A Relaxing Caribbean Holiday in the Company of Sperm Whales and a Host of Tropical Dolphins
9 Days
Highlights
- Superb tropical whale and dolphin watching.
- Good chance of seeing nursery groups of female sperm whales with their young calves.
- Spinner and Pantropical Spotted dolphins seen on most trips.
- We also hope to see Fraser's, Bottlenose and Risso's dolphins, Short-Finned Pilot Whales and Pygmy Sperm Whales.
- Listen to echolocating sperm whales and chattering dolphins with the help of an onboard hydrophone.
- Full day overland trip to explore the rainforests, beaches and villages of beautiful Dominica.
- All rooms have spectacular ocean views and private facilities.
Description
This is a wonderfully relaxing holiday packed with the best whale watching in the Caribbean. We have chartered an extremely comfortable 60-foot catamaran for our small group. We'll also be in Dominica in the peak whale-watching season.
We hope to have some wonderful encounters with Sperm Whales (the protected lee of the island is an important calving ground so we hope to see females with their calves as well as visiting males) and will use our onboard hydrophone to listen to their echolocation clicks underwater. We rarely have to go far out to sea to find the whales. The area is also wonderful for other cetaceans - see holiday highlights. False Killer Whales, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Melon-Headed Whales, Bryde's Whales, Humpback Whales and Cuvier's Beaked Whales are also sometimes encountered.
Our whale watching will take place against the rugged, rainforest backdrop of Dominica. Dubbed the Nature Island, it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of other Caribbean islands. We'll spend a day exploring its tropical rainforest, looking for endemic parrots, hummingbirds and other wildlife.
Itinerary
- Day 1.
- Fly London to Dominica (normally via Antigua), transfer to the hotel, evening orientation and welcome meal.
- Day 2.
- Morning whale watch, lunch and relaxation on shore, afternoon whale watch.
- Day 3.
- Full-day whale-watch with a packed lunch on board.
- Day 4.
- Free day for relaxation.
- Day 5.
- Full-day overland tour of the island to see the rainforest, beaches, Carib Indian Territory, rivers and much more. We also hope to catch a glimpse of the endangered Dominican Parrot.
- Day 6.
- Morning whale watch, lunch and relaxation on shore, afternoon whale watch.
- Day 7.
- Morning whale watch, lunch and relaxation on shore, afternoon whale watch, farewell meal.
- Day 8.
- Morning free to relax around the hotel or go snorkelling, transfer to the airport in time for return flight home.
- Day 9.
- Early morning arrival in London.
- Tour Code: BDOM
- Cost per person: £1,399 per person
- WDCS Donation Included: £100 per person direct to WDCS
- Single supplement: From £155
- What's included: Seven nights hotel accommodation in Dominica with private facilities. All breakfasts, two packed lunches and two evening meals. Excursions by private mini-bus and chartered boat as described in the itinerary; airport transfers. All hotel taxes and service charges.
- Not included: Meals not included above; travel insurance; crew gratuities (recommended $25 per person); alcoholic and soft drinks; personal items.
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Departure dates:
6 - 13 Nov 2010
16 - 23 Apr 2011
5 - 12 Nov 2011 - Guides: Local guide and naturalist
- Group size: 18 maximum