Caribbean, Dominican Republic

Whales of the Dominican Republic πŸ‡©πŸ‡΄

Silver Banks Magic
Travel details
Available spaces

Fully Booked

Trip duration

7 nights

Travel dates

25 March, 2028 - 01 April, 2028

Price per person

5.095 $ per person

Trip Highlights

Humpback whales πŸ‹ Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic is one of only a handful of places in the world where you are allowed to swim with one of our ocean's most interactive and fascinating whale species: humpback whales. Our encounters here have been simply spectacular: intimate, wild and respectful.

Small Group Encounter Nothing worse than big groups encircling wild animals. That's why Sea Hunter operates with limited guest numbers, maximizing water time and minimizing disturbance. This creates calmer whales, safer snorkeling, and a far more personal, premium experience. Snorkelling only!

Unknown territory πŸŒ… Silver Bank lies far offshore, away from mass tourism. The result is unspoiled waters, high visibility, and a true expedition feelβ€”an experience designed for serious nature lovers, not cruise-ship crowds.

Trip description

Caribbean Whale Wonders

The Dominican Republic offers more than beaches and resorts. Offshore, the ocean opens into remote and protected waters that few people ever see. Silver Bank is one of those places, a shallow marine plateau far from the coast, known for its clear water and minimal human impact.

Every winter, humpback whales gather here to mate, give birth, and rest before continuing their migration. Being in the water with them is calm and controlled, guided by strict rules that put the animals first. There is no chasing or touching, only floating, observing, and letting the whales decide how close they want to be.

Diving with whales at Silver Bank is not about spectacle. It is quiet, patient, and often subtle. Sometimes it is a distant silhouette, sometimes a curious whale passes close by, but it is always an honest encounter with wildlife in its natural environment.

Conscious Breath Adventures
Nights

7

Price per person

5.095 $

DATE START

25 March 2028

DATE END

01 April 2028

Your home away from home on the Silver Bank is the M/V Sea Hunter. She is a superbly stable and robust craft. In her former life she was a commercial dive-support vessel built to serve the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Sea Hunter combines the functionality, and powerful machinery of a work boat with the comfortable interior of a modern yacht. She has 115 feet of flexible capacity, specifically designed and built for long-range expeditions.

Sea Hunter offers 10 guest cabins with private baths, providing live-aboard comfort for up to 20 passengers.

This spacious boat is everything a serious diver or photographer could wish for. Features include individual gear storage, private camera/strobe storage shelves with 110 & 220-volt AC power, zero-speed stabilizers and even a private washer and dryer for your towels and bathing suits. Her roominess and user-friendliness will introduce you to a new level of live-aboard comfort.

Included

  • 7 nights accommodations aboard
  • 5 days on the Silver Bank with up to four and one half (4.5) days of tender time to look for whales (up to nine tender excursions), weather permitting as per Sanctuary rules.
  • Three meals a day aboard the vessel, except for the last (Friday) night, which will be ashore.
  • Morning and afternoon snack.
  • All beverages, including carbonated, non-carbonated, and alcoholic (a limited selection of beer (local) and wine) are provided
  • Hard alcoholic beverages will not be provided, but may be brought on board the vessel if desired

Not Included

  • Airfare and any airfare-related expenses
  • Surcharge Deluxe Cabin $100 per person
  • Surcharge Master Cabin $400 per person
  • Tourist Card required upon arrival in the Dominican Republic
  • Transfers to/from or between airports, hotels, vessels, bus stations, or tours; all ground transportation
  • Sanctuary & Port Fees (currently $700 per person; subject to change)
  • Insurance Surcharge (currently $250 per person; subject to change)
  • Any Fuel Surcharges (currently estimated at $150 per person; subject to change)
  • Gratuity for the crew (10% of fare suggested)
  • Additional permit fees for professional photography or videography
Day-by-day program
Boarding the Sea Hunter is scheduled today for 5 pm. Taxitransfer to the boat if not arranged by us from your Stopover-Hotel. 5:00 PM: Boarding at Ocean World Marina 6:00 PM: Safety briefing 7:00 PM: Welcome dinner 11:00 PM: Departure for Silver Bank (overnight crossing)

TRIP LEADER

Your Trip Leaders

Marcel Wilpernig & Peter LΓΆseke

BTM Travel Founder - BTM Underwater Videographer

Our founder and main underwater videographer, together on a boat: good spirits, bad jokes, memories for a lifetime.

We are Behind the Mask Travel.

We offer individual tailor-made dive travel and organised group travel to the finest dive spots in the world.