The warm waters of the Silver Bank, off the Dominican Republic, provide a safe wintering haven for the entire North Atlantic humpback whale population. This sanctuary is also one of only three places in the world where we humans can swim and snorkel right among them! On this extraordinary journey, we have a full week among these magnificent creatures, encountering them at close range both above and below the water. Topside, we witness a variety of spectacular behaviors, including mother and calf interactions, and when we slip into the sea and float among them, we watch them spin and play, hear their haunting songs resonating through the water, and sense the power and grace of some of the most intelligent mammals on earth?it’s a life-changing experience!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Day 1
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic / To the Silver Bank

We gather in Puerto Plata and transfer to a marina where we meet our marine biologist Trip Leader and crew. Boarding our vessel, we then set off for the Silver Bank, a shallow underwater limestone plateau 70 miles north of the coast of the Dominican Republic. Our 124-foot ship features air-conditioned staterooms with ocean views.

Days 2-6
Encountering the Whales of the Silver Bank

Designated as a marine mammal sanctuary, the Silver Bank is a refuge for the North Atlantic humpback whales, who gather here from January through April by the thousands to court, mate, calve, and rear their young. It is one of the few places on earth where entering the water to swim with whales is permitted, and we’ll be here at the prime time to see and interact with them. An old shipwreck in the densest part of the reef provides our anchorage, and from here we set out on twice-daily excursions in search of these 45-foot leviathans. Our spacious 25-foot tenders, built specifically for operating on the Silver Bank, offer a stable ride and quiet motors and are configured so everyone has front-row views of the whales (and great photo opportunities, too). Spectacular surface displays include pectoral fin slaps, huge breaches?humpbacks are among the most dramatic breachers of all the whale species?spyhopping (a kind of peek-a-boo), and peduncle throws, a crack-the-whip motion that throws their huge tails in the air. After observations from our tenders, we slip into the sea with our snorkels to wait for curious whales and calves to approach us. Incredible underwater behaviors we may see include mother and calf nurturing and elaborate courtship dances. We may well hear their evocative songs?and feel them, too, as their vibrations resonate through the water. At the end of each extraordinary day, we return to the comfort of our ship, where we relax with sundowners, dine on a delicious meal, and enjoy fascinating presentations by our Trip Leader on cetacean evolution, biology, ecology, and humpback behavior.

Days 7-8
Silver Bank / Puerto Plata

We leave our anchorage on the Silver Bank and return to the marina. Depart on Day 8.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, easy to moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography and snorkeling encounters with the whales. Because the primary focus of the trip is snorkeling, we require that trip members know how to swim, and we strongly recommend you bring your own good quality, well-fitted equipment with you, including mask, snorkel, and fins. Try out your gear in a swimming pool before you go to make sure that it works for you and is comfortable. We will have a “refresher” snorkel in calm waters at the beginning of the trip. We usually have twice-daily snorkeling adventures with the whales, along with plenty of time aboard the tenders to enjoy watching their behavior. A journey to the Silver Bank is filled with opportunity, but as with any other wildlife activity, there may be times of greater or lesser activity, and not every excursion in the tenders will result in an in-water encounter. Our 124-foot ship is a comfortable home away from home, featuring staterooms with en suite facilities, individual climate controls, and ocean views.

Explanation of Trip Levels