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On the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic

Snorkel with Humpback Whales

March 13 to 21, 2026
Cost: $6,650 to $7,150
Leader: Scott Davis
Group Size: 19
Days: 9

    Safari Overview

    In the warm waters off the coast of the Dominican Republic, the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales gathers on the Silver Bank to mate and calve. During this peak breeding season, you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe extraordinary whale behavior both in and out of the water. Watch from the tenders as powerful males vie for the coveted “escort” role in thrilling heat runs and slip into the water to witness playful calves trailing their mothers, learning to nurse, socialize, and explore, all while listening for the sounds of distant whale songs. With favorable weather—common this time of year—you’ll capture stunning close-up photos of breaching, flipper-slapping, and other dramatic surface displays. Revel in the soft in-water encounters where you might even find yourself eye-to-eye with these gentle giants. There’s nothing quite like sharing the water with these magnificent creatures!

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Experience five total days of whale interaction, a half-day longer than other trips.
    • Delight in unforgettable close encounters with humpback whales, including mother-and-calf pairs.
    • Photograph various whale behaviors above and below the surface and learn how to interpret them from our expert leader and crew.
    • Listen for the melodic sounds of distant whale songs.

    NOTABLE EXPERIENCES


    Itinerary Updated: September 2024

    Wildlife Safari Coordinator: Elizabeth Coler



    Ship Info FAQ Print Trip
    Date Description Lodge Meals
    Mar 13 Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Cofresi Hills Residence, Cofresi
    Mar 14 Board the ship in the evening and navigate to the Silver Bank overnight. On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II B, D
    Mar 15 Afternoon of in-water, up-close whale interaction. On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II B, L, D
    Mar 16-19 Enter the whales’ world during four full days of soft in-water encounters. Learn about whale behavior, anatomy, conservation, and individual personalities. On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II B, L, D
    Mar 20 Morning of in-water whale encounters. Whale watching en route back to Puerto Plata. On board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II B, L, D
    Mar 21 Disembark after breakfast and fly home. B

    Our Trip Leaders

    Scott Davis

    Scott, 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, BBCAnimal PlanetNY 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.

    Detailed Itinerary

    A glimpse into our journey

    Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

    Mar 13

    Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for an overnight stay near the Ocean World Marina.

    Board the ship

    Mar 14

    Ocean World Marina
    © Steve Thompson

    Arrive at the marina in the early evening to board the Turks and Caicos Explorer II. After dinner, you'll navigate to the mooring site while you spend the night in your comfortable cabin.

    Arrive on the Silver Bank

    Mar 15

    Wake up on the Silver Bank! After breakfast, 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 16-19

    Humpback Whales
    © Luke Tingley

    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 relatively 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 amid 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 of 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 encounters, then navigate back to Puerto Plata

    Mar 20

    Spend the morning on the tenders for your last encounters, then return to the ship for lunch. Navigate back to Puerto Plata through the banks, watching for whale and dolphin activity from the 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 21

    Disembark in the morning, after breakfast, 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.

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    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 a 124ft ship that will be your home during the trip, and with two tenders, it provides the best platform for whale watching on the Silver Bank. You’ll anchor on the reef and venture out by tender to share your days with the humpbacks.


    More Information
    Ship Turks & Caicos Explorer II with Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris

    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. $6,650
    Main Deck Double occupancy, two lower twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large windows. Cabins 3 and 4. $6,850
    Main Deck Double occupancy, one queen-sized bed or two twin-sized beds, desk, chair, large window. Cabins 5, 6, and 7. $6,850
    Upper Deck Double occupancy, one queen-sized bed, TV, desk, chair, large window. Cabins 1 and 2. $7,150

    Costs are per person, depending on cabin type, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See 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 $1,000
    Final Payment October 5, 2025 Remaining balance

    Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.


    Cancellations

    Refunds are given depending on the time left before departure according to the following table. Through August 3, 2025, 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 4, 2025 $300 (see terms above)
    August 5 to September 4, 2025 10% of trip cost
    September 5 to October 4, 2025 40% of trip cost
    On or after October 5, 2025 100% of trip cost

    Included

    • Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
    • All leaders, transport, port and fuel fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
    • Accommodation (double occupancy) for the night of March 13.
    • Seven nights on board the Turks and Caicos Explorer ll.
    • Meals from breakfast on March 14 through breakfast on March 21, except meals listed in Not Included section.
    • Transfers on March 21 between the Ocean World Marina and the Puerto Plata Airport or your hotel.
    • 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. Round-trip airfare is approximately $500 to $800 between the US and Puerto Plata, depending on origin.
    • Passport and visa fees.
    • COVID tests.
    • Lunch on March 14
    • Divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights.
    • Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting about $75 to $100 per participant per day for six days with your ship crew (about $450 to $600 total per participant).
    • 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.

    Flights you book

    • Arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) by 11:59pm on March 13.
    • Depart from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) after 8:00am on March 21.

    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 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 impede whale watching, so weather will dictate your 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 you how to react to them above and below the water. Following instructions is key to successful interactions.

    What is a typical day like on the trip?

    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

    Motion Sickness

    Don’t let a fear of seasickness scare you away! The crossing to and from the Silver Bank is usually calm, but we can encounter rough sea conditions. At the mooring area, the waters are relatively calm. Because we are about 80mi offshore from the Dominican Republic on an ocean frontier, sea conditions are subject to Mother Nature’s many moods. Travelers rarely get seasick while in the tenders. 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

    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.