This small tree lined cove south of Punta Esquinas on the east coast of Golfo Dulce is completely surrounded by Piedras Blancas National Park. It has a steeply sloping floor and is exposed to wind and swell from NW to SE. Playa Cativo 1NM to the east is better sheltered and has more space to anchor.

The Osa Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal rescue centre located in the Piedras Blancas National Park. It can only be reached by boat and has a dock in the bay.

Approaches

No info

Anchorage

Anchor in the centre of the cove on sand steering clear of the reef on the north side of the bay and the shoal area off the small beach. Dinghy in to the beach and visit the wildlife sanctuary.

Facilities

The Osa Wildlife Sanctuary is a centre where indigenous animals that have been abandoned, orphaned, injured are brought to be rehabilitated and if possible returned to the wild. It is open to the public and tour boats from Golfito bring tourists to visit the sanctuary.

Another small bay lying at the head of the Golfo Dulce, Pargo’s Cove is remote from everything. The tree lined bay has no beach but the nearby reefs are good for snorkeling.

Approaches

No info

Anchorage

Anchor in the centre of the bay in 3.3m on sand and mud. Dinghy ashore to the sand flats at the head of the bay which are exposed at low tide.

Facilities

None.

Orchid House anchorage is named after Casa Orchideas, a botanical garden located behind the beach which hosts hundreds of species of ornamental and edible tropical plants. collected and cultivated by the McAllister family over these many years.

The bay is sheltered from northerly and easterly winds but is open to weather and swell from the south and west.

Approaches

No info

Anchorage

The seabed is steeply dipping and there is only space for one or two boats to anchor in the shallow area in the corner of the bay.  Tour boats anchor on a shoal area which extends out from the northern shore close to the river mouth.

Facilities

A white sign on the beach on the north shore indicates the path to Casa Orchideas botanical gardens. The gardens display a phenomenal collection of orchids as well as a wide variety of palms, heliconias, bromeliads, exotic fruit trees, spices, flowers and medicinal plants. It is a magnet for dozens of different kinds of birds, butterflies and insects. During the two hour guided tour you have the chance to smell and taste exotic fruits and learn about natural medicinal rain forest plants.