Swim with Humpbacks - Humpback whale snorkel
Snorkeling with humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae
On this expedition we spend seven nights on board. Six days are spent following the daily lives of the magnificent Megaptera novaeangliae more commonly known as the humpback whale. These are one of the most beautiful of the baleen whales with their 16ft long pure white pectoral fins beautiful eyes and haunting whale song.
You only need to know how to snorkel to do this...
Encounter humpback whales
We swim with them, float above them, observe, and listen to their song. We watch them dance an underwater ballet, and look into their gentle loving eyes. You will be moved at their beauty and their grace. We float with the sun on our backs, masks and snorkels on our faces, and we relax in this warm water paradise with these gentle giants. When a new born calf turns and looks you in the face, everything else in the world disappears. These encounters are humbling to the point of tears... I have yet to find a more sublime experience.
Where can we snorkel with humpback whales ?
Below the Tropic of Cancer, South of the Bahamas, between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Dominican Republic lies an area surrounded by shallow reef known as the Silver Bank. The Silver Bank was named for the numerous treasure ships that ran aground in these waters. This area is now known by scientists, wildlife filmmakers, photographers and whale enthusiasts for the humpback whales that winter here.
Atlantic Humpback Whales migrate annually from the North Atlantic to the shallow warm waters of the Silver Bank, just eighty miles from the Dominican Republic. Here the mothers give birth to a single calf, and then mate after a courtship of whale song from males. The whales are protected, and are only in this area for 2 months each year. During the short humpback season there are only two or three vessels in operation. Permits are hard to obtain, and are issued each season to allow boats to bring a few lucky people to this unique area. Wild Ocean Adventures have once again been fortunate enough to obtain peak season permits on the fastest crossing, newest and most luxurious of the available vessels.
See the videos below...
Swimming with humpback whales will take your breath away...
This is a once in a lifetime experience. If you want to do something really huge, that will recharge your energy level and connect you to the planet, come and swim with humpback whales.
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
On Sunday afternoon we set out in small groups on the whale encounter vessels, and get our first chance at an in-water encounter. We will experience many different types of encounter throughout this expedition, the ultimate being the in water experience.
For the rest of the week, we go out all day, with a break for lunch. We will swim with the whales whenever we can, by getting close to them in the small boats. The whales are wild and free, they decide how long they will stay with us. Being in the water with a humpback whale is indescribable, we have multiple in water encounters. This is one of the very few wildlife experiences on this planet that will touch you to your very soul. The sheer beauty and magnificence of these beings will leave you in awe.Sometimes the whales give us spectacular displays of tail or pectoral fin slapping, and if we are really lucky breaching. When the whales are active like this we do not enter the water, but stay within a respectable distance and get great photos of this thrilling performance. In a week we see many different types of behavior, and get lots of opportunities for top side photos and in water encounters.
Our final in water encounters are on Thursday. On Friday we cruise back toward Puerto Plata on the mother ship viewing more of the whales topside behaviour. We depart the boat Saturday morning.
Being in the water with these amazing creatures puts life in perspective. I feel if world leaders were to swim with a humpback whale in the open ocean, there could be an end to war on our precious planet... Yes it's that powerful !
See the videos below...
Whale song all around you...
What's Included ?
7 nights luxury accommodation on board. Three full meals a day, all prepared for you, juice, pure water, various teas, coffee and hot chocolate. Full-service galley, all allergies or special diets catered to. Sunset cocktails beer and wine also included.
At the time of deposit I will give you a discount code. This code will get 5% off of flights from anywhere in the world flying to join this expedition at POP Airport if booked at American Airlines website www.AA.com
Every person will receive a whale safety and swim instruction sheet. A whale safety briefing will be given onboard along with many informative evening presentations.
120ft/37m vessel. TV/DVD/Video/Stereo + large selection of movies and books for passenger use. Computer station with two PC's and flat screen monitors. E-mails may be sent via satellite phone (2 pages of text for about US$2.00). Satellite phone calls can be made for about $5 per min.
Upper sundeck with sun loungers for sun by day and stars by night. Partially covered sundeck with wet bar, hot tub, and ice machine. Satellite radio and CD player on top sundeck for your use. Corian table tops, bar-b-que grill and very comfortable padded chaise lounges.
Back deck has easy access to and from the water...and the zodiacs. Fresh hot deck showers for after swimming are situated on the 8’ x 16’ covered swim platform. Warm towels from the dryer are handed to you after showering... a very nice touch.There is good fin storage and (2) water exit ladders. The dive deck has personal gear lockers, rinse tanks, and three-tier camera table. There are also Kayaks for guest use.
K I have included answers to the most common questions Q - Should I buy travel insurance ?
A - Yes it is always advisable to have medical coverage, and cancellation insurance that covers your expedition and flight cost.
Note I do not sell travel insurance: The boat recommends www.TravelGuard.com
I recommend www.DiversAlertNetwork.org medical emergency coverage to all divers.
Q - Are there any special skills necessary?
A - You will need to be able to snorkel. If you have not snorkeled before, practice in your local swimming pool with the mask and snorkel to get yourself comfortable and confident with them.
Q - What type of mask, snorkel and fins should I bring?
A - I recommend a US Divers Impulse(fixed not flexi) snorkel. I use one, it is one of the best types for whale encounters. Also a good comfortable scuba divers type mask, with a nose pocket, that does not leak (test it before you arrive). Plus a comfortable pair of fins that do not rub or chafe your heels. YOU CAN FIND ALL THESE ITEMS AT YOUR LOCAL SCUBA DIVE SHOP.
Q - What should I bring that is not included onboard?
A - Your clothes; sunglasses (polarized are best on the ocean); a hat; 3-4 swimsuits; toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razors; sun screen, (at least spf45 for the first few days, spf60 for fair skin); personal items; any medications you are on; camera, lots of memory/film; snorkel, mask and fins. A 3mm wet suit to protect you from sunburn and keep you warm on long floating encounters with the whales.
Q - What is the water like and what is the temperature of the water?
A - The water is clear and blue, and the water temperature is about 27c(80f).
Q - What type of whales do you swim with?
A - Humpback Whales and sometimes Dusky Dolphin too.
Q - How quickly do the dates fill up?
A - With the new luxury vessel they are filling fast, especially with repeat guests.
Q - I am single and wonder will I get a cabin to myself?
A - If there is space you may get a cabin to yourself, but most times two singles of the same sex would share a twin, you will not be charged any extra for this. If you prefer a private cabin you can pay for two guests and have the cabin for your own exclusive use.
Full itinerary & cabin cost e-mail:
