Chapter 35: One Final Oceanic Adventure

SuperPod of Spinner Dolphins in Costa Rica

Chapter 35: One Final Oceanic Adventure
Sunday, March 9, 2025

Admittedly, dolphins are not whales.

But, when I heard that Patrick Dykstra, my host on the June, 2024, sperm whale swim in Dominica (Chapters 1-9 of this blog) was into dolphins as well as whales, I reached out. He wrote back with "the trip video from our dolphin superpod trip in Costa Rica last year. If it's something that interests you, let me know..." Here is that video:

How could I say "no" to that?

So, here I am in San Jose, Costa Rica, after an easy non-stop 3-hour flight from Orlando which took me directly over the island nation of Cuba where one south-coast vista caught my eye. I am traveling light, following Dykstra's guidance: “If you showed up with a mask, snorkel, swimsuit and toothbrush, you’d probably be just fine.” He did recommend more however, to include sunblock and sunglasses, a hat, a “rash guard for your upper body” and, if you want to go all out, a rain/splash jacket. “This is to wear in case it rains, gets windy or we have spray off of the ocean,” he advises.

I brought the Marmot Gore-Tex jacket I wore in the San Ignacio Lagoon where it served me well along with the mask and snorkel I acquired for my humpback swim in the Cook Islands.

Rash guards, by the way, differ from a more typical swim shirt in that they fit more tightly/snugly to prevent chafing and to minimize drag in the water. Mine serve the dual function of blocking skin-cancer-causing-UV rays by also containing high ultraviolet protection factor treatments.

A fun Patrick comment regarding hats: “Again, it’s sunny out there. One with a strap is good so it doesn’t fly off in the wind. If no strap, bring 2 or 3 just in case.” ‘Nuf said.’

To refresh your memory, you can re-read all about Patrick Dykstra by scrolling back to Chapter 3: Swimming With Sperm Whales.

I admire and respect and like him enough that I am coming back for another adventure with him—that says it all. Plus, I have loved Costa Rica on past journeys here. We depart from Puntarenas--a place I have not visited--but that my Southwest flight flew over on the way into San Jose. I think this is the marina from which we will depart.

Come on along; it should be fun.