March 22 – 29, 2025
Close Encounters of the Gray Whale Kind!
Join Susan Duval for a Marine Life encounter that only a select few people in the world will ever have! In a remote area of the Caribbean, off the coast of the Dominican Republic, there is a mystical place where Gentle Giants come to spend the winter months. About 80 miles north of the Dominican Republic lie the shoals of the Silver Bank, the worlds largest mating & calving grounds where 5000 – 7000 North Atlantic Humpback Whales gather each year. These waters are protected as the “Sanctuary for Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic”.
By special permit from the Dominican Republic Government, your liveaboard vessel is allowed to anchor in these waters. Your Captain and crew have over 30 seasons on the Silver Bank. Their experience is unparalleled, and they are exceptional at helping you with prolonged, intimate in-water encounters with humpback whales. The above water action is spectacular as rowdy males competing for females result in almost constant activity that provides one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.
Particularly captivating are the famed Humpbacks songs that reverberate like loud music through your body. This trip is geared toward snorkeling and you might also encounter tropical fish, seabirds, corals and sometimes even tropical spotted dolphins show up to say hello!
Live among the whales onboard a chartered vessel for 8 days – 7 nights and be blissfully immersed in the world of the humpbacks on a most meaningful personal level. Simply being in their presence is humbling. Their energy is powerful and will have you laughing, sometimes crying but always in awe of these Ancient Ones of the Sea.
For an experience with humpback whales that will Change Your Life? This trip is it!
Itinerary
Thursday, March 20
We suggest arriving 2 days early in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. You must be on board the ship before it leaves the marina on March 22. Otherwise, if there are flight delays due to weather conditions, you could miss the whole trip. There are many wonderful resorts to choose from. We will send recommendations.
Day 1, Saturday March 22
Take a taxi or shuttle to the marina where you will board the vessel in the late afternoon and meet the crew. Dinner onboard.
Get ready to watch out for spouts! Following your first whale encounters, you will return to camp for fully catered meals and to enjoy all our camp has on offer. Take out a kayak or paddleboard or grab an ice cream or cold drink from the bar to enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the lagoon from our prime beachfront location.
Days 2-6, Sunday – Friday, March 23-28
Among the whales! Your live-aboard will leave port in the wee hours and arrive in the Silver Bank mid Sunday morning. Have an orientation by our naturalist captain about the whales and their habitat. Our captain will outline a very specific protocol that we must follow during our whale encounters. Our ship is anchored in an area where many humpbacks tend to congregate
After lunch, board tenders (smaller boats) and venture out among the whales. They are extremely active at this time of year as groups of rowdy males aggressively compete for receptive females. This lends itself to fabulous sightings with a great deal of action including constant breaching, ramming, slamming, lob-tailing and fin slapping. Our small boats allow us to get extremely close to the whales so the photographic opportunities are incredible and this amazing spectacle will leave you breathless.
The true highlight of this trip is the incredible opportunity for multiple soft-in-water encounters with the whales. This happens when the whales are more sedate, and most often occurs when a mother and calf approach us and indicate their interest in having us join them in the water. A male escort usually accompanies them. When we join them in the water, they often are very inquisitive and will swim around us, under us, roll over to get a better look at us funny humans or hang motionless in the water so we can get a better look at them. This will give you the extremely rare opportunity for underwater photographs of humpback whales that you will treasure for a lifetime.
This once in a lifetime opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants in their own environment will be one of the most moving and transformational experiences you might ever have. Special permit from the Dominican Republic government allows us the privilege of being in the whale sanctuary waters. We are extremely sensitive to the whales and make sure we do nothing to upset or affect their normal behavior.
When not engaged in whale activities you may want to snorkel and explore the surrounding spotty reefs or enjoy marine and wildlife videos and a wide selection of books available on board. Our captain is always eager to share his knowledge and educate us regarding whale behavior. Scuba diving is strictly prohibited with the whales. Relaxing on deck and night time star gazing makes for a relaxing end to an amazing day.
Day 7, Friday, March 28 morning
This morning you head back to Puerto Plata and should have some afternoon time to shop and enjoy dinner in town at a local restaurant. Overnight onboard the ship.
Day 8, Saturday, March 29
After breakfast gather your luggage and transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you close connections with new friends, human and whale that you will cherish for a lifetime.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The MV Turks & Caicos Explorer II – this superior liveaboard vessel carries up to 20 guests and 8 crew. All staterooms have port lights or windows, individually controlled AC and private ensuite bathrooms.
COSTS
Based on cabin types, PER PERSON, double occupancy.
Lower Deck: twin-size bunk beds, porthole. Cabins 8, 9,10 – $4,845
Main Deck: 2 twins cannot be moved together, windows. Cabins 3, 4 – $5,045
Main Deck: 1 queen or 2 twins can be moved together, window. Cabins 5, 6, 7 – $5,045
Upper Deck 1 queen, TV, window. Master Staterooms 1 and 2 – $5,245
DEPOSIT
$1,000 non-refundable deposit to reserve your space. Cabins booked on a first come – first serve basis. Book early to get your choice.
Included:
- All meals, beer, wine, alcohol, soda, coffee/tea, snacks, excursions onboard.
- The Permit fee of $450 for Silver Bank Sanctuary.
- Linens, towels, shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap.
- 8 days + 7 nights aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II.
- In-water and surface whale viewing opportunities.
- Expert naturalist guides with evening educational whale presentations.
- Deck service from a friendly and experienced crew.
- Excellent for all skill levels –swim and snorkeling only—no scuba diving.
Not Included:
- Flights to Puerto Plata International Airport (POP), the Dominican Republic.
- Airport transfers.
- Extra days in Puerto Plata at a hotel or all-inclusive resort before our ship leaves.
- Tips to the ship crew ($650 per person recommended)
- Fuel surcharge of $450 to be paid in cash on the ship.
- Travel insurance- highly recommended. Ask Susan for referral if you don’t have a company you use.
- Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins for OCEAN snorkeling). Get these at a dive shop. Do not get a combo mask + snorkel—they are not allowed. You want a separate mask with a snorkel that attaches to it.
- You may also want to consider a lightweight 2-3mm wetsuit (full length or shortie) for warmth and sun protection. Water temperature is 78 degrees, so a wetsuit is NOT necessary, unless you chill easily.