Sperm Whales
Join us for our third year in the Caribbean island of Dominica to meet the largest toothed predator on the planet.
An Immersive Week
During your week-long stay, you’ll spend approximately 35 hours on the water, venturing into the deep blue Caribbean to encounter sperm whales in their natural habitat. Our schedule follows the rhythms of the sea—some days may bring long, calm hours drifting near resting whales, while others may call for patience. The boat is privately chartered for our group, ensuring unhurried time and minimal impact.
We follow strict ethical standards: only three guests and one guide are allowed in the water at a time, with the boat remaining at least 50 meters from the whales. Each trip accommodates a maximum of six guests who are all on a government permit to be able to enter the water with the whales.
With deep roots along Dominica’s coast, our partners—the Armour family—bring decades of experience in whale conservation and responsible tourism. Their knowledge and cultural grounding shape every moment on the water.
Our base is a small hotel perched, offering basic comfort and easy access to our activities. Meals highlight fresh Caribbean flavors, and the island’s slower rhythm invites reflection, ocean swims, and walks along the volcanic shore.
Though the whales are our focus, this journey is also about connection—to place, to people, and to the ocean itself. Between boat days, you’ll have the chance to explore Dominica’s vibrant culture and wild landscapes, from rainforest hikes to local storytelling and community-led conservation efforts.
Daily Schedule
Day 1: Saturday (arrival day)
All participants are met at Dominica’s airport on arrival. We head over to our accommodation in Portsmouth, about an hour from the airport. Once settled, we do group introductions followed by a welcome dinner. This evening, everyone gets together for a trip briefing and gear check before bed.
Days 2~6: Sunday~Thursday
As wind, weather, and swells affect the trip, the daily schedule changes throughout the week and your trip leader announces the next day’s plan the day before.
A sample schedule for a day during the week looks like this:
08:00 Breakfast and morning briefing.
08:45 Departure from the hotel to the port.
09:00 Head out to find the whales
15:30 Return to shore, change out of wet/salty gear, shower, chill.
17:00 Optional workshop or lecture time (photography, editing, whales).
18:00 Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Friday (land day)
Each week includes a flexible land day, shaped by local conditions and our desire to avoid the crowds brought in by cruise ships. We typically explore the capital, Roseau, visit waterfalls tucked into the rainforest, soak in natural hot springs, and end the day with a shared meal. Depending on the week, we may also head to the island’s wild east coast or even venture north for a day trip to Les Saintes in Guadeloupe. No two weeks are the same—this day is about connecting beyond the water.
Day 8: Saturday (departure day)
We arrange airport shuttled from the hotel to bring you back to Dominica’s international airport three hours before your scheduled flight (meaning you’ll arrive at the airport with two hours to spare before your flight, which is plenty of time in Dominica’s small airport).
Accommodation Info
We base all trips at PBH and the adjacent Picard Beach Cottages—locally owned, beachfront properties with a laid-back, no-frills vibe. Rooms are basic but comfortable: no TVs or fancy extras, but you’ll have reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hot water showers, and in-room coffee/tea facilities with a fridge. Daily cleaning is provided, and everything you need for a simple, restful stay is in place. Our days are packed and we don’t spend much time in the rooms.
Since COVID, the rooms we use have seen considerable upgrades, and we’ve grown to really appreciate this area—for its quiet mornings, direct access to the water, and proximity to our boat launch. It’s not luxury, but it’s not uncomfortable either—just a clean, grounded place to rest between days on the sea.
Upgrade options to beach cottages may be available upon request for guests looking for a little more space.
Boat and In-Water Details
Our primary vessel in Dominica is a 36-foot boat equipped with a second-level viewing platform for whale spotting and ample space for gear and comfort. The captain may rotate among similar boats depending on weather and conditions. We typically use the boat for around 6-7 hours per day, depending on how far from Portsmouth we venture.
Each outing is supported by our experienced captain Andrew, a deckhand, a licensed local whale guide, and an additional guide from our team. Using unidirectional hydrophones, the crew tracks whale vocalizations to locate and approach them respectfully.
Only three guests enter the water at a time with one guide, and each trip is limited to six participants. While up to five in-water permits may exist, we typically encounter just two or three other boats. We prioritize the animals’ well-being, always honoring their space and natural behavior.
Dominica’s Cetaceans
Dominica is home to a resident population of sperm whales, which can be seen year-round. These deep-diving matrilineal clans rest and socialize near the surface between foraging dives, offering rare opportunities for quiet, extended encounters. Multiple pods pass through this area, as the southern Caribbean is home to some 400 individual whales. If lucky, you may even witness mating behaviours with the much larger, transient adult males who occasionally show up in these warm waters.
We observe their behavior carefully from the boat before entering the water, allowing the whales to set the tone and pace.
In addition to sperm whales, may encounter pilot whales, Fraser’s and spinner dolphins, beaked whales, and occasionally false orcas. All interactions are non-invasive and guided by the animals’ comfort—if they approach, we drift quietly in their presence; if not, we watch from a respectful distance.
Land Activities
Each week includes a land day designed to complement our time on the water.
We tailor the experience based on weather, group energy, and the number of cruise passengers in port—choosing routes and locations that keep us hopefully away from the crowds.
Typical days might include hiking to rainforest waterfalls, swimming in cool freshwater gorges, visiting natural hot springs, or sharing a long, relaxed group meals. On occasion, when Roseau’s port is overwhelmingly crowded, we venture farther—exploring the wild east coast or taking a boat across to Les Saintes in Guadeloupe.
Whether quiet or adventurous, each land day offers a deeper connection to Dominica’s volcanic landscapes and local rhythms.
Pricing Details
Standard Trips (max 6 guests, single rooms)
Early bird pricing:
$5,300 USD (before Sep 1st, 2025)
Normal pricing:
$5,600 USD (on/after Sep 1st, 2025)
Room share discount for couples: $200 off per person (no twin beds)
Includes
7 nights accommodation (single rooms for everyone, couples can share for a discount).
5 boat days (about 35 hrs total on-water time).
2 meals daily (breakfast and lunch).
1 full-day land excursion (different every week).
Airport transfers from DOM.
Pro whale guides, program leader and captain.
Optional photography/videography lessons.
Photos our trip leader gets of guests during the trip (no guarantees, but we try our best).
Excludes
Gear (must bring your own, emergency rentals are available but quality and sizes are very limited). You need a mask, snorkel, fins, 2-3mm wetsuit.
Flights
Dinners
Alcohol
Insurance
Personal spending and gratuities (optional)