Unique Trips
Group Trips
Whether you are going solo or traveling with good mates, a group trip is a great way to see the world. We've posted some of our own exclusive charters as well as other group trips to both diving and non-diving destinations. Snorkel with calving and mating humpback whales in Tonga or the Dominican Republic and be astonished how much grace and gentleness these massive mammals possess. On a group departure you may witness the thundering sounds of hooves during the annual migration in East Africa – proof that there is tremendous strength in numbers. You may also isit an orangutan sanctuary in Malaysia and come back intensely dedicated to saving them from extinction. These once in a lifetime trips will reawaken your joy for travel and our planet. Traveling with a group of like minded voyagers is not only rewarding, but fun!
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Antarctica
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.
It is hard to imagine that there is another place that has an even greater population of king penguins, but there is – St. Andrews Bay! It hosts a breeding colony numbering more than 150,000 king penguin pairs with a stunning backdrop of snow-covered mountains – a sight you will never forget. And the beaches of St. Andrews Bay are also occupied by relaxed fur seals and feisty southern elephant seals.
Keeping in mind that when penguins are present, so are the third largest seal in the world: the leopard seal. We hope to see these predators of the south pole as they have an acquired taste for Gentoo, Chinstrap, King, Rockhopper and even Emperor penguins. They can reach up to 1300 lbs (590 kgs) in weight and grow up to 10 feet/3 meters. Their bodies are long and slender and their heads appear to be too large for their thin, serpent-like bodies. Because their body is streamline-shaped, it is excellent for propelling through the water at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. They are solitary except until breeding time which occurs from November until March. They have few predators and can be dangerous to humans.
The island of Steeple Jason extends off the far northwest side of the Falkland Islands into the Atlantic Ocean. Over 70% of the global population of Black-browed Albatross breed here. According to a recent aerial survey, about 183,000 pairs of Black-browed Albatrosses nest along one side of the island—one elevated nest after another spanning for miles. It is a noise-filled place of continuous Albatross chatter competing with the squawking of Rockhopper Penguins who have elected to nest on the ground directly beneath the elevated Albatross nests. In addition, a screeching chorus is often heard from attacking Striated Caracara. Steeple Jason is the largest nesting colony of these aggressive birds of prey who continually patrol above and around the Albatross and Penguins searching for food for themselves and their chicks.
Every day on shore is packed with unforgettable eye-to-eye wildlife experiences. It is not possible to adequately describe all of them here. And during our time at sea cruising from island to island, we may be lucky to spot several different whale species.
This is an incredible adventure that you don’t want to miss. And go as soon as possible because Antarctica is experiencing global warming with a devastating impact on the natural environment. At the time of writing this text, Antarctica was experiencing the highest temperatures recorded in history – +70ºF/+20ºC during their fall season.
Details:
JOIN US ON AN ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE! With a more in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, our Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition voyage gives you the chance to venture beyond the Antarctic Circle, a milestone few have reached. Including an in-depth exploration of the penguin colonies, glaciers, bays and historical sites of the Peninsula, you’ll also navigate beyond 66⁰33´ South.
Date: Jan 9-22, 2022
Price: from $19,000
Antarctica’s glacial beauty of towering snow-capped mountains with glistening ice formations ranging from blue to white, makes this expedition to the seventh continent one of life’s great experiences.
Aided by technical support onboard the Hans Hansson, Amos conducts dramatic open water dives along the walls of grounded icebergs. We explore to find the Leopard seals hunting ground in uncharted inlets and bays. Our chances increase dramatically since we are allowed and able to stay for many days at any promising location. Since the small vessel has very minimal impact on the environment, we are free to move everywhere. We also invest a few days in search of Orcas, following them to see if we are lucky to witness this highly-capable species execute their signature hunting maneuvers.
Our Antarctica expedition is specifically timed to coincide with the fledging of penguin chicks when these young birds first venture out from the warm comfort under their parents’ chests. It is a period when the chicks begin to explore the frigid water to learn swimming and feeding skills. Unlike their clumsy waddle on land, penguins are adept swimmers. Once they depart, food deprived adults venture into open water to hunt fish for themselves and their chicks.
The timing is perfect to observe one of Antarctica’s only predators, the leopard seal, feed on penguins. Posing motionless in shallow bay, almost appearing like a harmless rock, the spotted seals wait patiently in shallow water for the opportunity to devour the young penguins. We only recently discovered that the leopard seal does not solely dominate the food chain.
Details:
Journey to Antarctica with award-winning nature photographer and adventurer, Amos! Dramatic diving awaits with leopard seals, penguins, orcas, icebergs and whales!
Date: (group size 8-10)
2022 dates TBA
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2: The winged life of the westerlies
Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day 3: Finding the Falklands
The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During this part of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.
Day 4: Porting in Port Stanley
The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley offers a little Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Admission to the museum is included.
Day 5 - 6: Once more to the sea
On the way to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature gradually cools, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon sometimes attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
Day 7 - 10: South Georgia journey
Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program.
You may visit the following sites over the next few days:
Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. You may have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding season (December – January).
Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cooper Bay – A Zodiac cruise in Cooper Bay offers a great opportunity to see macaroni penguins below a large rookery. Numerous fur and elephant seals are found on the beach, while majestic light-mantled albatrosses can be seeing gracefully gliding above.
Day 11: Southward bound
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.
Day 12: Weddell Sea pack ice & total solar eclipse (Dec 4, early morning)
The ship positions itself in the center of the shadow of the moon, and if possible, some distance into the Scotia Sea drift ice. The ice edge will be about 60°S, 41°W.
Day 13 - 14: Last push to Antarctica
Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Day 15 - 17: Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself. If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked in mist, but they nonetheless offer many subtle pleasures. A wide variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels) live here.
On Deception Island, the ship plunges through Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. If a landing here is possible, you will find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape petrels. A number of kelp gulls, brown skuas, south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns can be spotted here too.
Your last activities before venturing into the Drake Passage are likely to find you around the northern Gerlache Strait. One option is Cierva Cove and the rugged, ice-gripped mountains of the Davis Coast. Mikkelsen Harbour on the south coast of Trinity Island is another alternative. Here you may enjoy a gentoo penguin rookery as well as some fine scenic cruising. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 18 - 19: North by sea
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re greeted by a vast array of seabirds. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day 20: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speedis 10.5 knots.
Details:
Though you can see the total solar eclipse along a few key path locations around the globe, none of them offers as unique a “venue” as Antarctica. Combine that with everything else you’ll enjoy during this voyage and you end up with one truly exceptional journey of discovery around the Antarctic Peninsula - South Georgia and Falkland Islands.
Ships, dates & rates:
Plancius
Nov 23-Dec 12, 2021 - from $16400
Janssonius
Nov 25-Dec 14, 2021 - from $16400
Hondius
Nov 26-Dec 15, 2021 - from $16400
Argentina
Join leader, Amanda Cotton, to encounter the Southern Right Whales. On our expedition, a thousand of these slow-moving whales gather. Researchers documented 1,605 whales, including 1,365 mothers and calves, 17 white calves and 185 male or juvenile whales.
These expedition groups are especially small, to limit the pressure on the habitat and the wildlife. It’s also better for guests. Each person will have better encounters with the animals, and longer, more rewarding experiences and photo opportunities.
What’s Included:
8 days of travel
6 days snorkeling with whales
Exclusive use of vessel with just 3 guests
Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Required permitting
Local taxes
Group transportation to and from airport
Expedition leader
Details:
Encounter thousands of Southern Right Whales off the coast of Argentina on this amazing voyage of discovery.
Future dates + rates: TBA
Bahamas
There is a very special group of Atlantic spotted dolphin living on the edge of the Bahama Banks around Bimini Island. These dolphins have developed a unique bond with the humans. A voluntary relationship based on play and curiosity has developed over the years, never reinforced with hand- feeding or training. This has given us the chance to learn from the dolphins in their world and on their terms. Spotted Dolphins are fun loving sea mammals that are intelligent, friendly, and playful. Interacting with these wild dolphin is spiritually communicating with a highly intelligent being using body language. Possible they have been trying to interact with humans for centuries, but it has been only in the past few decades that humans have started to look at them as intelligent complex individuals.
So, what is it like to swim with a wild dolphin? In a word - incredible! For many people it is a very personal event, for some it can be a life-changing experience. There is very little doubt when you look into a dolphins eye there is someone intelligent looking back. In the water you can hear the dolphins communicating with whistles and echolocating with clicks and a humming sound you can feel as a tingling sensation. Graceful, fast and highly maneuverable, they are perfectly adapted to their liquid environment. Snorkeling and free diving during wild dolphin encounters you glide along side by side. Mimicking each others moves. A few of them will instigate tactile interaction with humans. They will rub along side of you or touch you with a fin. Some of these enjoy a gentle rub. Most of the dolphin prefers if you swim with your arms down at your sides and not reaching out for them. So they can swim shoulder to shoulder with you. Their eye to eye contact is hypnotic. These wild spotted dolphins come to play with us of their own free will. It is a natural encounter with wild dolphins that are in complete control of the interaction. They can appear or disappear at anytime. Dolphin encounters can last from a few minutes to several hours each.
A live aboard boat is the best way to get the ultimate in wild dolphin experiences. The live aboard experience is where you sleep, eat and swim from the boat, similar to a cruise ship only much smaller and much more personal. The dolphins live in the ocean, so for the best encounter you should live on the ocean in a comfortable and safe boat. Imagine waking up in the morning and going to bed at night with dolphins swimming around the boat. The Dolphin Dream is the only operator who offers night time dolphin encounters. Snorkeling with dolphins at night while they feed under twelve 500 watt lights on the boat.
Details:
Join us for a trip of lifetime aboard M/V Dolphin Dream for epic wild dolphin encounters.
Dates:
2022 dates TBA
Deposit Price: $700 per person/double occupancy * Final price TBA
In/out of West Palm Beach, Florida
Includes: 6 nights on board, all day/night snorkel trips, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, taxes & fuel charters, and service of the crew and boat team.
Botswana
Nile crocodiles like to bask in the sun along riverbanks in the Okavango Delta. During June and July (Botswana’s winter), the water is a chilly 55-62° F, and underwater visibility is about twenty feet. These huge reptiles spend many hours every day soaking up the heat from the sun’s rays, but the moment a crocodile spots our boat, they dive seeking security in the water.
Cold water makes them lethargic and slow, and their poor underwater vision provides us with a great opportunity to photograph these heavily armored crocodilians with most powerful jaws bite, greater of the Great White shark. Taking advantage of the crocodile’s habits, our days on the delta begin between 9-10 am so we can view basking crocodiles.
The moment the croc seeks refuge under water, we stop our boat approximately 100 yards away. Quickly donning scuba tanks over the 5 to 7mm wetsuits, we enter the water. Our descent is direct; we do not want to remain on the water’s surface, known as the croc’s “kill zone.” The reptile is attracted to subjects on the water’s surface, especially those that are silhouetted against the sun, so it is imperative that we descend quickly and spend as little time on the surface as possible so as not to look like a potential meal.
Details:
Travel to Botswana with Amos to photograph nile crocs underwater (yep, you read that right!). In late May the rains fall on the Angola heights and cause a huge surge of cold clean water to flush out the Okavango Delta. In early June we can get a secondary push further cleaning up the Delta. The cold current coupled with the cool ambient air temperature gives us the conditions to enable us to dive with the Nile Croc. Amos has led dives here for the past 8 years including doing a National Geographic production called “Feed the Dragon”
Date:
Jul 24-Aug 1, 2022 (group size: 3)
Price: $16,900
Costa Rica
In 2019, the brilliant photographer, Amos, lead a scouting trip off the coast of the Eastern-Central Pacific where he had a special opportunity to witness the effects of a natural phenomenon called upwelling — the process of upward movement to the ocean surface of nutrient-rich, deeper, colder waters.
What does this mean? It means that the added nutrients attract bait fish like sardines, lantern and anchovies, which in turn attract predators like super-pods of dolphins, whales, turtles, mobula ray, stingrays, and more. The upwelling event he was fortunate enough to be apart of was first discovered by local fisherman who noticed the abundance of wildlife that congregated offshore when the moon is full.
Following their advice on timing, the team went at the time they recommended and the trip was so amazing and productive that he’s decided to run an expedition in February 2021. The expedition will be six days long, and the event takes place 40 miles offshore. While you’re at sea, you will live aboard the dive vessel the Aquila, which is well-equipped for comfort, diving and cruising in open ocean.
The activity will be a mix of free diving and at times, the use of Pony tanks – we use pony tanks in order to be more flexible ready for action versus the standard large scuba tank, and extend our bottom time underwater
In addition to this expedition, if you have time, we recommend spending an extra four days to see the rain forest. Amos has been all over the world, and he can say that this is one of the most extraordinarily beautiful places he’s seen in all his travels.
Details:
Snorkel, photography and witness super-pods of dolphin and more!
Date: TBA
Price: $6900 per person - Group size: 4
Photography Workshop - For those who are looking to improve their photography, Amos will lead this trip as a photo workshop—sharing his years of experience capturing fantastic images of wild animals in action.
Dominica
Join us in Dominica for a unique opportunity to try for up-close interactions with sperm whales. This trip offers spaces for 4 clients over 10 water days. The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale and also the world’s largest predator.
SDL Expeditions tries to see these creatures all over the world, time and time again, and Dominica offers the most successful interactions. Keep in mind that encounters are not guaranteed — we go out and try the best we can to swim with them. Despite their size, they are shy creatures and getting close can be challenging.
Tour includes:
• Return airport transfers
• Accommodations at Fort Young
• Ten days at sea (weather-permitting)
• Permit fees
* Captain & Guide fees
Tour excludes:
• All flights
• Food & all drinks
• Equipment hire
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities for crew
Details:
Dominica features deep coastal waters that host resident sperm whales. Come photography, snorkel and marvel at these enormous marine mammals.
Dates:
Dec 17-28, 2021
Dec 28, 2021-Jan 8, 2022
Price: $15,300 double occupancy / $17,300 single
Join Big Animals Expedition leader, Amanda Cotton, snorkeling, swimming, free diving and photographing sperm whales! In past experiences, they have observed Dominica’s West Coast hosting approximately five sperm whale families, each with five to nine cetaceans. Females and their calves comprise the majority of these groups, although we occasionally encounter males, who are 45 to 55 feet long; thirty percent larger than the females. Families frequently socialize by playing in the water. Other times, they may remain stationary in a vertical position.
Sometimes the pod swims slowly allowing us to fin with them, while other times their speed picks up. We always follow them at a safe distance until they abruptly stop, waiting for us to catch up.
What’s Included:
5 days of searching for and swimming with sperm whales
Whale swimming permit
All taxes
Lunch
Expedition leader
What’s Excluded:
International and domestic flights
Alcohol, soft drinks (soda), and meals except for lunch
Hotel accommodations - we recommend the Fort Young Hotel
Rental gear
Additional activities
Unused part of the itinerary
Personal charges such as laundry, fishing, or telecommunication charges
Gratuities
Details:
Sperm whale encounters on a grand scale off Dominica. Come away with incredible photography and mind-blowing moments. Trip leader: the amazong Amanda Cotton
Date:
Oct 20-26, 2021
Oct 25-31, 2021
Dec 25-31, 2021
Dec 31-, 2021-Jan 6, 2022
Oct 17-23, 2022
Oct 22-28, 2022
Rates:
$9600 (maximum group size 4!)
Ecuador & the Galapagos
Trips to Galapagos usually force you to choose between land and sea, but if you join Amos on this unique Big Animals expedition to one of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Earth, then you will get to experience the best of both worlds. We make this possible for you through a strong collaborative relationship with the most knowledgeable team on the islands guided by the steady and innovative leadership of the incomparable Fiddi Angermeyer. His family members were some of the first colonizers of the islands, and he has lived on Galapagos his entire life. There is no one more intimately familiar with these islands both topside and underwater than Fiddi, and he will be accompanying us to make sure we have a truly epic voyage on board the Passion for 2 weeks!
This archipelago and its many volcanic islands traversing both sides of the equator are all impacted by three powerful and opposing currents creating the unique and wondrous laboratory of life both on land and underwater that is Galapagos. The islands north of the equator are affected by the warm Panama Current, the islands below it are shaped by the cold Humboldt Current arriving from Antarctica, and the western islands feel the effects of the Western Pacific Current.
Who is Amos? Amos Nachoum is both a master of photographing big animal behavior while guiding the small groups of adventurers who accompany him on his expeditions. He free dives with blue whales off the Eastern Pacific, scuba dives in the Okavango delta with crocodiles and goes face to face with the great white shark. One of only five people ever to swim and photograph polar bears underwater… More people were on the moon (12). Since 1980, he has taken over 5,000 people to explore every significant body of water (and land too) from the North Pole to Antarctica. Joining Amos is a life changing experience!
Details:
Dive, hike and photograph the Galapagos for 2 weeks!
Expedition Leaders: Amos Nachoum
Aug 20-Sep 5, 2022
Sep 17-Oct 3, 2022
Aug 12-27, 2023
Prices: $18,900 (Stateroom) / $21,900 (Sutie)
Special Permits on board: Luxury Yacht: Passion
Skippered by the legend: Fiddi Angermeyer
Land exploration
Diving, including Wolf/ Darwin
13 days at sea
10 guests per trip
French Polynesia
Itinerary:
Arrival Day: We meet you at Moorea airport or Ferry Terminal | transfer to the Lodge (check-in after 1.00pm)
Your Tour Briefing is at 6.30pm, followed by the Welcome dinner on the verandah at Moorea Beach Lodge at 7.00pm
Day 1: Breakfast | pickup by whale swim boat from the beach | boat briefing | how to swim with whales training (so they don’t swim off) | out with the whales (4 – 4.5 hours) | lots of fun | return to the lodge | free evening.
Day 2 – 8: Breakfast | pickup by whale swim boat from the beach | out with the whales (4 – 4.5 hours) |lots of fun | return to beach | Farewell dinner at Moorea Beach Lodge on last night. (4 evening meals at the Lodge are included in the tour package)
Day 9: Breakfast | End of tour | transfer to the airport or ferry terminal.
Your Base
A little corner of paradise along a white sandy beach facing the turquoise lagoon surrounded by a tropical garden, the Moorea Beach Lodge is located on the West side of Moorea Island. The peacefulness of the Lodge and its beauty will be appreciated by all. All the Bungalows (4 Beach Bungalows & 6 Garden Bungalows (photo right) have air conditioning, a Queen size bed, a sofa witch converts into 2 single beds (except for the Honeymoon Bungalow- if available on request), a ceiling fan, a small refrigerator with tea and coffee facilities, a wardrobe, a personal safe, a bathroom with shower and a private deck. Every bungalow comes with a private bathroom with free toiletries. Moorea Beach Lodge also includes a sun terrace. Guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar. The property has a private beach area and free use of bicycles is available.
Ocean side, exploration of the lagoon can be done under water and above, or in the deep blue with Moorea Fun Dive diving center, directly accessible from the beach. Mountain side , stroll along on a bicycle or on foot, explore the numerous mountain tracks, and at the end of the day, enjoy the sunset. Half a dozen restaurants and snacks are only a few minutes walk from the Lodge.
Details:
Whale Swim Adventures offer personally escorted, small whale swimming group tours in dreamy Moorea. This island is known as the ‘humpback whale nursery’ and has the most humpback whales in the area during the season in French Polynesia. Humpbacks are seen around other islands, but they are only passing through.
This all inclusive packages has NO hidden costs, include beach-side & garden Tahitian-style thatched-bungalow accommodation, fresh French-Tahitian and international cuisine prepared by our private chef, swim with whales (and other amazing marine-life), some leisure time & airport transfers. After 21 years operating our Tonga whale swim tours in Vava’u – we began new tours to swimming with humpbacks in Tahiti in 2016 and guests are coming back there again, as they love it so much!
2021 Dates:
9 Night Trips / 8 days with whales
Sep 1-10, 2021
Sep 28-Oct 7, 2021
Rates: from $4775 Garden Bungalow / Beach $4850
7 Night Trips / 6 days with whales
Aug 16-23, 2021
Aug 24-31, 2021
Sep 11-18, 2021
Sep 20-27, 2021
Oct 9-16, 2021
Oct 16-23, 2021
Oct 24-31, 2021
Rates: from $3925 Garden Bungalow / Beach $4125
Indonesia
Day 1: Maumere
After boarding Adelaar and your welcome drink you will have time to settle in, get to know the boat, crew and fellow passengers, relax and enjoy your first day of living aboard Adelaar.
Day 2: North Flores
The sloping reefs, walls and underwater crevasses of the islands to the north of Flores provide ideal conditions for a first day of diving. Typically, clear water, hardly any current and colourful reefs set the tone for the rest of the trip. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 3: Lembata
After a morning spent hunting for macro treasures like rhinopias, different species of ghostpipe fish or mimic octopus that inhabit the clean patch reefs and sea grass beds of Lewoleba bay, we spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent walls and overhangs of Bacatan. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 4: Pura
The Straight of Pantar with the island Pura nested in between Alor and Pantar is a fascinating diver’s playground. We discover a unique site that is covered to large parts in sheer endless carpets of anemones, and which regularly attracts pelagic visitors. The next highlight is a steep slope that is virtually exploding in colours of pristine soft coral growth. After lunch we visit a site that consists of a mini wall and a patch reef, where we may stumble again over some rhinopias. Before the night dive, local kids will show us around their village. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 5: Komba
Komba is a unique place. This island is actually the tip of Batu Tara, a volcano rising from the depth, piercing the blue waters of the Flores Sea. Diving the stark underwater landscape on the flanks of this occasionally still visibly and audibly active volcano is unique. The dark grey substrate gives a beautiful contrast to the colours of the hard and soft coral formations and big barrel sponges towering on top of the underwater ridges. Its remote location, alone in the middle of the sea, typically guarantees excellent visibility and may attract pelagic predators. After the dives Adelaar sets her sails to head toward the Banda Sea in style. (2 day dives)
Day 6: Kaledupa
Our first day in what Cousteau called a ‘Diving Nirvana’! We’ll start with an iconic Wakatobi site on the North East of Karang Kaledupa, a seemingly endless maze of submerged seamounts all interconnected by ridges, shallow enough to be completely covered in pristine corals. In the afternoon we do some gentle drift diving on the entrance of one of the typical Wakatobi atolls – usually very rich in fish life and there is also a chance to spot the odd eagle ray or shark in the clear blue water. In the late afternoon we head over to the world renowned Wakatobi resort for some coffee and their famous home made gelato. (3 day dives)
Day 7: Tomia
The island Tomia, the ‘To’ part of WakaTObi, is the heart of the national park, and its reefs form the epicentre in terms of Wakatobi’s celebrated marine biodiversity. Today’s dives take us on exposed seamounts surrounded by myriads of fish, great hard coral ridges that are studded with sea fans that are home to different species of pygmy seahorses and gorgeous shallow coral gardens. The night dive takes place on a site that is haven to critters such as frog fish, cephalopods and rare crustaceans. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 8: Runduma
The islands and atolls around Runduma are in the far North of Wakatobi national park. Their remoteness adds to their appeal, as do the schools of fish living on those rarely visited reefs. The sites vary between large seamounts with patrols of giant barracudas, over fringing sloping reefs with giant groupers ad schools of different species of snappers and mazes of completely submerged reef systems that are frequented by eagle rays and pelagic species. (3 day dives)
Day 9: Pasarwajo
The big bay of Pasarwajo in the South East of Buton island is a gem in the treasure that is Indonesian muck or macro diving. Its gentle rubble slopes and sea grass meadows of beaches and sites underneath pillars of old piers give shelter to weird and wonderful critters such as zebra crabs, harlequin shrimps, thorny seahorses, flying gurnards, wonderpus and other cephalopods, amongst others the very rare mototi octopus. At dusk there is an opportunity to observe the mating ritual of bigger than average mandarin fish that are more photographer-friendly than in other places. (3 day dives, 1 dusk dive)
Day 10: Buton
A couple of hours south of Pasarwajo, beneath the impressive cliffs of South east Buton, lie the two final dive sites of the trip. Before falling steeply deep in the clear abyss, the underwater landscape spoils us with large overhang and terraces. Due to its ocean facing positions surprise encounters with migrating bigger denizens of the deep are always possible here. After the last dive we sail around the southern tip of Buton to our final destination, the harbour town of Bau Bau. There we have a festive goodbye dinner. (2 day dives)
Day 11: Bau Bau
After a last delicious breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and disembark – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
Details:
Cousteau’s Nirvana New!
Apr 1-11, 2023 - Maumere, Wakatobi, Bau Bau
Apr 14-24, 2023 - Bau Bau, Wakatobi, Maumere
Cabin berths from $5695
Wakatobi archipelago lies to the southeast of Sulawesi. Flat islands, palm trees and white beaches make the surface a paradise on earth. Yet, it is the underwater world that the diver and explorer J.Y. Cousteau found fascinating. So amazed by the diversity of Wakatobi's reefs, he refers to it in his travelogue as "the finest diving in the world". This itinerary is also beginner-friendly when it comes to diving!
Kenya
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Plan to arrive at Naboisho for lunch or early afternoon to settle into your tents and meet your hosts and fellow Asilia Adventurers. After afternoon tea and armed with your camera, you will head out for your first game drive in an open-sided four-wheel drive vehicle before returning for a welcome dinner. Overnight: Naboisho
Day 2: Tuck into a hearty breakfast in camp before traversing the Mara to Lemek Conservancy to visit the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) headquarters. Your morning will be spent with real-life conservation heroes, learning about their anti-poaching units, mitigating human-wildlife conflict in villages and their research and collaring of the Greater Mara’s elephants. This is a humbling and fascinating insight into the challenging and never-ending work to conserve one of Africa’s iconic species. After a camp-packed picnic lunch, the group will travel to the Ol Chorro Rhino Sanctuary, where you will have the rare treat of walking with their two resident white rhinos. These endangered modern-day dinosaurs are kept safe by rangers and you will gain an awareness of the challenges they face in protecting them and hear the concerns they have for the future of this precious species. On returning to camp, freshen up and then with an ice cold beverage in hand, the focus on rhinos continues with an engaging talk from Lara on her speciality, the black rhino. Before dinner is served, George will also take the team through camera trap deployment in preparation for the following day’s activity. Overnight: Naboisho.
Day 3: Today the photographic safari begins in earnest. Set off early from camp to have the benefit of the glorious dawn light and throughout the morning, locations will be selected and marked for the camera traps, in the hopes of capturing some exciting species caught unaware. Naboisho is known for its big cats in big numbers and is believed to have one of the highest lion densities in Africa, strong numbers of cheetah and is home to more than 220 recorded bird species — so there will be plenty to photograph. After lunch back in camp, guests are free to use the camp classroom to start editing images or they can relax by the pool and catch forty winks. The game drive in the afternoon will remain focused on photography, however, threaded through the drive, Lara will tease some of the information you would have learned the day before, at the Mara Elephant Project, to help you identify the elephants you meet on your safari. Overnight: Naboisho
Day 4: Wake up to the dawn chorus and your tea or coffee brought to your tent before setting out for another day of adventures. The game drive in the morning will continue with a photographic aim before returning to camp for a quick lunch and then heading to The Maa Trust, a thriving nonprofit organization working toward a harmonious balance between conservation and sustainable human development in the Masai Mara. The first Mara Conservancy was established in 2005 and now forms part of a collection of 15 separate conservancies that surround the Reserve. This land is owned by over 14,500 Maasai, who lease concessions to tourism partners, which offers the local community consistent income while conserving the land and wildlife. The revenue generated is believed to support 100,000 people within the Greater Mara Region. This afternoon, you will have the great pleasure to sit down with these ladies and learn the traditional craft of beading. While designing and threading your own beaded camera strap, you will learn about the meaning of the beads, hear the personal narratives of these
incredible women and the other fantastic projects the Trust implements such as youth empowerment programs, vocational training, beekeeping and honey production, brickmaking, Female Genital Mutilations (FGM) education, healthcare, water and sanitation. If that wasn’t enough, you will return to Naboisho and the warmth of the campfire to meet a member of the Kenyan Wildlife Trust (KWT) to learn about their flagship project the Mara Predator Conservation Program (MPCP). Over snacks and drinks, gain an understanding of the challenges and successes of their conservation and community projects; including how to identify big cats, understanding the purposes of collaring lions, how they use the data as well as the success in engaging primary schools with Wildlife Clubs alongside Asilia’s own Twende Porini. Overnight: Naboisho
Day 5: To put what you have learnt into practice, this morning you will set out early to meet the Lion Ambassadors of the Mara. With approximately 500 lions concentrated in a relatively
small area covering 2,572 km2 of protected lands, the Mara has high human and livestock densities residing in the surrounding unprotected community lands. A central challenge is ensuring coexistence between lions and people while implementing impactful conservation strategies at a meaningful scale. MPCP chose a brigade of 10 lion ambassadors to provide a crucial link to the communities and ensure human-lion conflict and the resulting retaliatory killings and persecution of lions is halted in its tracks. This morning you will join an ambassador on their daily patrol, walking for approximately 3 hours you will learn first-hand what it’s like to be on the frontline of conservation and understand their personal motivations for living and breathing such a sensitive and dangerous job. After an exhilarating morning, no one will blame you for that extra beer at lunch and a snooze on your daybed but of course, you are also welcome to spend time in the classroom editing images and preparing your memory cards for the next activity. Leaving later in the afternoon will ensure you have plenty of time to capture the long shadows and the cats coming out to play, using your newly honed lion identification skills. After a classic Mara sundowner under a flat-topped acacia, the torches will come out and, with eyes peeled for nocturnal animals, your night drive will begin, before a late dinner back at camp.
Day 6: After a full itinerary, the last day is an easy one, allowing the group to head out on a fun game drive, putting into practice everything you’ve learned over the last five days, as well as collecting the camera traps deployed earlier in the week. Following lunch back at camp, there will be a final editing session including looking through what the traps have captured and no doubt having a laugh or two! Returning from the final game drive, a farewell BBQ will be enjoyed by the candlelit pool with a chance to share stories, the best shots of the week and look up at a sky full of stars. Overnight: Naboisho
Day 7: A relaxed morning and breakfast at camp before you say your goodbyes to the camp team, George and Lara and head off to your next adventure.
Details:
Conservation, Communities & Cameras
Lead by: George Benjamin and Lara Jackson
Nov 15-21, 2021
$3000 per person (group size 4-10)
This trip with a difference is a collaboration between wildlife photographer George Benjamin, conservation biologist Lara Jackson and Asilia Africa, and was created to add a deeper dimension to a classic photographic safari. Spend a week combining the joy of safari, an education in photography and a series of insightful and meaningful Positive Impact experiences in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya. This conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve, beautifully showcases how wildlife conservation and community empowerment can go hand in hand with tourism and, over the course of the week, you will visit various initiatives to learn about this first-hand.
Mexico
There is a legendary lagoon on the Pacific coast of Baja Mexico that is spoken of in hushed whispers, where gray whales finish an 11,000 mile migration from the Bering Sea and Alaska to mate and calve each year. The gray whales here are uniquely curious and interactive, allowing for close-up, intimate encounters with these gentle giants and their newborn calves.
This is San Ignacio Lagoon, one of only 4 mating and birthing lagoons in the world, with the highest concentration of sociable whales, and the only lagoon still untouched by human development. With round-trip private charter flights from Cabo San Lucas, it has never been easier to arrive at the lagoon. With three nights and four days of fully catered camp and up to nine gray whale encounter trips (90 mins each).
Enjoy this wonderful experience that will give you lifetime memories! Your adventure starts with an 8 am 2 hour charter flight from Cabo San Lucas to the Lagoon. The airstrip is located right at our beach camp and we will be waiting with your glass of champagne and ready to whisk you straight out for your first whale watching encounter. Returning to Cabo 1:30 pm. after a last morning of whale watching.
Details:
3 nights Glamping with 4 days of whale encounters!
Season Opener Special - 50% off
Jan 22-25, 2022 - $1197.50
Jan 23-26, 2022 - $1497.50 (premium tents)
Feb 13-16, 2022 - $2995 (premium tents - normal pricing)
Feb 15-18, 2022 - $2395
* Contact us for more trips to see the gray whales!
Three times a year, we offer a trip that covers all of Baja California. Choose your adventure beginning in Puerto Peñasco and ending in San Jose del Cabo or vise versa.
Experience what very few people have. A journey where there are no roads, very few people and almost no boats. The stars at night are so close that you can reach out and are surprised that you cannot touch them. At night you hear something splashing. It could be anything. Dolphins, marlin, a schools of bonitos? Then you hear the huge sound of blowing and water spouting. It's a whale! You can't see him but he sounds big. At a distance you hear the sea lions and pelicans. What a splendid way to end a magnificent day.
During the day we move from one island to the next , diving 3 to 4 times daily. If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dingy available to take you to shore.
Exploring one island to the next is a magical experience. One that will linger in your memory for years and years to come. The Sea of Cortez remains a secret oasis where the desert meets the sea.
ACTIVITIES: Diving, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and explore small towns and missions.
THINGS TO SEE: Jacques Cousteau and John Stienbeck saw the magic that the Sea of Cortez has to offer. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the worlds aquarium. John Stienbeck wrote "The Log of the Sea of Cortez" a journey through a remote and beautiful corner of the world, a diary filled with the daily excitements and triumphs of skillful and energetic men. It is also an invitation to see the world anew from a fresh vantage point and perhaps with a broader and more understanding spirit.
The bio-diversity between the Northern and Southern Sea of Cortez is incredible. Diving the entire Baja is spectacular. The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dingys or snorkeling is fantastic.
Dolphins, sea lions, pilot whales, humpback whale, blue fin whales, orca and sperm whales. Flying mantas, blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds and the endemic yellow footed gulls.
Although the conditions in the Sea of Cortez are mostly calm, there are times that the sea is rough. Please be prepared for this type of situation. There are several over the counter remedies that can help you in case we are faced with rough seas during your trip. COME ON THIS TRIP AS A CURIOUS DIVER AND LEAVE AN EXPLORER!
Details:
Join Kirsten to explore the beauty of Baja!
Date: Sep 16-28, 2023
Price: $4695
Amos Nachoum is a master of both photographing big animal behaviors and guiding the small groups of adventurers who accompany him on his expeditions. He free dives with blue whales off the Eastern Pacific, scuba dives in the Okavango delta with crocodiles and goes face to face with the great white shark. One of only five people ever to swim and photograph polar bears underwater…More people were on the moon (12). Since 1980, he has taken over 5,000 people to explore every significant body of water (and land too) from the North Pole to Antarctica. The guy is a legend and a thrill to travel with!
Details:
Autumn in Baja, Mexico is the time to see the colorful and speedy Striped Marlins hunting. For many years the marlin were not seen much in this area, reaching a peak six years ago when the mackerel stock was almost entirely fished out. Then in 2019 two things happened to bring the marlin back. The mackerel levels recovered and an ocean current called an upwelling brought them back to Baja, along with all other ocean predators that feed on them. The returned in great numbers and we were lucky to have many great days out in the water enjoying their company.
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Dates:
Oct 23-Nov 1, 2021
Nov 1-10, 2021
Price:
$8400 PER PERSON
6 DAYS SNORKELING
WATER TEMPERATURE
80 – 82°F (26 – 28°C)
UNDERWATER VISIBILITY
80 – 100 feet (25 – 30 meters)
Pelagic Safaris has been exploring Cabo San Lucas for 3 years now and has encountered and interacted with many different shark species, blue whales, humpback whales, orcas, thousands of dolphins and mobula rays. Now, they are are going northwest to Bahía Magdalena (Mag Bay) to look for the über-fast, amazing and elusive striped marlin. The huge amount of sardines and bait fish that congregate off the coast, along with the cold currents, make way for a feeding frenzy that cannot be seen anywhere else.
Puerto San Carlos, the town where the group will be staying, has been a shark-fishing village for many years. Now, with increasing interest in whale watching and open ocean eco-tourism, some families of fishermen are currently focusing on doing these ecotours so that people can interact with sharks and other species in their natural habitat.
We start the day with a light breakfast and then set out early out into the open ocean. We will be looking for the majestic frigate birds that are feeding on sardine and mackerel as the marlin corral them into big bait balls. As soon as we find a bait-ball we will jump right in. It’s good to be a strong swimmer/snorkeler. Out of Mag Bay, we are very likely to find the marlin as well as plenty of other amazing pelagic species around. It is possible to see dolphins, sharks, and sea lions feeding on the same bait balls. Whales and even orcas are often spotted in the area. The place is also a bird-watching paradise, including the most southern population of bald eagles.
Details:
The wild coast of Baja is full of life all year round and never ceases to amaze us with the seasonal migrations that take place within these major feeding grounds. Each November, join the Pelagic Safari in Magdalena Bay for this special 5 night expedition to look for the über-fast, amazing, and elusive striped marlin.
2021 DATES
Nov 10-14, 2021
Nov 17-21, 2021
Nov 24-28, 2021
Price: $2500 per person / $12000 per group (max 6 trip members) + tax
Called "The World's Aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez provides a world-class international dive experience with a domestic flight. Simply fly to Phoenix, Arizona, and, in just a few hours, you are boarding the boat in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Encounter large and small whale species, snorkel with whale sharks, dive with playful sea lions, and see countless eels, octopus, fish, and jumping mobula rays. It's a macro photographer's dream with nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and sea horses.
Between dives, you can hike and explore remote uninhabited islets and at night you can gaze at the Milky Way. You will dine on incredible cuisine and enjoy the friendly service that has made us famous.
Details:
The Sea of Cortez is a breathtaking destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and exploration. Give us one week and we will create a lifetime of memories while forging new friendships aboard Rocio del Mar and Quino el Guardian.
Rocio del Mar
2022 TBA
Quino el Guardian
2022 TBA
Norway
We have chartered a perfect, small vessel for an intimate and personal Svalbard experience. We take only 15 people and have 3 large zodiacs which leaves much space for each passenger and their photography gear. We have done this expedition many times and you will find that only after 2 days we have all become like a big family and enjoy each others company during the meals or presentations and enthusiasm when we spot a polar bear.
The boarding of the zodiacs takes only a few minutes so that we don’t miss out on a good polar bear sighting when we need to get closer to shore. Bigger ships don’t have this flexibility. They also don’t have the freedom to change their route or itinerary as we do. We go where the wildlife is and once found we stay as long as we want.
We have chosen this time of the year because there is a great chance for an abundance of pack and fjord ice which means many seals and hopefully polar bears. Our main goal during this expedition is to find polar bears. We will also see walrus, Svalbard reindeer, different seal species and with luck whales and Arctic Fox. Not to forget the giant cliffs with thousands of breeding Arctic birds.
After spending one night in Longyearbyen’s famous and cosy Basecamp Spitsbergen, you can choose to join us either on a dog mushing or snowmobile tour across the pristine white winter landscape. With some luck, we might see Svalbard reindeer or Arctic fox which at this time is still carrying its white winter coat.
The next morning we offer the same options for just half a day. If you prefer you can also take a leisurely walk in the small town of Longyearbyen and try out the coffee shops and restaurants or check out the local shops.
Around 16:00 we will board the M/s Freya and start our 8 day Arctic adventure cruise. You will find this small ship very comfortable and the crew very friendly. The captain and crew are highly experienced and have travelled these arctic waters for many years.
Because we specialize in exclusive small group travel (14 passengers maximum on the M/S Freya), we have the freedom and extra flexibility on our Svalbard expedition that may not be enjoyed with larger groups. We can linger as long as we like at wildlife sightings. We have time to capture the perfect light while enjoying or photographing the majestic landscapes. We will look for calving glaciers and stunning icy landscapes during our expedition.
Details:
Experience one of the last true and unspoiled wildernesses on earth where not humans but nature still dominates. See polar bears, walruses, whales, seals, giant bird cliffs and spectacular glaciers!
Date: Apr 29-May 9, 2022
Price: from $9975 (group size: 15)
South Africa
The Sardine Run is an amazing experience — there is nothing quite like it. Most of the Sardine Run is done on snorkel; only when we find a static bait ball do we get in the water with scuba. Seeing an iconic sardine bait ball in crystal-clear conditions with dolphins, sharks, whales and sea birds in a feeding frenzy is, in fact, quite rare. Film crews spend weeks out at sea over the course of a few years in search of the perfect bait ball to get the footage regularly seen on television. Joining our experienced team ensures that you have the best chance of experiencing this remarkable phenomenon.
Details:
Join our tour organizer Nadia Aly and experience the exhilarating Sardine Run on the Wild Coast of South Africa, interacting with dolphins, whales, seals, penguins, sharks and birds chasing the Biggest Shoal on earth. We provide a unique Sardine Run experience by focusing on small groups of only 5 clients per boat, working with very experienced skippers and guides, and providing best accommodation in Port St. Johns; all in an effort to create the very best Sardine Run tour we can.
Dates:
2022 TBA
