Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris: Caribbean

Caribbean

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris creates in-depth itineraries to the world's richest ecosystems. For nearly three decades we've designed tours emphasizing wildlife behavior, nature, photography, and birding. Excellent leaders are the key, combining personality, extensive knowledge of each region, and great talent as teachers and naturalists. We select and limit our trips to the best season for each destination. We are dedicated to delivering the best possible wildlife experiences to you, our travelers, and welcome you to join us!

Reserve early! Our trips fill fast. To reserve your space, follow the instructions in each itinerary. Please contact us if you have any questions. If a trip is full, contact us about our wait list and other options.

Snorkel with Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank

Destination (click for itinerary)	Days	Dates	Group Size	Leader
Silver Bank Snorkeling with Humpback Whales	8	March 9, 2013 - March 16, 2013	18	Ted Cheeseman

Humpback Whale calf on Silver Bank
Humpback Whale calf with snorkelers

In the warm waters of the Dominican Republic, the world's largest concentration of Humpback Whales converges to calve and mate on the Silver Bank. We travel at the peak of the December to April breeding season to provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of whale-watching and in-water encounters. Your experienced guides and the crew of the Turks and Caicos Explorer II will provide you with comfort, safety, and service for ideal sunset to sunrise experiences. Quite simply, there is nothing that compares to being in the water with a whale! Witness males vying for envious "escort" role and even hear them as they sing their famous songs. See curious calves as they follow their mothesr and drink her rich milk. By the end of week you will have a comprehensive knowledge of the behaviors, anatomy, and temperaments of the North Atlantic Humpback Whales in their breeding and calving grounds. If the weather cooperates, and it normally does at this time of year, we will get you up-close and personal for surface activity and eye-to-eye "soft in-water" encounters.

View our Humpback Whale photo gallery and video gallery.

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Snorkel with Whale Sharks off Holbox Island

Destination (click for itinerary)	Days	Dates	Group Size	Leader
Holbox Island, Yucatan Peninsula Snorkeling with Whale Sharks	8	July 10, 2012 - July 17, 2012	7	Debbie Thompson plus local guides
Holbox Island, Yucatan Peninsula FULL Snorkeling with Whale Sharks	8	July 17, 2012 - July 24, 2012	7	Debbie Thompson plus local guides

Imagine snorkeling and swimming alongside the largest fish in the sea, the magnificent Whale Shark! We do just that off Holbox Island on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Although massive at 30 to 40 feet and about 9 tons, Whale Sharks are docile and gentle fish that ignore our presence as they continuously filter feed at the surface of these rich waters. We charter our own speedboat and two local guides to offer you maximum time in the water so you have the opportunity to get to know them well. Reminescent of a Caribbean island, Holbox Island is covered with white sand beaches and surrounded by warm waters. We will be based in a quiet beachfront lodge on Holbox, within walking distance of the quaint village with its delicious food and family-oriented culture. Our tour also includes a day-long guided tour of the famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. We will also visit Bird Island (Isla Pajaros), a small island that is refuge to thousands of shorebirds and seabirds such as Frigate Birds, White Ibis, Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Boat-billed Herons, and Flamingos. Come with us to experience the Whale Shark and this charming island.

View our Whale Shark video gallery.

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