Swim with Humpbacks - Humpback whale snorkel
7 night humpback expedition to the Silver Bank 20-27 February 2010
Snorkeling with humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae
On this adventure we spend 7 nights on board, and 5 of those days are spent following the daily lives and entering the water with 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.
We swim with them, float above them and 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.
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 and 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.
For 2010 Wild Ocean Adventures has once again been fortunate enough to obtain one of the peak season weeks on the fastest crossing, newest and most luxurious of the available vessels.
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 
...
Itinerary
On Sunday we set out in small groups on the whale encounter vessels, and get our first chance at an in-water encounter. 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. On most days we have multiple in water encounters. Being in the water with a humpback whale is indescribable. 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. Encountering a humpback whale is sublime. Being in the water with these amazing creatures puts real life in perspective. If all world leaders were to swim with a humpback whale in the open ocean, maybe there would be no more war on our precious planet.
Sometimes the whales give us spectacular displays of tail or pectoral fin slapping, and if we are really lucky maybe a breach. 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 afternoon. 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.
Whale song all around you...
What's Included ?
7 nights luxury 5 star 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 (bring your favorite liquor too if you like).
Scenic cruising on 120ft/37m vessel. TV/DVD/Video/Stereo + large selection of movies and books for passenger use onboard. Computer station with (2) Dell computers 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 $5.00 per min.
Upper sun deck with sun loungers for sun by day and stars by night. Partially covered sun deck 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 very easy access to and from the water... and to and from the zodiacs. Fresh hot deck showers for after swimming are situated on the dive platform, with warm towels from the dryer handed to you after showering... a very nice touch. The 8’ x 16’ covered swim platform has (2) hot freshwater showers, 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.
All staterooms have a/c, private connecting bathrooms, small window, hairdryer, and dvd player. Quality ben linens, fresh towels, shampoos and soaps are provided.
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
Airport transfers from POP Airport to our ship on 20th February are included. The return transfers back to the airport on 27th February are also included in this Expedition.
Every person will receive a whale safety and swim instruction sheet. A whale safety brifing will be given onboard along with many informative evening presentations.
Swimming with humpback whales will take your breath away...
Questions & Answers
L
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 and cancellation insurance that covers your live-aboard adventure cost, and your flight cost. Note I do not sell travel insurance...the boat recomends www.TravelGuard.com and www.DiversAlertNetwork.org
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 recomend 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 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 prefur a private cabin you can pay for two guests and have the cabin for your own exclusive use.
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, razors; sun screen, (at least spf30 for the first few days, spf45 for fair skin); personal items; any medications you are on; camera, lots of 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.
Please feel free to contact me at WildOceanAdventures@hotmail.com
and ask me any other questions you may have about the whale trips...
Enjoy the videos taken on the trips...
