If you thought our previous days in Costa Rica were unforgettable, these experiences took our adventure to an entirely new level. From strapping on snorkel gear to explore the vibrant underwater ecosystem of Cahuita’s coral reef, to an up-close-and-personal encounter with surprisingly bold monkeys on an island, and, at some point, taking an awe-inspiring night walk along the coast searching for nesting sea turtles. All are definitely part of a natural history course, and all opportunities to see the ecosystems of Costa Rica in full swing.

Here is how our action-packed day on the Caribbean coast unfolded!

Exploring Cahuita and Snorkeling the Coral Reef

We started early as the morning sun began burning through the coastal mist. The ocean breeze had a smell of the Caribbean’s fresh, salty air. After a quick breakfast and some general overviews of the area, we made our way to the coast in Cahuita at the national park, famous for protecting one of Costa Rica’s most extensive and important living coral reefs.

The jungle here runs right up to the white sand beaches, creating a stunning backdrop where palm trees overhang turquoise waters. After our brief coastal trek, we headed out to the reef offshore. Having split into two dive/snorkel boats with guides, before diving into the water all students had a general overview of snorkeling: keeping your mask from fogging, not touching the coral, and, perhaps most importantly, getting on and off the boat without falling in your fins.  I felt confident, as I have snorkeled previously and am dive-certified, so I was able to assist the students with some of this information.

Diving Into the Marine Sanctuary

Snorkeling over the coral reef was like drifting through a bustling, silent underwater city. Brain corals, sea fans swaying with the gentle surge, and branching elkhorn structures provided homes for an incredible array of marine life. Unfortunately, much of the coral in this area is dead, as evidenced by the alternating bright and drab colors. In addition to corals, we spotted:

• Parrotfish and Damselfish: Vibrant blue and bright yellow tropical fish darting through the coral crevices.
• A Resting Nurse Shark: Tucked under a ledge on the sandy floor, completely unfazed by our presence.
• A Well-Camouflaged Ray: A couple of lucky members of our group caught sight of a stingray buried softly in the sand.

Seeing how these coral structures serve as the foundation for marine ecosystems sharpens our focus in marine biology discussions.  Back on board and on the way to the next location, the field guides were out!

An Unforgettable Encounter

Before heading back, we stopped at a small island for a snack of fresh fruit. Magnificent fruit. We absolutely loved the pineapple and bananas, and this also attracted the local residents—monkeys. Brash, bold little monkeys who had no qualms about coming right up to the bow of the boat and trying to steal the fruit. One monkey managed to swipe it right out of the guide’s hand as he was trying to gently tell it to go away by waving a hat.  They work in tandem! It was quite engaging watching them with their dexterous hands, subtle facial expressions, and social dynamics at arm’s length.

Searching for Aquatic Life

This location also afforded us the opportunity to take a boat ride through the mangroves, where we were mesmerized by tree-climbing crabs, amazing waterfowl, and the serenity of the place.  Each little inlet allowed a small boat to proceed into a separate location where one could watch these animals, observe the amazing vegetation, and of course, swat at the rather often mosquitoes. We also had an opportunity to try some cast nets to see what we could catch.

One evening, we geared up for a nighttime hike to the beach in search of nesting sea turtles. Guided by local conservation specialists equipped with special red-light flashlights (so as not to disorient the turtles), we stepped out onto the pitch-black beach under a sky full of stars and a slight moon. The sound of waves crashing on the shore in the dark created an almost meditative atmosphere as we walked softly along the high-tide line. Patience is key during turtle walks, as nature operates on its own schedule. Unfortunately, nature was not operating on this night and we did not see any turtles or nests. The picture is just before we lost all light.

Final Thoughts on This Location

Each time we walked back to our accommodations in this location, our feet were sandy, our skin was sun-kissed and salty, and our group was amazed at what we saw. Cahuita provided an opportunity to show us a different ecosystem and also the interconnectedness of organisms.

• Cahuita Coastal Hike Completed ✓
• Snorkeling the Coral Reef Completed ✓
• Island Monkey Encounter Completed ✓
• Mangrove Swamp Exploration Completed ✓
• Nighttime Sea Turtle Beach Walk Completed ✓