julie5220
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I didn't find a lot of info about swimming with the humpbacks while I was researching last month, so I figured I'd come back to post after our AMAZING trip. I can't barely even describe how incredible the experience is. I will try, though, for others who may be interested in going.
We went with the Turks & Caicos Aggressor, which I highly recommend. I wont go into detail on the arduous journey to the Silverbank, as it was light on joy, heavy on, well, lets just say I spent some time hanging over the side railing in the middle of the night. We traveled out to a sea mount way off the coast of the Dominican Republic. We crossed a 10,000 foot channel, passed through a nasty cold front, and eventually anchored in a wide area no deeper than 80′.
Each morning and afternoon, we boarded an inflatable boat for a 2-4 hour adventure. There are normally 9 people on each boat, but we had a small group onboard so there was just 5 of us, the captain, and a guide. The guides get in the water first, and either have a still camera or video camera. They get great pics, so it was nice to not worry about getting our own shots. (Though I'm glad I took my own since they aren't quite as good so they feel more real. The guide's pics look so professional, and my brain just doesn't register that I was there... if that makes any sense! Also, if you want snippets of surface action in addition to one long DVD, it's good to take your own video.)
We alternated which boat we were on each day, which meant we alternated captains and guides. This was a great idea since one of the captains is Mr. Humpback... Piers is a wealth of info and is so passionate about the whales. (He could also lift us out of the water with one arm, making boarding so much easier.) It was also good because we would alternate whether the still or video camera was with us.
The whales travel back and forth among 3-4 areas, depending on what is the hot spot of the day, so we spent a lot of time cruising around looking for action. Some times it was surface action, some times it's in-water experiences. There are rowdy males trying to woo the ladies and females giving birth to and teaching their calves. The males put on amazing surface displays by breaching and fin/tail slapping. This is done either to wake up or signal to the females they are ready for action. There are also couples that swim and sleep, and swim and sleep. We spent some time under water with some sleepy couples. Truly amazing! We spent a little time with a mom and her calf. That was indescribable. The mom was a bit anxious because there were so many rowdy males in the area, so she didnt totally calm down for a perfect encounter. They say that when the momma calms down, and lets her baby play and explore with the snorkelers, it is magic. It is enough reason for me to go back.
I would heartily recommend this trip. It will range anywhere from amazing to life changing. Swimming with whales is a rare and incredible opportunity.
As a note, it's a good trip for single travelers as well since no dive buddies are needed.
We went with the Turks & Caicos Aggressor, which I highly recommend. I wont go into detail on the arduous journey to the Silverbank, as it was light on joy, heavy on, well, lets just say I spent some time hanging over the side railing in the middle of the night. We traveled out to a sea mount way off the coast of the Dominican Republic. We crossed a 10,000 foot channel, passed through a nasty cold front, and eventually anchored in a wide area no deeper than 80′.
Each morning and afternoon, we boarded an inflatable boat for a 2-4 hour adventure. There are normally 9 people on each boat, but we had a small group onboard so there was just 5 of us, the captain, and a guide. The guides get in the water first, and either have a still camera or video camera. They get great pics, so it was nice to not worry about getting our own shots. (Though I'm glad I took my own since they aren't quite as good so they feel more real. The guide's pics look so professional, and my brain just doesn't register that I was there... if that makes any sense! Also, if you want snippets of surface action in addition to one long DVD, it's good to take your own video.)
We alternated which boat we were on each day, which meant we alternated captains and guides. This was a great idea since one of the captains is Mr. Humpback... Piers is a wealth of info and is so passionate about the whales. (He could also lift us out of the water with one arm, making boarding so much easier.) It was also good because we would alternate whether the still or video camera was with us.
The whales travel back and forth among 3-4 areas, depending on what is the hot spot of the day, so we spent a lot of time cruising around looking for action. Some times it was surface action, some times it's in-water experiences. There are rowdy males trying to woo the ladies and females giving birth to and teaching their calves. The males put on amazing surface displays by breaching and fin/tail slapping. This is done either to wake up or signal to the females they are ready for action. There are also couples that swim and sleep, and swim and sleep. We spent some time under water with some sleepy couples. Truly amazing! We spent a little time with a mom and her calf. That was indescribable. The mom was a bit anxious because there were so many rowdy males in the area, so she didnt totally calm down for a perfect encounter. They say that when the momma calms down, and lets her baby play and explore with the snorkelers, it is magic. It is enough reason for me to go back.
I would heartily recommend this trip. It will range anywhere from amazing to life changing. Swimming with whales is a rare and incredible opportunity.
As a note, it's a good trip for single travelers as well since no dive buddies are needed.
