Dominica Sperm Whale Swimming Trips

18 to 26 May 2025 – 3 spots left
6 days on the water

25 May to 02 June 2025 – 5 spots left
6 days on the water

29 Nov to 07 Dec 2025 – 1 spot left
6 days on the water

06 Dec to 14 Dec 2025 – 4 spots left
6 days on the water

13 Dec to 21 Dec 2025 – 4 spots left
6 days on the water

Accommodation Options

Jungle Bay Resort 2025

• Double/twin occupancy with full breakfast: $5,740 USD per person
• Single occupancy with full breakfast: $6,700 USD

Soufriere Guest House or Rosehill Heights 2025

• Double/twin occupancy self-catering: $4,995 USD per person
• Single occupancy self-catering: $5,300 USD

Why Choose Indigo Safaris for Sperm Whale Trips?

Experience

Indigo Safaris has been operating in Dominica since 2013. The Managing Director and founder has led 23 of these trips, accompanied by a local marine biologist guide with over 20 years of experience. Both guides are published underwater photographers. The captain is a licensed boat captain with 25 years of sperm whale experience, and an experienced first mate is also on board. The trips are designed for six clients per excursion.

Value for Money

Indigo Safaris prides itself on providing trips that are considered the best value for money by past clients.

Giving Back

Each year, Indigo Safaris donates generously to the Soufriere/Scott’s Head Marine Reserve to support the preservation of the island’s best dive sites and educate locals about their marine environment. They also raise funds for local sports initiatives, providing equipment for swimming lessons and cricket, and are currently working on rehabilitating the local basketball court.

Location

Following the opening of the jetty at Soufriere in 2021, Indigo Safaris relocated its base to the south of the island. The village of Soufriere offers a vibrant yet peaceful atmosphere, contrasting the hustle of Roseau. Guests can choose from various local eateries and enjoy self-catering options. The area features a beach with a hot spring, numerous hot springs within walking distance, and is the starting point for the island-long Waitukubuli Trail. It also has an excellent dive center, sea kayaking school, and freediving school, all within a friendly community that feels safe at all hours.

About the Trips

During encounters, only three participants and a guide are permitted in the water at a time, necessitating rotations between two groups. Occasionally, multiple encounters occur simultaneously. Participants should be able to exit a swimming pool without using steps or ladders, as reboarding the boat quickly may be necessary.

Indigo Safaris utilizes the beautiful Jungle Bay Resort, overlooking Soufriere and Scotts Head, as well as budget-friendly self-catering accommodations at Soufriere Guesthouse and Rosehill Apartments, all about 1 km from the seafront and Bubble Beach natural spa. While Rosehill and Soufriere Guest House do not have air conditioning, their location and in-room fans often make it unnecessary. The accommodations include well-equipped kitchens, dining areas, lounges, and outdoor spaces for relaxation. Transfers can be arranged for $7 per person per day for those who prefer it.

Each week includes six days on the ocean with a local expert whale guide and accredited skipper, with departures from 8 AM to around 2 PM.

Permits for the trips are becoming increasingly difficult to secure, making this a rare opportunity to photograph these giants at an unbeatable price. The 8-night trips include fees, permits, breakfasts for Jungle Bay clients, group airport transfers, rotis for lunch, and transportation for one day’s land tour.

The months of November and December are particularly favorable for trips, as the weather is pleasantly warm at around 29°C, with sea temperatures around 28°C and low rainfall. Adult male whales are more frequently sighted during this time, and social interactions among groups are often observed.

May is also an excellent month for whale watching and weather. The absence of males typically means family units come closer to shore. With cruise ship season over, the ocean becomes less crowded, providing optimal conditions for encounters. This period is also characterized by flat and dry weather.

Booking

Due to the requirement of submitting participants’ names for permits, a 50% non-refundable deposit is necessary to secure a spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip’s start. Payment can be made via bank transfer, and arrangements can be made for payments in Euros or GBP. If the island closes its borders, the trip will be rescheduled.

Daily boarding begins at 8:00 AM, with return times varying based on the day’s events. If good whale activity occurs early, they may return earlier to avoid disturbing the whales. If the whales exhibit avoidance behavior, the team will leave them alone and seek out others.

Each morning, the crew will use underwater listening devices to locate whale families. Once a unit is approached, three participants will enter the water and move slowly toward the whales. Interaction time can last from 30 seconds to 15 minutes, depending on the whales’ behavior. Participants will rotate in the water to ensure everyone has the chance to experience the encounter.

Interactions can take place up to eight miles offshore, and conditions may vary from calm to choppy. Participants should be prepared for extended periods on the boat while waiting for encounters and should also be ready to swim to approach and follow the whales.

Packed lunches can be arranged from either the hotel restaurant or local eateries, with cold water provided on board. Water temperatures will be in the high 20s, and since participants will be moving a lot in the water, wetsuits are not required.

The Program

• Day 1: Arrive at Melville Hall airport, transfer to Soufriere
• Day 2: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 3: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 4: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 5: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 6: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 7: Sperm whale encounters
• Day 8: Island tour
• Day 9: Return to the airport

Pre- and Post-Trip Extensions

Indigo Safaris can arrange extensions for SCUBA diving or hiking, as they are well-acquainted with the island.

About Sperm Whales

Sperm whales form strong lifelong bonds, babysitting for one another and passing down family traditions. They develop a communal dialect and exhibit varied lifestyles similar to human cultures. Off Dominica, sperm whales primarily consist of groups of females and their dependent calves, which live together in matrilineal units. Young males typically leave their families in their early teens to roam the open ocean.

Over 20 different whale families have been identified in Dominica’s waters, with approximately ten regularly observed. Research indicates that these families have inhabited the region since at least 1984. Sperm whales can live beyond 70 years, allowing them to encounter numerous other whales throughout their lives. This longevity suggests that family members can remember one another despite long separations.

For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:

Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett