Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Alongside Giants: Snorkeling Among Humpback Whales in the Silver Bank
Snorkel with Humpback Whales
March 16 to 23, 2024
Imagine swimming eye-to-eye with one of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures—the humpback whale—while surrounded by the serene beauty of the Caribbean Sea. This incredible encounter is a reality at the Silver Bank, where Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris offers an exclusive, intimate snorkeling expedition with these gentle giants. Our journey to the Silver Bank is more than just an adventure; it’s an immersion into one of nature’s grandest spectacles.
A Dive into Paradise: Exploring the Silver Bank
The Silver Bank, located off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is part of the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic, one of the few places in the world where humans can snorkel with humpback whales. Every year, from January to April, these whales migrate here to mate, give birth, and nurse their young in the warm, shallow waters.
This trip is an unforgettable opportunity to witness the complex social behaviors of humpback whales. The journey unfolds over seven days and six nights aboard the spacious M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II, our floating base for exploration and discovery.
Highlights
- Unmatched Whale Encounters: With expert guides and whale researchers on board, guests had the chance to swim and snorkel alongside humpback whales, observing their fascinating behaviors up close. The Silver Bank’s shallow waters (20 to 100 feet deep) provided an ideal setting for in-water interactions, maximizing both visibility and safety. Participants often witnessed everything from mother-calf pairs bonding to the acrobatic breaching displays of courting males. Many described these moments as life-changing, with mother whales sometimes gliding just feet away, calves nestled beside them.
- Small Group Advantage: The trip’s intimacy was unparalleled, with a maximum of just 19 guests. This allowed for personalized opportunities for in-water interactions. Cheesemans’ guides maintained small groups and ensured respectful encounters to protect the safety and well-being of both travelers and whales.
- Daily Snorkeling Expeditions: Each day consisted of two excursions in smaller tenders, designed to bring participants closer to the whales. The dedicated guides facilitated encounters with minimal disturbance, often leading to curious whales approaching swimmers.
“Scott is an absolute superstar – he cared for us at each and every moment. The Aquatic Adventures and boat crew were also very professional, interesting and supportive with a fabulous stream of Dad-jokes from Simon.”
-Elspeth Chasserv
“CES consistently provides unique wildlife experiences at reasonable prices with GREAT guides!”
-Steve Thompson
“Cheesemans’ has always provided me with the kind of trip that I love focused on wildlife experiences.”
-Debbie Thompson
Day 1: “Welcome Aboard!”
After settling into their cabins, travelers attended a safety briefing and enjoyed their first dinner onboard. Due to unfavorable weather, all ships decided to stay in port overnight and set sail for the Silver Bank in the early morning. The group spent the evening getting to know one another, sharing excitement for the upcoming encounters, and learning about the area’s ecology from expert guides.
Day 2: “Anchors Aweigh”
The group enjoyed breakfast as the ship departed for the Silver Bank. On the journey there, they kept an eye out for humpback whales breaching, dolphins swimming alongside the ship, and the occasional sea birds gliding by.
The ship arrived at the Silver Bank in the afternoon and the guides conducted an in-depth briefing on snorkeling safety and whale interaction protocols. Once everyone had their gear ready, they found their tender group and went out for their in-water test run and first whale encounters before dinner.
Day 3: “Into the Blue – First Whale Encounters”
The first full day in the Silver Bank dawned with sunny skies and calm seas, ideal conditions for whale encounters.
- Morning: After breakfast, guests boarded their assigned tenders and set out in search of where the Humpback Whales may be breaching.
- Daytime Adventures: The first snorkeling sessions offered incredible moments as travelers found themselves just feet away from these gentle giants. Some observed mother-calf pairs bonding, while others were thrilled by the sight of breaching and tail-slapping males competing for attention. Guests often described these encounters as surreal, with the sheer size and grace of the whales leaving them in awe.
- Evening: After each day’s excursions, travelers returned to the vessel for a happy hour on the open-air deck while sunsets bathed the ocean in golden light. They shared stories, photos, and insights over relaxed dinners and enjoyed a presentation by the crew on the Silver Bank’s ecology and the whales.
“Floating in the water as a humpback mother and calf swam towards us and veered away at the last moment. Magical!” -Steve Thompson
Days 4-5: “Voices from the Deep – Listening to the Humpback Chorus”
The middle days of the trip offered deeper experiences, with the highlight being the haunting songs of the male Humpbacks.
- Morning: Guides used hydrophones to broadcast the whales’ songs, allowing travelers to listen to the underwater melodies. As the guides explained, these vocalizations were part of the whales’ complex communication and courtship rituals, adding a deeper layer to the experience.
- Daytime Adventures: During snorkeling sessions, travelers often encountered curious young calves that approached them closely, seemingly as interested in the visitors as the visitors were in them. Guests also observed mothers teaching calves how to breach and surface-breathe, offering rare insights into Humpback parenting.
- Evening: Back onboard, naturalists led informative discussions about whale behavior, migration patterns, and conservation challenges. Travelers left with a greater appreciation for the need to protect these magnificent animals and their habitats.
“There was one moment where I felt like it was just me and the baby whale. It wasn’t of course, but it felt like it. Like we were just looking at each other with curiosity. And then she started swimming towards me! Amazing. Just amazing. I swam backwards, as we had been told to do, and she curved away as well, but it was a beautiful moment.” -Elspeth Chasser
Snorkel with Humpback Whales March 16 to 23, 2024
Day 6: “Final Encounters – Bidding Farewell to the Giants”
The last full day on the Silver Bank delivered a blend of excitement and nostalgia as travelers made the most of their final opportunities to snorkel with the humpback whales.
- Morning: With conditions favorable, the last snorkeling excursion brought an unforgettable moment for many travelers, with close encounters as mother whales and their calves glided effortlessly beneath them.
- Afternoon: Following a celebratory lunch on the vessel, the group began the journey back to Puerto Plata. Travelers shared stories of their favorite encounters and reflected on the unique opportunity they had to witness these animals in such an intimate way.
- Evening: The ship arrived back at the marina in Puerto Plata and the group enjoyed one last night aboard. A farewell dinner capped the trip, with toasts to the whales, the crew, and the lifelong memories made on this adventure.
Day 7: “Back to Shore – Returning with Memories”
- Morning: After breakfast, travelers disembarked, exchanging contact information and bidding fond farewells to each other and the crew. They left with a sense of awe and gratitude for the experiences shared over the week.
Unforgettable Highlights of the Silver Bank Expedition
The entire trip offered unparalleled whale encounters, small-group interactions, and daily snorkeling excursions designed to provide maximum in-water time. Expert guides ensured that every interaction was respectful and meaningful, emphasizing conservation and safety at all times. Travelers returned home not only with incredible photographs but also with a profound connection to the ocean’s giants.
Snorkel with Humpback Whales
March 13 to 21, 2026
Join Us for the Next Adventure!
The Silver Bank adventure offered travelers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel alongside humpback whales in their natural habitat. It was more than just a trip—it was a journey into the wild heart of the Caribbean, filled with awe-inspiring moments and meaningful encounters.
Book your spot today for Cheesemans’ next Silver Bank adventure and create your own unforgettable memories!
For more information and to reserve your spot, visit our website or contact us at (800) 527-5330. We can’t wait to explore the world with you!