January 11, 2026
When the Whales Finally Answer
Patience, persistence and the quiet reward of meeting giants on their own terms
I'm sitting in Douglas-Charles Airport's cafe, selecting my favourite images from the last two weeks here in Dominica on our special permit Sperm whale swims. Two weeks ago, after the first two days with no whales seen or heard, i was wondering if this year's trips would be a damp squib compared to my last visit in 2016. I needn't have worried. From day three, the whales came to the party, with up to nine individuals, from three "units" or families, cavorting together.
On the second week, the group had in-water encounters with whales every one of the first four days, and a brief Pilot whale swim, though, to give them the full gamut of whale watching experiences, on the last day they were silent again.
Interactions lasted from 60 seconds, to 35 minutes at a time. Some days we travelled from the southern tip of the island to the far north searching until 3 PM, other days we found them in less than an hour and were back on the deck having tea and medals before 2PM.
2019's two weeks are both full already, there are spots left in 2020. See here.
Want to know more?
Discover when the ocean rewards patience. Speak to Indigo Safaris about future Dominica sperm whale experiences and plan a journey shaped by nature, not schedules.
Stories from the surface, shaped by the deep
Some journeys reveal themselves slowly. This blog shares moments from the field, where time on the water, quiet anticipation and fleeting encounters come together to tell a fuller story. From firsthand reflections to experiences shaped by nature’s own rhythm, these entries offer insight into what it truly means to travel with patience, purpose and respect for the ocean.
July 15, 2018