The Heart of Humpback Waters
Snorkel with Humpback Whales
March 12 to 20, 2027
Safari Overview
Dive into one of the most extraordinary marine wildlife experiences — snorkeling with North Atlantic humpback whales on the Silver Bank, off the coast of the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean’s most important breeding and calving grounds for these magnificent animals. This exclusive liveaboard voyage takes you into their world, with the chance to observe and snorkel alongside nurturing mothers and their curious calves, and resting males in the calm, protected waters of this remarkable sanctuary. Over five unforgettable days, you will spend time on the water alongside experienced marine naturalists, maximizing opportunities for meaningful humpback whale encounters both above and below the surface. Every outing offers something different — from peaceful in-water encounters to boat views of dramatic displays of breaching, tail slapping, and competitive heat runs unfolding nearby. Between excursions, unwind aboard a premium liveaboard vessel, which provides a comfortable base from which to take it all in. With exceptional wildlife access, expert guidance, and countless photographic opportunities, this journey delivers an extraordinary experience for anyone drawn to marine life and wild ocean encounters.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Extended Whale Encounters: Spend five full days dedicated to whale interactions, longer than most tours.
- Exceptional Wildlife Access: Observe a wide range of natural behaviors, from calm social interactions to energetic surface activity.
- Led by Specialists: Travel with an experienced team offering insight into whale behavior, ecology, and responsible encounter practices.
- Photography Guidance: Capture unforgettable moments with support and tips tailored for wildlife photography in dynamic conditions.
- Comfortable Liveaboard Cruising: Relax aboard a spacious, well-equipped liveaboard with top amenities.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I have already recommended Cheesemans’! I loved how you care for the environment, for the animals and people you take us to visit with and for me and my fellow travelers. That caring shows up in all ways from the tiniest details in the preparation packs to the broadest decisions about the trips you offer. And most of all, it shows up in the caring, curiosity and humor of our guide, Scott.” – Elspeth Chasser |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: June 2026
Ship Info FAQ
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10 | Arrive in Puerto Plata. Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, rest up for your adventure. | ofresi Hills Residence, Cofresi | |
| Mar 11 | Embarkation Day. Board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II and settle in. Weather permitting, depart overnight to the Silver Bank. | On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, D |
| Mar 12 | Begin Whale Encounters. Begin soft in-water interactions with humpback whales. | On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 13-16 | Four Full Days of Whale Experiences. Witness playful calves, escort battles, and heat runs while exploring whale behavior, anatomy, conservation, and individual personalities. | On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 17 | Final Whale Interactions & Voyage Back. Enjoy a final morning with the whales then navigate back to the marina. | On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 18 | Disembark & Fly Home. After breakfast, deboard and transfer to the airport. | B |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Scott Davis
Scott DavisScott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
Ship Information
Turks & Caicos Explorer II
The Turks and Caicos Explorer II is the top platform for whale watching adventures on the Silver Bank. At 124 feet long, this stable, ocean-ready ship provides both comfort and access for unforgettable wildlife encounters.
This vessel serves as your floating home during the trip, offering a relaxed and supportive environment for nature lovers. With two fast, maneuverable tenders on board, you can quickly reach areas where humpback whales gather and play. These tenders bring you eye-level with whales in calm, shallow waters.
Each day, the ship anchors on the reef near the Silver Bank, a sanctuary for North Atlantic humpback whales. From here, you’ll travel by tender to explore, observe, and sometimes even snorkel with these gentle giants.
The ship’s size allows for smooth sailing and ample space while keeping group sizes small and personal. This setup helps minimize waiting time and maximizes your hours in the water. Whale encounters often happen just a short ride from the anchored ship.
Back on board, you’ll enjoy comfortable cabins, warm meals, and daily briefings from experienced guides and crew. You’ll have time to relax, share stories, and review photos from the day’s close-up encounters.
The Turks and Caicos Explorer II is more than a vessel—it’s your basecamp for meaningful interaction with humpbacks in the wild. With the right combination of location, crew, and small-group access, this expedition delivers unmatched whale watching in the Caribbean.
If you dream of floating near breaching whales or hearing their haunting underwater songs, this ship brings that dream to life. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, made possible by the design and purpose of the Explorer II.
More Information
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- FAQ
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Motion Sickness
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Description | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Deck | Double occupancy, twin-sized upper and lower beds, porthole window. Cabins 8, 9, and 10. | $7,200 |
| Main Deck | Double occupancy, two lower twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large windows. Cabins 3 and 4. | $7,400 |
| Main Deck | Double occupancy, one queen-sized bed or two twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large window. Cabins 5, 6, and 7. | $7,400 |
| Upper Deck | Double occupancy, one queen-sized bed, TV, desk, chair, large window. Cabins 1 and 2. | $7,700 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, depending on cabin type, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See the Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we will not charge you a single supplement. If space is available, some cabins can be booked as a single by adding 90% over the listed cabin cost.
We cannot guarantee a specific cabin number, but if changes occur, we will assign a cabin of equal or greater value.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $1,500 |
| Final Payment | October 2, 2027 | Remaining balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm the reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Refunds are given depending on the time left before departure according to the following table. Through August 1, 2027, the cancellation fee of $300 per person can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the canceled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable.
| Dates | Forfeited Amount per Person |
|---|---|
| On or before August 1, 2027 | $300 (see terms above) |
| August 2 to August 31, 2027 | 10% of trip cost |
| September 1 to October 1, 2027 | 40% of trip cost |
| On or after October 2, 2027 | 100% of trip cost |
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, permits, and port and fuel fees, for all activities, unless described as optional.
- Accommodation (double occupancy) for the night of March 10.
- Seven nights on board the Turks and Caicos Explorer ll.
- Meals from breakfast on March 11 through breakfast on March 18, except meals listed in Not Included section.
- Transfers on March 18 between the Ocean World Marina and the Puerto Plata Airport.
- Snacks, coffee, tea, juices, soda, beer, wine, and spirits aboard the ship.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Lunch on March 11
- Divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities.
- Wetsuit and snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, and snorkeling fins) with limited rental availability.
- Emergency evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
The Silver Bank is typically 75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C) during the day and cool enough in the morning/evenings for a sweatshirt or light fleece. The water temperature is usually 76 to 78°F (24 to 26°C). On a typical day, winds blow from the north to southeast about 15 knots (17mph), ranging from 0 to 25 knots. The coral formations throughout the Silver Bank provide protection from the wind and sea conditions, and February–March is typically the least windy time of the whale season with infrequent rain.
Fitness Level
The greatest fitness demand of this trip will be swimming, but at a minimum, you must be able to move around the ship and embark/disembark from the tenders comfortably and safely. For safety and to get the most enjoyment out of this experience, you should be comfortable in the water, snorkeling, and getting in and out of the water via the tender ladder. Every in-water interaction is different, and in some encounters, you will float quietly while the whales come to you. More often, however, you must swim to position yourselves and, at times, swim in parallel with a slow-moving, relaxed whale. For these reasons, improving your swimming fitness before the voyage will benefit your experience.
Getting in the water is not required; we’ve shared this trip with travelers who had wonderful experiences whale watching from the tenders. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging or if you don’t have experience snorkeling but would like to join this trip.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) by 11:59pm on March 10.
- Depart from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) after 8:00am on March 18.
FAQ
What is the Silver Bank?
The Silver Bank is located about 80mi north of the Dominican Republic and 100mi southeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it’s one of the most important breeding and calving grounds for humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. At least 5,000 humpbacks use the Silver Bank from January through early April each year. The Silver Bank Sanctuary, established in 1986, is approximately 200 square miles (about the area of San Francisco city and county), and is now part of the larger Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic.
Water visibility on the Silver Bank varies daily, but averages from 40 to 60ft around the mooring area with occasional particles suspended in the water. The wind, swells, and slight current cause run-off from the coral, which determines the amount of visibility. The average water depth is approximately 80 to 90ft. Wind can affect whale watching, so weather plays a key role in the quality and nature of encounters.
What is a soft in-water encounter?
A soft in-water encounter is a passive, non-aggressive experience — floating at the surface in mask, fins, and snorkel — allowing humpback whales to approach on their own terms. The goal is to identify a cooperative, tolerant, or curious whale and meet it calmly and peacefully, creating a rare and meaningful connection between human and whale. With hundreds of voyages of experience, our guides read humpback behaviors and provide real-time instruction both above and below the surface. Following their guidance is essential to a safe and successful interaction.
What is a typical day like on the trip?
Each morning, you depart on two well-stocked tenders for the first outing of a full day of whale observations, both above and below water. Activity on the Silver Bank runs in cycles, so you’ll have slack periods that vary from day to day. Typically, you return to the ship for lunch, but if you experience extraordinary activity, expect to return to the main boat later or eat lunch on the tenders. If you return to the ship for lunch, you will go back out for the afternoon action, returning to the ship in time for dinner.
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Don’t let a fear of motion sickness keep you away! Even those who have experienced seasickness reported that the incredible wildlife and overall experience were well worth the temporary discomfort. If you are susceptible to seasickness or are concerned that you might be, please come prepared! The key to avoiding seasickness is to act before you experience nausea. Do your own research and consult your doctor before taking any medications. A good night of sleep, eating well, limiting alcohol, and using your favorite seasickness remedy is sufficient for most travelers. Find more information on our Coping with Seasickness webpage (this information is applicable to any form of motion sickness) and contact us if you have any questions.
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.