Ted CheesemanArrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and embark on the ship
Mar 12
Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic by mid-afternoon and transfer to the Turks and Caicos Explorer II.
On the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Snorkel with Humpback Whales
March 12 - 19, 2022
Cost: $5,520 to $6,020
Leader: Ted Cheeseman
Group Size: 19
Days: 8
Safari Overview
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. This time of year is peak breeding season which will provide you with once-in-a-lifetime experiences of in-water encounters and whale watching. Witness males vying for the coveted “escort” role and hear them sing their famous songs. Slip into the water to see curious calves as they follow their mothers and drink their rich milk. Absorb Ted’s extensive knowledge of photographic techniques and of the behaviors, anatomy, and temperaments of the North Atlantic humpback whales. When the weather cooperates, and it normally does this time of year, you’ll get close-up photos of surface activity like breaching, flipper-slapping, and competitive interactions. You’ll also come eye-to-eye with whales during soft-in-water encounters. Nothing compares to sharing the water with a whale!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Swim alongside humpback whales, including docile mother-and-calf pairs whose curiosity brings them eye-to-eye with you for an unforgettable experience.
- Take advantage of opportunities to photograph the intricacies of whale behavior and learn how to interpret these behaviors from our expert leader.
- Discover the Silver Bank, an important whale breeding and calving site within the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic, during five total days of in-water whale interaction (half a day longer than other tours).
Itinerary Updated: February 2020
Ship Info FAQ Print Trip
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12 | Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Board ship in the late afternoon. | Turks and Caicos Explorer II | D |
| Mar 13 | Full day of whale watching while cruising to the mooring site on the Silver Bank. Afternoon of in-water, up close whale interaction. | Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 14–17 | Four full days of soft-in-water encounters and learning about whale behavior, anatomy, conservation, and individual personalities. | Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 18 | Morning in-water whale encounters. Whale watching en route to Puerto Plata. | Turks and Caicos Explorer II | B, L, D |
| Mar 19 | Disembark after breakfast and fly home. | B |
Our Trip Leaders
![]()
Ted Cheeseman
Ted grew up traveling extensively and began studying and photographing wildlife as a child. After completing a Master's degree in Tropical Conservation Biology at Duke University, Ted returned to California to lead and organize expeditions full time with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. Ted currently leads expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and obsesses over humpback whales identified around the world through the citizen science project Happywhale.com. Ted is working on a Ph.D. on humpbacks at Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Arrive on the Silver Bank
Mar 13
Scan the waters for whales en route to the mooring site on the Silver Bank. After your mid-morning arrival, you’ll be briefed about soft-in-water encounters, a profound experience for all, and prepare for a full afternoon on the two tenders.
Enter the whales’ world
Mar 14–17
© Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
The numerous female humpback whales that choose the Silver Bank as their nursery for their newborn calves are usually nestled in the northeast corner of the Silver Bank, a shallow area protected by coral heads. Although coral heads encompass the entire Silver Bank, the northeast corner has extensive coral that breaks the surface during low tides, giving protection to newborn calves (and you!).
You may have some “whale waiting” time while looking for cooperative humpback whales, but that time is quickly forgotten when you are amidst surface activity and soft-in-water encounters. Most of the time you will find whale activity nearby. In fact, you will more often ask, “Which whale should we watch?” rather than, “Where are the whales?” The biggest obstacle to success is spending too much time with uncooperative whales, so be prepared to leave one group in search for more cooperative ones; be patient as you may approach many whales before finding an interested group that allows us to join them in their element and on their terms.
Morning whale watching, then return to Puerto Plata
Mar 18
You will spend the morning on the tenders then return to the ship for lunch. Sail back to Puerto Plata through the banks, watching for more whale activity from the ship deck while bidding farewell to the world of these docile creatures. You will arrive in Puerto Plata in the late evening for your last night on board.
Disembark and fly home
Mar 19
Disembark in the morning and transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Silver Bank
In the warm waters of the Dominican Republic, the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales converge on the Silver Bank.
19.754942, -70.56315
Ship Information
Turks & Caicos Explorer II
The Turks and Caicos Explorer II is the best platform for whale watching on the Silver Bank. It is 124ft long with a 22-ft beam. The vessel will be our hotel for the week on the bank, anchored in a sheltered spot on the reef while we venture out by tender to share our days with the whales.
More Information
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- FAQ
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Seasickness
- Flights
- 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, 10. | $5,520 |
| Main Deck | Double occupancy, two lower twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large windows, cabins 3, 4. | $5,720 |
| Main Deck | Double occupancy, queen-sized bed or two lower twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large window, cabins 5, 6, 7. | $5,720 |
| Upper Deck | Double occupancy, one queen-sized bed, TV, desk, chair, large window, cabins 1, 2. | $6,020 |
Costs are per person depending on cabin type and occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
We reserve the right to charge for cost increases that occur between when we set trip prices and the date of travel, for example, changes due to the cost of lodging and transportation. If you are a single traveler and you desire, we will find a roommate for you. If we cannot find you a roommate, we will not charge you a single supplement. If space is available, some cabins can be booked for a single occupant by adding 90% over the listed cabin cost. Single rooms are subject to availability.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific cabin number. If changes occur, we will do everything in our power to assign a cabin of equal or greater value as the cabin type specified in your reservation. Deck plan, cabin arrangements, and cabin amenities are subject to change by ship operator.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Second Payment | April 1, 2021 | $2,000 |
| Final Payment | October 1, 2021 | Remaining balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space. For reservations made after a due date, all past payments will be due with registration. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule and cancellation policy as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited.
Cancellations
Refunds are given depending on the time left before departure according to the following table. The cancellation fee of $300 per person can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance that could reimburse your trip costs in the event of your cancellation.
| Dates | Forfeited Amount per Person |
|---|---|
| On or before July 31, 2021 | $300 |
| August 1 to August 31, 2021 | 10% of trip cost |
| September 1 to September 30, 2021 | 40% of trip cost |
| On or after October 1, 2021 | 100% of trip cost |
Included
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Transfers to the ship from your hotel or the Puerto Plata airport (POP) on March 12 and directly from the ship to the Puerto Plata airport (POP) on March 19.
- Seven nights on board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II.
- Meals from dinner on March 12 through breakfast on March 19.
- Snacks, coffee, tea, juices, soda, beer, wine, and spirits aboard the ship.
- Cruising and port fees.
- Onboard lectures in the evenings.
- Trip Materials – information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Airfare is approximately $500 to $800 between the US and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, depending on origin.
- Wetsuit and snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and snorkel fins). We will send you more details about rentals in the Trip Materials.
- We can arrange divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights for an extra cost.
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting $50 to $100 per participant per day for March 13 to March 18 aboard the ship (about $300 to $600 total per participant), to be distributed among all the ship crew. Our leader, Ted Cheeseman, and local operator, Tom Conlin, do not receive a gratuity.
- Tips for porters and cab drivers for all transfers.
- Emergency medical and evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance. For more information see travel insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as equipment rental, laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, and items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Reservation 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 to wear 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 the least windy time of the whale season and rain is infrequent. The crossing to and from the Silver Bank is usually calm, but we can encounter rough sea conditions. At the mooring area, you may hardly notice the ship moving, depending the sea conditions. Because we are about 80mi offshore from the Dominican Republic on an ocean frontier, sea conditions are subjected to Mother Nature’s many moods.
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness is required to join this whale trip, but your fitness and snorkeling ability enrich the experience. Getting in the water is not required; we’ve shared this trip with travelers who had wonderful experiences whale watching from the tenders. At minimum you need to comfortably and safely move around the ship and embark / disembark from the whale watching tenders. To get the most out of this trip you should be comfortable in the water, snorkeling, and getting in and out of the water via a boat ladder. Please contact us if you don’t have experience snorkeling but would like to join this trip. Strong swimming ability and the ability to free dive (i.e., diving underwater without scuba tanks) are not required, but will also enrich your experience, especially if you can dive to hear whales sing.
Flights
Airfare is not included in trip costs. Detailed logistical information and the contact information for our recommended flight-ticketing agent are included in the Trip Materials we will send you. Please let us know if you are arriving earlier or staying later as we are happy to assist you with any extra overnights that you might want to arrange.
Flights you (or a travel agent) book: We suggest arriving in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) a day early on March 11, but no later than mid-afternoon on March 12. Depart from Puerto Plata (POP) anytime on March 19.
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 sq mi (about the area of San Francisco city and county), and 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. As a whole, the Silver Bank has patchy visibility. The average water depth is approximately 80–90ft. Wind can impede whale watching, so weather will dictate the quality of activity with the whales.
What is a soft-in-water encounter?
A soft-in-water encounter is passive, non-aggressive floating at the surface, in mask, fins, and snorkel, allowing the humpback whales to develop an interest in you. The key is to find a cooperative, tolerant, or curious whale to meet in the water calmly and peacefully on its terms, to experience a rare and treasured encounter between you and that individual. With hundreds of voyages under their belt, our guides can interpret the behaviors of the humpbacks and tell us how to react to them above and below the water. Following instructions is key to successful interactions.
What is a typical day like on safari?
Each morning you depart on two well-stocked tenders for full days 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 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
Seasickness
Don’t let a fear of seasickness scare you away! Our vessel is moored in calm water for the duration of the week, and rarely does someone get seasick while in the tenders we watch whales from daily. The voyages to and from the Silver Bank are usually the only time motion-sensitive travelers take medication, and our voyage out is during the evening, so most sleep through it. Although you will eventually acquire your “sea legs”, bring seasickness medication. As with all medications, do your own research and consult with your doctor before taking any drugs (even if they are over-the-counter) and especially if you are taking other drugs. Read our suggestions for coping with seasickness and contact us if you have any concerns.
Transportation
Conditions
- Non-smoking policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our trips.
- Maximum time in nature: We try to spend as much time in nature as possible, sometimes resulting in long days but giving you a more in-depth experience.
- Itinerary route: The itinerary route, stops and plans are subject to change by unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, such as weather or road conditions.
- Additional forms: For some of our trips, you may be asked to fill out additional forms (e.g., medical questionnaire).
- Medical conditions and travel risks: Travel to remote places is exciting, but it is important to understand and accept the risks, both medical and logistical. Minor medical problems can usually be treated, but because we are often far from medical facilities, there can be no expectation for immediate medical treatment or evacuation, even in cases of trauma. Anyone with health problems needing close medical supervision should not consider going on this trip. Bring enough medication for the duration of the trip for any chronic medical needs since pharmacies are usually not available. When you send your deposit and signed Reservation Form, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for other trip participants.
- Use of drones/UAVs on trips: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), AKA drones, are not suitable for use on most Cheesemans’ Ecology trips due to logistical constraints and in many cases, local and national laws or regulations. In some cases, such as on our polar voyages, we operate under environmental regulations that ban the use of recreational drones. Do not bring a drone on a trip without contacting us first.