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Nature’s Surprise: The Golden-Orange Nurse Shark of Costa Rica’s Caribbean

By the Crocodile Bay Ecotourism Team

What if we told you that even familiar waters off Costa Rica can still surprise us — that just when you think you’ve seen everything, something extraordinary appears? That’s exactly what happened just a few weeks ago off the Caribbean coast, near Tortuguero National Park. An unusual shark was caught (and released), and it’s got scientists buzzing.

The Discovery

In early September, during a sport fishing venture near Tortuguero, fishers reeled in a nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) that at first looked like something out of a fantasy movie like Avatar. The shark was approximately six feet long, had fiery golden-orange skin, and solid white eyes — no visible irises.

After photos circulated and the siting went viral online, local marine scientists investigated and confirmed that this was not merely an odd photo trick: the shark’s coloration comes from a rare combination of two skin conditions known as albino-xanthochromism. Albino reduces melanin, making skin pale, while xanthochromism causes unusually strong yellow/orange pigmentation. To find both conditions together in a nurse shark is something previously undocumented.

Survival Despite the Odds

Typically, nurse sharks rely on camouflage: browns or sandy tones help them blend in with the ocean floor to avoid predators and to sneak up on prey. With skin this bright and eyes this pale, you’d expect survival to be much harder. Yet, this shark was full-grown and in apparently good health at the time it was caught.

One theory? It was living in murky water near river mouths, where visibility is limited. That might reduce the disadvantage of being conspicuous. Another possibility: a lack of predators in the specific habitat, or special behavior by the shark itself.

Why It Matters for You — On Your Next Adventure

If you’re planning a Costa Rica fishing, snorkeling, or marine wildlife-watching trip, here are several reasons this discovery is exciting — and tips for what to watch for:

Expect the unexpected. Even in places like Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce where well-traveled by tourists and fishers, rare wildlife and unusual genetic variations can pop up.
Choose ethical, conservation-mindful guides like Crocodile Bay Naturalists- When animals are treated with respect (catch-and-release, minimal stress), discoveries like this are more likely, and wildlife habitats remain healthier.
Use the best gear—but also patience and attention. A camera, binoculars, and simply keeping your eyes open in less-than-clear water could lead to seeing something unique.
Focus on habitat diversity. Estuaries, river mouths, mangroves, reefs — places where environments shift tend to produce organisms adapting in interesting ways. Murky water or mixed salinity zones may harbor more surprises.

What This Means for Costa Rica & Ecotourism

This golden nurse shark is more than just a creature with odd coloring — it’s a living sign that Costa Rica’s marine ecosystems still hold mysteries. For ecotourism, this kind of discovery helps:

Raise awareness and appreciation for marine biodiversity.
Encourage support for conservation initiatives (marine protected areas, clean waterways, habitat protection).
Inspire visitors — adventure travelers, anglers, snorkelers — to respect wildlife and to be part of the story.

Final Thoughts

At Crocodile Bay Sport Fishing and Expeditions, we believe every trip is more than a vacation — it’s part of a larger ecological narrative. Wilderness, oceans, rainforests, and coastlines are alive not just with what we expect to see, but with what we don’t yet fully understand.

So next time you’re out on the water, casting a line or diving beneath the waves: watch for the unusual. Respect the life around you. And maybe, just maybe, the next golden-orange shark will be the one you spot.