Who We Are:
Changing Tide Tours is a local, family-owned company, proudly operating since 2014. At our core, we believe in environmental stewardship, and we’re passionate about sharing the beauty of the Golfo Dulce’s wildlife with the world. By educating our guests, we aim to inspire environmentally responsible choices that protect our oceans for future generations.
Leading By Example
Today, Changing Tide Tours is recognized as an industry leader in conservation, sustainable tourism and consistent quality of product. We see each guest as a VIP—someone who by experiencing and learning about the Golfo Dulce and its wildlife can advocate for the health of ocean ecosystems, no matter where they live. This commitment is why we’ve enjoyed the #1 position for dolphin and whale watching in Puerto Jimenez on Trip Advisor since we began!
We lead by example. Over the years, we’ve won national and international awards for our commitment to guest experience and environmental sustainability. We were the first in the industry to join 1% for the Planet, to adopt carbon neutrality, and to implement a per-guest wildlife fee to support regional research and conservation activities.
The Oceans Need Our Help
There’s still so much work to be done. Conservation requires science, public awareness, and community support. That’s why we’re expanding our partnerships with local research institutions, educational organizations, and community groups—all working together toward the common goal of marine conservation. Our boats are not just tour vessels; they’re also platforms for scientific data collection, directly contributing to the protection of the Golfo Dulce.
We invite you to explore our website, join us on a tour, and learn how you can be part of the solution to protect marine ecosystems in Costa Rica and beyond.
Our Mission:
To inspire advocacy for whales, dolphins and oceans.
At Changing Tide Tours, we’re driven by our passion to understand cetacean behavior and communication—and to share that knowledge with you. Their conservation is at the heart of everything we do.
Our Vision: Four Pillars of Action
1. Research:
The tours are part of our fieldwork! Science brings conservation solutions. We cultivate and support community-based research partnerships. We actively conduct and enable research on board our vessels as part of our enhanced guest experience.
Monitoring Populations and Habitats
Short and long term monitoring of local cetacean populations and their habitat, to help with their preservation. Photo-identification, Distance, and other standard data collection methodologies are used to assess abundance, density, distribution and habitat use.
Anthropogenic Impact
Constant monitoring of the anthropogenic impacts affecting the local cetaceans. Data is collected for any issues affecting the populations, in order to have scientific evidence to show to the public, and the pertinent bodies responsible for implementing adecuate regulation and management. Evaluation is made to prioritize the action among the different impacts negatively affecting cetaceans around the Golfo Dulce.
Dolphin language
This project blends together behavior, bioacoustics and cymatics for the study of dolphin and whale vocalizations and communication. Sound and visual recordings together with cymatic images, are used for a better comprehension of dolphin and whale languages.
Applied Sciences & Connection to Humans
Understanding the bond between humans and cetaceans, as well as the effect of cetacean sounds on humans, including its applications in neuroscience, psychology and sound medicine.
2. Conservation:
It’s at the heart of everything we do. Through responsible wildlife viewing and innovative community partnerships, our overarching goal is to restore and protect marine ecosystems in the Golfo Dulce and beyond. Apart from the Research projects with conservation purposes, we carry out projects that involve ¨hands on¨ action:
Wildlife Rescue and Collection of Macroplastic and other Marine Debris
Marine wildlife being entangled in fishing gear, rope, plastics and other garbage, is becoming more frequent, and can cause serious injuries and death. If we see wildlife in such distress, we stop and help, or call for help. We also pick up any small hazard item we encounter. In case of large items, we try to tow, or if not possible, we call the coast guard. Every month we try to go out at sea at least one day, without clients just to collect as much garbage as we can.
Planting mangroves
Mangroves are very important components for the ocean wildlife. For every person who tours we us we plant a mangrove in the Golfo Dulce, in areas where they were historically found but have been cut down. Mangroves really are the nurseries of the oceans and we want to ensure they continue to exist.
3. Collaborations and Partners
Changing Tide Tours supports and collaborates with NGOs, Universities and Research projects. Here is a list of those entities we collaborate with:
INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje)
Osa Ecology
University of Costa Rica
MINAE – SINAC – ACOSA
World Cetacean Alliance
World Animal Protection
Travellers Against Plastic
The ONDAS Lab, University of Vermont
4. Sustainability:
We think and act green. Sustainability is in our DNA. We strive to eliminate our environmental footprint. We’re ready to embrace the new vision of regenerative tourism.
Education and outreach
At Changing Tide Tours, education is a priority. We love sharing our knowledge about cetaceans, the challenges they face, and what everyone can do to help. On board, we provide information about eco-friendly products, consumer guides, and sustainable living tips to empower our guests to make positive changes in their daily lives.
Come discover the magic of the Golfo Dulce with us and join our mission to protect the oceans!