Description
Swimming with Whales in Dominica
Sperm Whales — Dominica
Dominica has the prestigious distinction of becoming the first and only Sperm Whale Sanctuary in the World
Dominica’s west coast hosts approximately five sperm whale families, each with five to nine cetaceans. Females and their calves comprise the majority of these groups. Occasionally you will encounter a male, 45 to 55 feet long, easily recognizable being thirty percent larger than the females. Frequently a family will socialize playing in the water, while other times they may remain stationary, totally vertical in the water. Sometimes the pod will swim slowly, allowing you to fin alongside with them, while other times their speed picks up as we follow them until they suddenly stop, apparently waiting for us. Each encounter offers a different opportunity, one more exhilarating and awe-inspiring than the next.
5 — 10 Full Days Out on the Water Snorkeling and Photographing Sperm Whales
$1,250/Day per person
SUMMARY
Dominica, Lesser Antilles
Semi-Private: 4 Guests
Flexible: Join for 5 to 10 Days
February 8 – 19, 2025
BASE PRICE
$6,250
(Price for Double Occupancy)
GET MORE INFORMATION
SCHEDULE
First Day: Arrival
Your adventure begins when you land at Melville Hall Airport, Dominica, where a taxi will be waiting for you.
10 Days of Sperm Whale Searching and Encounters
Get ready for five fulfilling days of exploring Dominica’s waters, searching to swim with sperm whales in Dominica . You may also encounter other cetacean species native to these azure waters. Throughout the journey, we’ll ensure you’re well-provisioned with plenty of tropical fruit, beverages, and a satisfying lunch on board. The sea conditions typically range from calm to moderate, with winds picking up in the afternoon.
Last Day: Departure
The time comes to bid farewell to Dominica. We’ll arrange for your return transfer to the airport, ensuring a smooth end to your memorable journey with these magnificent creatures.
CONDITIONS
Temperature
Water 80 – 82°F (26 – 28°C)
Land 76 – 84°F (24 – 29°C)
Visibility
80 – 100 feet (25 – 30 meters)
INCLUDED
- 10 days of searching and swimming with sperm whales in Dominica
- Whale swimming permit
- Extensive photo coaching and expedition leadership from Amos Nachoum
- All taxes
EXCLUDED
- Accommodations Not Included.
- Guests have freedom to choose staying at either:
- Coulibri Ridge: https://www.coulibriridge.com/
- Jungle Bay: https://www.junglebaydominica.com/
- All flights — International and domestic
- Rental gear
- Unused part of the itinerary
- Personal charges such as laundry, fishing, or telecommunication charges
- Gratuities
EXPEDITION LEADER
Amos Nachoum is a distinguished figure in wildlife and underwater photography, seamlessly combining exploration and artistry for over 45 years. His dedication to capturing the essence of marine life has garnered him prestigious accolades, including twice winning the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in animal behavior and the Siena Photo Competition in ‘Animals in Their Environment’ category.
Amos’s photographic excellence has earned him the title of Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 by Wilderness Photography. His impact on the artistic and conservation communities has been recognized with the NOGI Award in Art, solidifying his status as a leader in his field. His works have graced prominent publications like National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times, showcasing his ability to tell compelling visual stories.
In 2019, his documentary “Picture of His Life” unveiled his relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to marine conservation. As the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, he leads private expeditions, ensuring safe and intimate wildlife encounters during peak seasons. These expeditions, whether on land or in the ocean, reflect his immaculate safety record and deep respect for the natural world.
By choosing to embark on an expedition with Amos, adventurers open themselves up to a transformative experience. They learn from a maestro whose life’s work resonates with the pulse of the oceans and the dance of wildlife across diverse habitats. Whether a seasoned photographer or a nature enthusiast, participants in Amos’s expeditions gain unparalleled insight and a unique opportunity to connect with the wild.
Additionally, his work in marine conservation and education has not gone unnoticed. Amos has been named Seakeepers’ Man of the Year, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants. Through his expeditions, workshops, and storytelling, he continues to inspire, educate, and ignite a passion for conservation in hearts worldwide.
LODGING
Accommodations not Included — Stay at Either
Coulibri Ridge Eco Lodge (Pictured)
“This sleek eco-resort is proof positive that a sustainable stay doesn’t have to be a bare-bones experience; it can be luxurious and pampering, too.” – Condé Nast (Read Full Review Here)
Breathe deeply and leave your worries behind in the barefoot luxury of our Dominica villas—your private hideaway set in a tropical forest overlooking the marine sanctuary of Scotts Head and Soufriere. It’s the perfect spot to unplug from everything, as you reconnect to yourself, one another, and nature.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Whale Safety Policy
Our dedication to the conservation of these incredible marine creatures is uncompromising. We adhere stringently to the guidelines set by international law which dictate respectful interaction with marine wildlife. Key regulations include
- Adherence to Distance Guidelines: strictly adhere to the internationally recognized 100-yard rule, which means we maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from the whales at all times, ensuring their personal space is respected and they are not startled or disturbed. When you see us near the whales, they’ve come to us first!
- Avoiding Obstruction: We never position ourselves in the path of a whale, or attempt to redirect their course. This allows the whales to navigate freely and prevents potential stress or confusion.
- No Sudden Movements: When in the water, our actions are calculated and gentle. Sudden, frantic movements can alarm whales, causing unnecessary distress. We’re there to observe and appreciate, not to interfere.
- Absolutely No Touching or Feeding: Physical contact with the whales is strictly forbidden, as is feeding them. Both these actions disrupt natural behaviors and can be harmful to the whales. We’re visitors in their world, and we respect their natural ways of life.
- Limited Interaction Time: Our time spent with each individual or group of whales is limited. We monitor our interactions closely, ensuring we don’t overstay our welcome and potentially cause disturbance.
- Rotating Swim Groups: Rotating Swim Groups: To minimize our impact, we rotate our swim groups. Our group in water is primarily only two, when cetacean are calm we send only two more swimmer. Sometime only one. This approach limits the number of people in the water at any given time, reducing potential stress for the whales.
- Conduct Briefings: Prior to each interaction, we conduct briefings for all participants. This includes information on whale behavior, our interaction guidelines, and what to do in various situations. This ensures everyone is well-informed and prepared.
- Active Monitoring: We continually assess the whales’ behavior during our interactions. If we see signs of distress , avoidance, or frequent change of course, we immediately cease the interaction and retreat.
- Advocacy and Education: Part of our mission is to educate our participants about the importance of whale conservation. We promote respectful wildlife interactions, and we hope our participants will carry these lessons with them, spreading the message of conservation even further.
By maintaining these practices, we can enjoy this amazing experience while ensuring the well-being of these magnificent marine creatures, whose comfort and safety is are our top priority.
Send Me More Information
Reserve Now*
You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by mailing a check.
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.
Payment Policy and Deposit*
All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. In order to join an expedition, you are required to 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.
All prices $USD
Dates and pricing are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, animal behavior, and currency fluctuation.
Please carefully review Big Animals’ cancellation policy below or on the Cart page before checkout.
*FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY
We at Big Animals LLC know how upsetting it might be for our valued clients to have to postpone or cancel a trip they have been looking forward to for months. We, too, are disappointed when plans must be changed. However, we make extensive preparations in advance of each trip and we are required to make nonrefundable payments to hotels and other vendors on a regular basis. Consequently, we must rigorously enforce our cancellation and trip change policy for all guests without exception.
Purchasing travel insurance is vital and may be obtained through a variety of insurance providers. Life in the modern world has taught us that trip cancellations and interruptions happen, luggage gets lost, and people have accidents prior to trips, and people get sick, and are unable to commence or complete anticipated journeys. Insurance is expected to provide you, as our valued client, with the protection and peace of mind in the event that all things do not go according to your intended plan. As a traveler, please be aware you are personally responsible for any expenses incurred due to illness or injury that may arise before departure or while you are on expedition — and as per the details below — cancelling or altering a trip without insurance becomes very expensive for all parties involved, including for Big Animals LLC.
We encourage you to make the responsible choice — protect your investment with a reasonably-priced, comprehensive insurance policy.
Big Animals LLC requires a deposit equal to 33% of the total trip price at the time of booking, including all applicable taxes, in order to secure space.
Once we have accepted your deposit and application, we will make non-refundable payments to secure your space with overseas vendors; consequently, all deposits on expeditions are also non-refundable, without exception.
- Full payment is due 90 days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ departure date.
- In the event of cancellations made by customers fewer than 120 calendar days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ start date, then Big Animals LLC shall charge a fee equal to 50% of the expedition’s full price, plus a $500 administration fee, and will offer the discounted trip to another traveler at a discounted rate. If no replacement traveler can be located then the full amount previously paid by the original trip purchaser to Big Animals LLC shall be non-refundable. Please purchase travel insurance and plan accordingly.
Discover Private Expeditions
-
- Add to Cart This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
- Add to Cart This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
- Add to Cart This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
- Add to Cart This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
