hand, so that you can change rapidly before you board the boat on your arrival. It is possible that you get wet during the boat ride
- It is recommended to carry a back pack. The bags with wheels are uncomfortable for transfers by boat and on foot. Carry only what is necessary.
- When sailing do not throw waste overboard
- It is recommended to have the yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations up to date