6 days of swimming with the whales
on the Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic
© photos Tom Conlin
The WildQuest Humpback Whales Retreat Program offers you a group retreat experience shared intimately with a small number of like-hearted souls, letting go and relaxing, connecting on a daily basis with wild, free Humpback Whales.
As you experience the vastness of the ocean and sky in its timelessness and simplicity, you'll feel nurtured and supported – and thus gain deeper access to your inner world.
This program takes place on the Silver Bank, which is located about 70 miles north of the Dominican Republic and about the same distance from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It is one of numerous breeding and calving areas of the Humpback whales, hosting the largest population of Humpbacks in the North Atlantic, if not the world.
The Silver Bank was declared a Sanctuary for Marine Mammals in 1986 and it is believed that some three to five thousand humpbacks pass through it every year.
T
his is a live-aboard retreat, staying aboard the Nekton Rorqual. This USCG (United States Coast Guard) certified vessel has a unique Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH), which provides amazing stability and comfort unmatched by conventional monohulls and catamarans.
We’ll be staying in air-conditioned comfort with private baths, full size showers and spectacular ocean views. The price is based on double occupancy. There is a spacious partially shaded sky deck with chaise lounges and Jacuzzi, perfect for viewing the green flash sunsets and starlit nights.
The Nekton Rorqual chef will provide tasty and healthy meals and is happy to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please let us know when you make a reservation.
We managed to stretch our time with the Whales for another half a day in comparison with other similar programs, gaining six days of connecting with these beautiful creatures.
F
or the encounters with the Whales we’ll be using two 25 foot long Privateer Tenders. These vessels are equipped with the state of the art engines which eliminate exhaust fumes and thus allow a quiet approach. Their efficiency and maneuverability brings advantages in providing the best connections.
These tenders were built with the whales in mind. They are comfortable, well equipped and safe.
This is not cruise ship type of holiday. It is a group retreat/wilderness experience providing a supportive and loving environment to connect with the whales and ourselves.
There will be various meditations, sharing circles, a sacred place to heal our souls. Amlas and Atmo will be accompanying you during the whole trip.
We are on the open ocean, some 70 miles from the shore. Sometimes it may get windy but the special design and SWATH technology of Nekton Rorqual makes our journey to Silver Banks most stable and once at the mooring you’ll hardly notice the ship moving, no matter what the sea conditions turn out to be.
The coral formation throughout the area provides us with plenty of protection from wind and sea while at the mooring.
The water temperature ranges from 78F -81F 25C-27C and the days with 100 foot visibility are not uncommon. On average the visibility is 40 - 80 feet.
The nights are cool around 68F/20C but during the day the temperature soars to 85F/30
Our vision is of minimal intrusion, and our whale swims are conducted with respect and awareness. We do not feed, chase or do anything that might disrupt their natural behavior. Only at the whale’s invitation do we interact with them.
We provide a supportive and safe environment for the optimum connection.
WildQuest has been respectfully connecting with the Dolphins and Whales since 1995.
Our boats operate with the required permits.
Please support "Freedom! not captivity" for dolphins, however you can.
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We financially support:
Earth Island Institute, Sea Sheperd, The Dolphin Project,
and The Bahamas National Trust.
