Bahia Uvita is a heavenly place with golden sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and beautiful coral reefs. One of the highlights is walking out to Punta Uvita Tombola at low tide. This strangely shaped sand bar and rocky islet is known as the Whale’s Tail – appropriate as the area is part of the Ballena Marine National Park.
Unfortunately this incredible spot 27NM north of Drake Bay is unfortunately a very mediocre overnight rest stop. It is effectively a roadstead anchorage with no shelter from the wind and the swell drives straight into the bay. It is a great anchorage in calm weather.
Approaches
No info
Anchorage
The bay shoals rapidly so anchoring in 6m feels a long way offshore. The holding in sand is good. Tuck in to the NW corner of the bay as best you can but this is a rolly anchorage and a stern anchor or flopper stoppers would help. Take great care landing a dinghy on the beach as waves break all around the bay.
Facilities
Uvita boasts a bank, a hardware store and a supermarket as well as the usual restaurants and guest houses and tour operators. Diving and snorkeling are good around the rocks south of the point, the water is crystal clear and the reefs are healthy.
The Ballena Marine National Park was created as a safe area for humpback whale to breed and feed during their annual migrations. During summer months (July to mid November) the whales migrate north to their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic, then travel back to their winter breeding and calving grounds in the warmer tropical waters of Costa Rica (December to April). Sit on your back deck or book a whale-watching tour in the village.
