Jeder hat sie schon einmal gehört – die Gesänge eines Wals. Beruhigend, mystisch und faszinierend. Eine der zutraulichsten Walarten, die Dwarf Minke Whales, kann man in Down Under – was weltweit einzigartig ist – hautnah erleben. Es ist nur wenigen vergönnt, dieser charismatischen Spezies, die so sehr die Nähe der Menschen sucht und schätzt, so nah zu sein. Unbeschreiblich, das zu erleben – in einer Welt, in der Tiere durch die Ausbreitung der Zivilisation eher verschreckt und scheu sind.
What is included?
- All linen, including two towels per person We recommend you bring an additional deck towel if possible.
- Superb meals – freshly prepared onboard using local produce.
- Delicious snacks after every dive
- Complimentary tea, coffee, Milo, water, cordial, biscuits and fresh fruit are available 24 hours a day
- Tanks, weights & Safety Kits (safety sausage, whistle, cylume stick)
- Optional guided dive (subject to instructor/divemaster availability)
- Interesting & educational presentations on marine life biology, ecology, conservation & research.
Please note: Itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted at any time due to weather conditions, tide and at the discretion of the skipper.
Extra Costs (payable onboard)
- an Environmental Management Charge ($16.50 per person) collected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
- dive gear hire
- BYO beer, wine. Soft drinks available on board
- merchandise*** Some trips may include low level scenic one way flights to or from
Cairns – Lizard Island for an additional fee of Approx AUD $270.00
Experience the profound sense of connection that comes from looking into the eye of another species…
Dwarf Minke Whale Expeditions run for 6 weeks each June/July and all encounters take place on the whale’s terms. Learn about their biology, behaviour and life history through onboard lectures by marine biologists and scientists. Guests will be given the opportunity to assist the ongoing research by helping to identify individual whales and be involved in behavioural observations. This is truly one of the most unique under water experiences available (and don’t forget that it is accompanied with magnificent diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef!)
Sample itinerary:
TRIP BEGINS: Day 1: (4:30 – 5:30pm)
Board your vessel at Pier 319 (behind St Mary’s By the Sea church), Port Douglas. Meet your crew, organize/hire dive gear and complete paperwork. Enjoy a meal in town with fellow guests and return to the boat at 8:00 PM for a safety and minke whale briefing. Depart around 9:00 PM. Steam overnight and awake at your first dive/snorkel site.
DAY 2:
Wake up to the Ribbon Reefs stretching out before you. Enjoy a light breakfast before the first dive/snorkel, followed by a hot cooked meal. This will be accompanied by an in-depth briefing on swim-with-whale guide-lines. Afterwards, travel to your next destination, searching for whales whilst underway. If whales are eager to interact, don your wetsuit and enter the water, ready for the experience of a lifetime. Watch as their confidence and curiosity grows, bringing them eye to eye with you. If no whales are found, continue your dive/snorkel adventure on beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles. In the evening, attend an interpretive talk (and power point presentation) by researchers on whale biology, behaviour and the history behind the Minke Whale Project.
DAY 3:
Depending on the events of previous day, focus upon either diving/snorkeling on the reef, or spotting whales. Dive site will be selected based on weather conditions and seasonal marine highlights. Night dives are offered most evenings. During mealtime, enjoy informal talks with onboard biologists and researchers.
DAYS 4 – 6:
Spend the day looking for whales (very often the whales will find us!) and exploring the northern Ribbon Reefs and visiting famous dive sites including the Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle and Steve’s Bommie. During encounters help researchers identify individuals and key behaviours and be sure to keep an ear out for the minke’s unique acoustic repertoire. Increase your marine knowledge and enthusiasm by attending another interpretive talk offered by our onboard biologists.
DAY 7:
Final day of the expedition! Enjoy your last two dives and/or minke swim in the morning as we steam south towards Port Douglas. Relax whilst underway taking in the beautiful views of our emerald rainforest clad coast. If we are really lucky we could even see one of the first Humpback whales of the season! Vessel returns to Port Douglas late afternoon (4:00 – 5:00) where you will disembark and say your good-byes!
