The ultimate whale encounter – swim with humpback whales on the Silver Bank, in the Dominican Republic’s Sanctuary for Marine Mammals.
Each year between January and April, the largest gathering of North Atlantic humpback whales on the planet occurs at the Silver Bank, in the Caribbean Sea north of the Dominican Republic. Over this period as many as 3,000 whales gather to court, mate and give birth. Live your dream by spending a week on a comfortable 45-metre liveaboard vessel in the company of these amazing creatures, and be thrilled by spectacular displays of breaching, pectoral fin slapping, lobtailing and spyhopping.
The highlight of this unforgettable trip is swimming in warm tropical waters to encounter humpbacks eye-to-eye in their natural environment, on their terms. Accompanied by experienced personnel you’ll see mothers and playful calves, swim in bone-rattling whale song, witness courtship dances and more. And through this utterly remarkable experience, you’ll develop a profound understanding of humpback whales and the threats they face.
On arrival at Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón International Airport you will be met and transferred to your the Lifestyle Holiday Vacation Resorts in Cofresi for an overnight stay. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes, and the rest of the day is free to relax.
The day is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the hotel before transferring to the Ocean World Marina to board your vessel. Once aboard, you will be allocated a cabin and have time to settle in and meet your fellow-travellers before an introductory safety briefing. Dinner will be served, then at around midnight you will set sail, bound for the Silver Bank.
You spend the next seven nights aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II in a twin or double cabin. All meals are included while on board, with the exception of the final dinner (on Friday evening), when you are back in harbour and can eat at the restaurant of your choice.
Early morning you will arrive at the Silver Bank, where the vessel will anchor at a designated site. The rest of the morning is dedicated to detailed briefings on snorkelling in general, and humpback whales, while the crew prepare the tenders for whale watching. After a midday lunch, you set off in the two 7.5 metre tenders – for an afternoon of whale watching.
A typical day on the Silver Bank is as follows: after breakfast you get your gear ready and board the tenders for the morning excursion, ready to see and swim with humpback whales. The objective is to spend as much time in the water with the whales as they are comfortable with. Depending on what happens in the water, you return to the mother ship at around midday. After lunch and a short break, you head back out onto the water for the afternoon.
Back aboard, the late afternoon cocktail hour is a time-honoured tradition, when over drinks and canapés you can exchange tales of the day’s sightings as the sun goes down. Dinner is served in the main salon at a fixed time – you dine as a group, served by the attentive crew. On most evenings after dinner there is an informative short presentation relating to whales, and/or a discussion. You can then enjoy star-gazing from the top deck or retire to the comfort of your cabin to relax before more whale adventures next day.
Please note: Prices shown are for Standard Twin cabin (two cabins sharing a bathroom). Deluxe cabins (twin or double beds) and Master cabin (queen bed) are available at a small supplement. This tour is extremely popular and can get booked up years in advance - we urge you to book early!
Lying north of the Dominican coast, the Silver Bank Sanctuary was recognized in 1986 as an area of vital importance. Between January and April it hosts the largest gathering of North Atlantic humpback whales, where as many as 3,000 gather to court, mate and give birth. Find Out More about {acc:title}
This luxurious liveaboard departs weekly on a thrilling seven night adventure along the coast of Providenciales, West Caicos and French Cay. It moves to the Dominican Republic between Jan-Mar for humpback whale encounters. Find Out More about Turks & Caicos Aggressor II
