July 9, 2026
How Should You Choose Your Sperm Whale Swim Boat and Crew in Dominica?
What to look for before you book, from the permit to the person on the hydrophone.
People often ask what type of boat we use for our swimming with sperm whale trips in Dominica. The choice of boat and crew can make a real difference to your experience. Below, our founder, Christopher Bartlett, sets out what to check before booking, in his own words.
A 37-foot Bertram Sport fishing boat, reliable since 2021.
The Boat We Use
We use a 37-foot Bertram Sport fishing boat with twin inboard Caterpillar engines, a shaded back deck, a shaded flybridge, a saloon, a galley, a flushing toilet, and ample storage. Since I started using her in 2021, we have never missed a day due to a mechanical issue, which is not always the case for the other boats that get used.
- Start With the Permit
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Confirm your operator holds a valid permit for the Sperm Whale Sanctuary.
Firstly, make sure your chosen operator will get a proper permit and abide by the laws of the Sperm Whale Sanctuary. You can ask for proof of prior permits.
- The Hydrophone, and Knowing How to Use It
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Equipment alone is not enough; the crew's ability to read it matters just as much.
She is equipped with a directional hydrophone and, in my experience, the best crew on the island. Having a hydrophone is one step, knowing how to interpret the sounds you are hearing is quite another, which is another reason why the crew choice should be a factor in who you use.
Meet the Crew
Six people whose combined experience shapes every trip.
My crew:
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Arun Madisetti
Main guide and sperm whale expert
A marine biologist working with Christopher since 2015, formerly Chief Fisheries Officer and ex-President of the Marine Reserve, and an accomplished underwater photographer who has worked with various film crews.
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Dougie Clement
Boat captain
Has been working with sperm whales since he was a teenager, more than twenty-five years, and with Christopher since 2021.
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Brenton Webster
First mate
An experienced first mate, working with Christopher since 2021.
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Naz Winston
Assistant guide and deck hand
Also a licensed boat captain and dive master, known to Christopher since 2020.
Plan Your Sperm Whale Swim With Indigo Safaris
Speak to a Safari Specialist about permits, crew and dates.
A Safari Specialist can talk you through the boat, the crew and the permit behind a Dominica sperm whale swim, and help you find dates that work for your trip.
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