Dominica: Sperm Whales

Swim with one of the ocean's most fascinating giants in the south Caribbean, where these magnificent whales gather to feed and socialize in the warm, clear waters.

2025 EXPEDITION DATES

APRIL SESSIONS

April 5-12, 2025 (6 spots total)
April 12-19, 2025 (6 spots total)

Apply for 2025 Sessions

Sperm Whales

Located a quick 3-hour direct flight from Miami, the Caribbean island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is one of the best — if not the best — places to legally swim with sperm whales in clear, warm waters. With a limited number of permits available and a resident Caribbean group of 200+ whales in the surrounding waters, encounters are often up close and personal with one of the ocean’s most unique and colossal creatures.

Sperm whales live in tight-knit family units, with females staying together as residents in the tropical waters year-round. Juvenile males remain in the pod until adulthood, when they leave the unit for colder, deeper water to live solitary lives. Adult males can grow to nearly double the size of an adult female. While there is no set migration schedule, mature males migrate down to the tropics, normally between February and March, to mate with the females, creating a social frenzy in the water.

Swimming permits are highly regulated and issued on a limited basis to a select number of captains. We have secured the necessary permits and a beautiful 75 ft catamaran for our days out at sea, spending ~7 hours each day on the boat. Evenings will be spent at a basic yet comfortable beachfront accommodation on land.

As a nature program, our success depends on the luck of the seas. Historically, we have encountered sperm whales on approximately 60% of our days on the water, using a combination of unidirectional hydrophone location techniques and visual sightings. Besides sperm whales, we have also encountered pilot whales, sailfish, false killer whales, and dolphins in these waters.

BASICS

Guests: Maximum 6 participants per session, plus staff.

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights.

Location: Dominica, West Indies, Caribbean.

Activities: 5 days of snorkeling with sperm whales and other pelagic animals plus 1 full-day land excursion.

Experience Level: Perfect for all experience levels— snorkelers looking to get their feet wet, free divers, and photographers. No scuba qualification is required. All participants should feel comfortable swimming at least 200 meters at a time unaided in open water.

Admission: By invitation or application only. Apply to join here.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Dominica; private transfers from the airport are included for flights arriving today. Briefing, introductions, and gear check in Portsmouth.

Day 2: Full-day land excursion to get to know your fellow explorers. Explore Dominica’s capital city of Roseau, and swim in stunning waterfalls, hot springs, and a freshwater gorge that was the filming site of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Day 3~7: Head out at 9am aboard our catamaran to look for sperm whales and other wildlife. This is the open ocean — past groups have had luck swimming with dolphins, false killer whales, sailfish, and more! Home cooked breakfast and lunch are catered on board. We return to shore between 3-5pm depending on how the day goes and how far we end up offshore.

Day 8: Departures from Dominica; private transfers to the airport are included for flights departing today.

Andrew Armour

Captain Andrew Armour, a native of Portsmouth, Dominica, has been swimming with sperm whales since the late 1980s. Known as the famed “whale whisperer,” he pioneered this activity in Dominica and has developed personal relationships with many resident whales, including the famous "pod of seven" who recognize and approach him in the water.
Pier Nirandara

Pier Nirandara is an award-winning author, travel writer, film producer, and underwater photographer. A PADI AmbassaDiver™ and TEDx speaker, she founded Hollywood Sharks, the first diving club in the industry. An advocate for solo female travel, Pier has visited over 100 countries across 7 continents. Her work is featured in BBC, AFAR, Lonely Planet, Oceanographic Magazine, Adventure.com, and more.
Matt Reichel

Matt, from Vancouver, Canada, is a nature enthusiast, geopolitics nerd, and documentary photographer. A Brown University graduate in International Relations, he leads oceanic programs and geopolitical trips, documenting wildlife and humanity since 2017. His work has been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, Al Jazeea, VICE, Reuters and more.

Tuition: $5,500 (USD)

Due at the time of booking: $2,000 deposit.
Balances are due 4 months before departure.
Single supplement and accommodation upgrades are available for an additional fee. See Terms and Conditions for more info.

INCLUDED