“For many years my friend, wildlife researcher Benjamin Kahn has studied cetacean (whales, dolphins, porpoises) migration patters through the straights separating Indonesia and Timor Leste. They make their way through these narrow stretches of water as they make their way south to Antarctica. Ben has always raved about his animal encounters he has here, and has suggested Big Animals arrange an expedition to see the migration first hand. Our first expedition was set for 2020, but the trip was postponed, until now, in 2022 — the first year we’ll have the privileged of visiting. What do we expect?
Very simply, we expect an amazing experience. With the help of a reliable and experienced local operator, we will be out in the straits at peak season for blue whale and sperm whale migrations – crystal-clear blue waters, 86 degrees f with 100 feet visibility is where we’ll be swimming with blue whales, sperm whales and many other marine mammals.“ – Amos
Swim with blue whales, sperm whales, dolphins and many other types of marine mammals
One of youngest nations in the world, became independent from Indonesia with the support of the United Nations in 2002. Besides being part of the Ring of Fire – the most seismically active region on earth, Timor Leste is also part of the Coral Triangle ; the epicenter for biodiversity.
Our expedition adventure to Timor Leste will take place in the Strait of Ombai, which is located in East Timor between Dili (the capital) and the island of Atauro. The strait is some 17mi (30km) wide and right in the path of the famous Indonesian current as it streams between the main islands of Alor and Wetar, carrying a rich cargo of nutrients from the deep basins of the Banda Sea to the north.
This is an ocean superhighway were 170 million cubic feet (5 million cubic meters ) of sea water per second pass between the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. With so much water, current and nutrients moving through this area, it is a magnet to many pelagic and cetacean animal species.
Timor Leste probably has one of the best shore diving in the world, entries are so easy and within 10 meters from shore and there’s a 20 meters drop-off. Timor is still such a new nation that tourism infrastructure is still at its infancy. Consequently, there are no crowds at the dive sites so imagine having the whole dive site to yourself.
Dili and Atauro are blessed with clear waters year round due to the absence of large rivers on the island — which means no sediment runoff into the ocean — only the fast-flowing ocean waters between the mainland and Atauro, which have formed a deep channel that serves as a conduit for one of the largest seasonal migrations of whales anywhere on Earth.
Whales diversity is similar to what you might find in the reefs, with large populations of blue whales, beaked whales, melon headed whales, short finned pilot whales, and multiple dolphin species migrating between the Indian and Pacific Oceans each year between October and December.
Day 1
Assemble in Bali
Day 2 Fly to Dili
Day 3 — 8
6 days searching for blue and sperm whales and swimming with many other types of whales, dolphins and porpoises
Day 9
Depart from Dili
Temperature
Water 86°F (30°C)
Visibility
100 ft (33m)
Suggested accommodation at the Timor hotel – book directly at – https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Timor-Leste
Book flights to and from Bali, Indonesia
You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by by mailing a check (Please see Payment Policy, Deposit, and Cancellation Information below — a 3.5% processing fee is applied to all online transactions)
If you’d prefer to mail a check to our office or arrange for a wire transfer, please get in touch with us via the Contact BigAnimals form below
Please mail deposit check to:
Big Animals LLC
189 Evans Avenue, Suite A
Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
When we receive your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and detailed trip preparation document about the experience and the destination. All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. All trips require you carry trip, health, and dive (if applicable) insurance. This information as well as your passport photo will be requested after you place your deposit.
Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
Your deposit reserves your place on the trip. However, the full amount is due 90 days or more before the expedition date begins.
You will receive a confirmation email when your application is received. When your deposit is complete, you will receive trip confirmation. Complete trip details will be sent upon final payment.
View the Expedition Page for Total Trip Price and Cancellation Policies
| Dates (Timor Leste) | November 11 – 19, 2023, November 5 – 13, 2023, October 24 – 31, 2022, October 31 – November 7, 2022, November 7 – 14, 2022 |
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