THE PROGRAM: 

8 nights and 5 days on the water.

Diving with whales is heavily limited and regulated through permits. This price includes a spermwhale permit for Feb 6 – 10.

FLIGHTS: 

There is one nonstop flight per day from Miami Int. Airport (MIA) to Dominica (DOM) for the days of arrival and departure. Furthermore there is  connection from Europe through London Heathrow and Barbados without any Stopover nights. We will be happy to assist with your travel to and from Dominica!

Welcome to Fort Young Hotel in Dominica, where tranquility meets comfort. Our hotel is situated in the heart of Roseau, Dominica’s capital city, offering a serene and convenient location.

Immerse yourself in the relaxing ambiance of our well-appointed rooms. Designed with your comfort in mind, each room features modern amenities and a private balcony, allowing you to unwind while enjoying views of the sea or the surrounding mountains.

Standard Rooms: Spacious and cozy rooms with modern amenities, comfortable bedding, and a private balcony offering views of the sea or mountains.

Suites: Elegant and expansive suites with separate living areas, luxurious furnishings, and upgraded amenities. Suites may also feature panoramic windows or additional balconies for enhanced views.

Although around 20 different whale families have been identified in Dominica, 10 families are regularly spotted since 1984. Sperm whales live up to 70 years and is believed that they encounter and interact with other whales on a regular basis, which means that they can remember each other over long periods of time.

According to scientists, these interactions are possible through a complex set of dialects of clicking sounds, often called ‘codas’. Although each unit has its own set of clicks, there does seem to be overlaps between these codas of different units. Fascinatingly, units who share similarities in sound repertoires tend to spend time together, while those with different repertoires never seem to do so.

One of the coda types frequently recognised amongst the Caribbean units is the ‘1 + 1 + 3’, which comprises of two short clicks separated by a pause, followed by three clicks in a row. For over three decades this sequence has been documented in the area.

The whale pods are located by underwater listening devices. When located, we gently approach and three people can slide into the water with the whales without disturbing their activities. Interactions can last 30 seconds or 15 minutes: that is up to the whales and how they behave. If an interaction lasts over a certain amount of minutes, the three people in the water will make way for three other guests on the boat. After that we rotate to ensure that all guests get a similar amount of time in the water with these ocean giants. In case of a short encounter, the next approach will be done by the three following guests in line.

Although there is no guarantee on the interaction time, days without any whale sightings are extremely rare. We often encounter other cetaceans in search of sperm whales and there will be lots of other marine life around to admire. As the action evolves several miles out to sea, and always in different spots, guests should be aware that this trip involves plenty of boat time searching and waiting for the right rewarding encounter. Looking out for action on the water, and swimming in order to approach the animals, will form part of this adventure.

Packed lunches, water, tea and coffee are provided on the boat. The water temperatures are around the low 20s C., so most guests are comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit.

August 23 –  Sep 6, 2024

The only way to reach Niue is by taking a 3-hour direct flight from Auckland International Airport, 2 times a week every Tuesday and Saturday. As we are crossing the international dateline the arrival will be one day before. This means you have to catch the early morning flight (around 9 a.m.) on the 24th from Auckland to Niue to arrive on the day before. We will spend 14 nights on the island – from August 23rd to September 6th 2024.

Meeting Point for this trip will be in Auckland accordingly. Your tour leader will be in a hotel nearby the airport the night prior to the departure to meet you there. We will publish and offer the hotel overnights as soon as flights will be available (11 months before departure). Feel free to ask us about packages including your international flights or also extension programs in New Zealand.

Action plan:

Meeting times will be discussed on spot for the next day. We will meet for breakfast of course and head from there together to the dive shop.

For your whale and freediving adventures we will enjoy the private boat with maximum 6 passengers. The whale trips normally take up to 4 hours and will happen either in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on weather conditions, guests or the trip leader’s decision. It’s not really possible to say which times are better as nature is unpredictable. If there are no whales to be found we will use the time to get some water time in the magical caves or on the reefs of Niue. The package includes 10 days of excursions on the water. On 2 of those days we will add a freediving experience either before or after the whale search in the caves and reefs around the island. On the free day we will enjoy a special island tour from Niue Blue. This leaves us with another 2 full days for your own activities and adventures. Please note that in Niue there are no shops or companies working on Sundays. It’s a strictly sabbatical day, same as in the Kingdom of Tonga. This local tradition should be kept in mind and respected.

Scenic Matavai Resort

As the only full service resort on Niue, the Scenic Matavai Resort offers the best of both worlds — an uncrowded, authentic Niuean experience with the convenience of contemporary luxury. Enjoy watching Humpback Whales and Spinner Dolphins right from the deck while enjoying a meal from of the two onsite restaurants and finish the evening with cocktails by the pool.

Fakaalofa lahi atu – Welcome to beautiful Niue

Niue is a Pacific Island paradise like no other – one of the smallest countries and one of the largest raised coral atolls on earth. It’s a place where it’s normal for complete strangers to wave at each other, a place where nature hasn’t been broken and things are ‘the way they used to be’. Niue is a large upraised coral atoll, positioned as a standalone island in the centre of a triangle of nations made up of Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. It’s located 2400km northeast of New Zealand, on the eastern side of the international dateline.

The island’s isolation and coral origins make for an exciting coastline. There are no lakes or rivers that runoff into the ocean which ensures crystal clear water year round. The whole island is dotted with a myriad of caves, sheltered rocky coves and secret beaches, some of which have yet to be explored. The Huvalu Rainforest is home to amazing indigenous trees and has been designated as a Conservation Area to protect and conserve the islands primary rainforest and natural fauna and flora. Scattered throughout the 14 neat and colorful villages, Niue’s less than 1500 residents enjoy dual citizenship, as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. They are bilingual, speaking both Niuean and English, and enjoy an independent lifestyle. The locals are very respectful, genuinely friendly and hospitable to visitors and have accepted tourism as an important component to their economic development and well-being. They are well educated and enjoy life.

Humpback whales of Niue Island

From July to October each year the Humpback whales arrive in Niue’s waters to nurse their young. Niue is one of only a handful of places in the world where you are allowed to swim with the whales. Mother nature of course doesn’t guarantee an experience so whale interactions are strictly dependent on the whales being around, within range, settled and the weather conditions being safe. At night, you can sometimes hear the whales slapping their giant fins against the water and you may even be kept awake by their calls, unlike anywhere else in the world – they can come that close to the shore because the water is so deep.
As far as we know the density of the whales is not as high as in Tonga. However, there are only three operators with a handful of boats for whale watching, so expect little or no traffic on the water. Also, as Niue is made entirely of porous limestone, it has no lakes or streams. This means that the rain quickly filters through the island into the sea below, resulting in no sediment in the water and the visibility (diver’s favorite word) can be up to 80 meters. This clarity is ranked amongst the very best in the world and, coupled with the warm water, makes for an exceptional dive, snorkel and freediving experience!
On land Niue Island offers you beautiful landscapes and grotesque limestone formations on its coast. Take a walk along the coastline or through Niue’s tropical rainforest and experience ancient Polynesian wilderness first-hand. Also, there are bicycles and even e-bikes to rent to explore the island.

August 9 – 23, 2024

The only way to reach Niue is by taking a 3-hour direct flight from Auckland International Airport, 2 times a week every Tuesday and Saturday. As we are crossing the international dateline the arrival will be one day before. This means you have to catch the early morning flight (around 9 a.m.) on the 10th from Auckland to Niue to arrive on the day before. We will spend 14 nights on the island – from August 9th to August 23rd 2024.

Meeting Point for this trip will be in Auckland accordingly.  Your tour leader will be in a hotel nearby the airport the night prior to the departure to meet you there. We will publish and offer the hotel overnights as soon as flights will be available (11 months before departure). Feel free to ask us about packages including your international flights or also extension programs in New Zealand.

Action plan:

Meeting times will be discussed on spot for the next day. We will meet for breakfast of course and head from there together to the dive shop.

For your whale and freediving adventures we will enjoy the private boat with maximum 6 passengers. The whale trips normally take up to 4 hours and will happen either in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on weather conditions, guests or the trip leader’s decision. It’s not really possible to say which times are better as nature is unpredictable. If there are no whales to be found we will use the time to get some water time in the magical caves or on the reefs of Niue. The package includes 10 days of excursions on the water. On 2 of those days we will add a freediving experience either before or after the whale search in the caves and reefs around the island. On the free day we will enjoy a special island tour from Niue Blue. This leaves us with another 2 full days for your own activities and adventures. Please note that in Niue there are no shops or companies working on Sundays. It’s a strictly sabbatical day, same as in the Kingdom of Tonga. This local tradition should be kept in mind and respected.

Scenic Matavai Resort

As the only full service resort on Niue, the Scenic Matavai Resort offers the best of both worlds — an uncrowded, authentic Niuean experience with the convenience of contemporary luxury. Enjoy watching Humpback Whales and Spinner Dolphins right from the deck while enjoying a meal from of the two onsite restaurants and finish the evening with cocktails by the pool.

Fakaalofa lahi atu – Welcome to beautiful Niue

Niue is a Pacific Island paradise like no other – one of the smallest countries and one of the largest raised coral atolls on earth. It’s a place where it’s normal for complete strangers to wave at each other, a place where nature hasn’t been broken and things are ‘the way they used to be’. Niue is a large upraised coral atoll, positioned as a standalone island in the centre of a triangle of nations made up of Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. It’s located 2400km northeast of New Zealand, on the eastern side of the international dateline.

The island’s isolation and coral origins make for an exciting coastline. There are no lakes or rivers that runoff into the ocean which ensures crystal clear water year round. The whole island is dotted with a myriad of caves, sheltered rocky coves and secret beaches, some of which have yet to be explored. The Huvalu Rainforest is home to amazing indigenous trees and has been designated as a Conservation Area to protect and conserve the islands primary rainforest and natural fauna and flora. Scattered throughout the 14 neat and colorful villages, Niue’s less than 1500 residents enjoy dual citizenship, as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. They are bilingual, speaking both Niuean and English, and enjoy an independent lifestyle. The locals are very respectful, genuinely friendly and hospitable to visitors and have accepted tourism as an important component to their economic development and well-being. They are well educated and enjoy life.

Humpback whales of Niue Island

From July to October each year the Humpback whales arrive in Niue’s waters to nurse their young. Niue is one of only a handful of places in the world where you are allowed to swim with the whales. Mother nature of course doesn’t guarantee an experience so whale interactions are strictly dependent on the whales being around, within range, settled and the weather conditions being safe. At night, you can sometimes hear the whales slapping their giant fins against the water and you may even be kept awake by their calls, unlike anywhere else in the world – they can come that close to the shore because the water is so deep.
As far as we know the density of the whales is not as high as in Tonga. However, there are only three operators with a handful of boats for whale watching, so expect little or no traffic on the water. Also, as Niue is made entirely of porous limestone, it has no lakes or streams. This means that the rain quickly filters through the island into the sea below, resulting in no sediment in the water and the visibility (diver’s favorite word) can be up to 80 meters. This clarity is ranked amongst the very best in the world and, coupled with the warm water, makes for an exceptional dive, snorkel and freediving experience!
On land Niue Island offers you beautiful landscapes and grotesque limestone formations on its coast. Take a walk along the coastline or through Niue’s tropical rainforest and experience ancient Polynesian wilderness first-hand. Also, there are bicycles and even e-bikes to rent to explore the island.

The journey starts in the city of Tromsø in Norway. We recommend to arrive more than just one night before the expedition the get a glimpse of this beautiful arctic city! We can arrange hotels & tours as well as your international flights.

Nov 24 – 30, 2024

The following is an approximate itinerary as the final itinerary, of course, depends on the sea, the weather and the animals.  Expert guides will accompany you on your whale watching adventures to provide information and guidance.

Day 1: Arrival and boarding
Arrival at Tromsø airport and transfer to the harbor. In the afternoon you will board your ship, settle in and explore the ship.

Day 2-6:  The search is on
Surrounded by the dramatic Norwegian fjords, you’ll spend 5 full days following schools of herring  … and pods of orcas & humpbacks. The bridge of the ship is a great place to look for whales and enjoy theamazing light and the awesome scenery.  Whenever the conditions are right and animals are in the vicinity, you can board the Zodiacs to snorkel and photograph the animals and feeding frenzies.

You can watch the highlights from the spacious deck or join the Zodiac excursions for up-close whale watching and excellent photography opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to go ashore to visit some of the historical fishing villages situated in the fjords.  But, the top highlight is the in-water experience with the whales, orcas & herring!

During the darker hours you will enjoy the warm and cozy comfort of the expedition yacht while your expert guides entertain you with presentations and educational information on wildlife and cinematography and films. Excellent food is served three times a day, with a warm meal during lunch and diner.  Beer and wine are available.

Also, of course, the winter months mean displays of the Aurora Borealis. With a bit of luck you might be treated to some of this delight.

Day 7: Disembarkation
The ships usually arrive back in Tromsø the night before disembarkation.   After breakfast and farewell to your crew, it is unfortunately time to disembark.  The guides can arrange a transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you choose to extend your stay in Norway.

M/V Kinfish

Step aboard the RV Kinfish, where adventure and comfort meet in perfect harmony. With room for up to 12 guests, our ship offers an intimate and exclusive experience as you explore the stunning natural beauty of your chosen destination, led by our expert crew of guides and naturalists.

Relax in our spacious and comfortable cabins, each with en-suite facilities, as you take in the breathtaking scenery from your own private window. Our onboard restaurant serves up exquisite cuisine, prepared by our talented chefs using the freshest local ingredients, while our bar is fully stocked with a selection of fine wines, spirits, and cocktails to enjoy at your leisure.

The RV Kinfish also features a range of amenities designed to enhance your experience. Take a dip in our hot tub on the upper deck, relax on the sun loungers, or make use of our kayaks and paddleboards to explore the surrounding waters up close. With our state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including radar and sonar, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the natural world like never before.

At Behind the Mask, we’re committed to sustainable travel and minimizing our impact on the environment. The ship is designed with eco-friendly technology, including solar panels and a water treatment system, to ensure we leave the smallest possible footprint on the beautiful wilderness we explore.

Vessel Specifications:

Vessel type Expedition and Research/Survey
Flag / Port of registry Sweden / Göteborg
Built / rebuilt Stord 1958 / Båtservice 1986, Kimek 1996, NRS 2017
Class DNV +1A-1 ICE-C – E0 (bow strengthened to ICE 1B1)
Length (LOA) 37.25 m
LBP 31,38 m
Beam 7.01 m
Max draft / Air draft 4.25 m / 16.25 m
Tonnage 329 GT / 98 NT
Displacement 442 tonnes
Material hull / superstructure Steel / Aluminium
Speed (cruising / max) 9 knots / 11 knots

Welcome to Tromsø

Mar 2nd – 16th, 2024 14 nights Palau Spawning

We will arrive on March 2nd 2024 in Koror, Palau. We will be picked-up and transfered to our hotel, Palau Central Hotel. We will be a small group of max. 6 people with a private boat charter for 20 dives in total in Palau. Full day tours include two dives and lunch on one of the pristine islands of the Rock Islands. If you haven’t had enough of diving after returning in the late afternoon, you can do another dive at “Sam’s Macro Wall” right in front of the dive center. Here you can meet mandarin fish during the twilight.

We will dive on walls with incredible coral formations, hang out with sharks in reef corners, encounter rays, and schooling fish, and explore channels, sandy bottom sites, tunnels, holes, caves, and caverns during our dive. And we will explore twisted remains of WWII freighters, plane wrecks, and more.

And we will have a double spawning trip with the Blue Lined Sea Bream and the Bumphead Parrotfish. This is a special spawning trip as it is only possible to do this twice a year once in March and once in April. You will get to dive with two of the biggest aggregations of those species discovered on the planet so far, something quite special.

The important thing is to never forget that this is a natural spectacle. And nature is not predictable.

Snorkelling excursion to Jellyfish Lake:
Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake with millions of golden Jellyfish. This lake is part of the Rock Islands, a group of small, rocky, mostly uninhabited islands in Palau’s Southern Lagoon, between Koror and Peleliu.

Day trip German Lighthouse:
This tour is for nature lovers of all ages and offers outstanding bird watching opportunities, as well as an interesting hike through the jungle where numerous WWII remains are hidden.

Half day tour Peleliu:
After 2 dives in Peleliu we discover the countless artifacts from the Second World War and experience the history of Palau up close.

After 14 exciting days with diving and some land tours, is our departure day and we will fly back home.

Daily Itinerary

Palau Central Hotel

The Palau Central Hotel offers newly renovated Western style rooms in the center of Palau´s downtown only steps away from restaurants, shopping and activities. Palau International Airport is only 15 minutes away and the dive center Sam´s Tours is only 7 minutes away by car.

The hotel offers also a restaurant, a spa area, outdoor swimming pool and a conference center.

Palau

The first thing we’d like to note, which speaks to the character of this island nation, is that the world’s first shark sanctuary was declared in Palau in 2009.  It was only after that action that other nations begans to follow suit.

The Federated States of Micronesia, includes the diving havens of Palau, Truk & Yap, covering roughly 3 million square miles. East of the Philippines & north of Indonesia, the islands are small, rocky & largely uninhabitable, but richly forested, many with dazzling white sand beaches. Palau itself is composed of about 250 mostly-uninhabited islands, which are ringed by a single barrier reef.

Situated where she is in a triangle with Indonesia and the Philippines, it comes as no surprise that splendid corals are one of Palau’s greatest claims to fame – along with tremendous marine diversity. Most dive sites in Palau are world-class, with underwater features like blue holes, drop-offs, caverns, caves and channels. Visibility often seems endless and can go up to 30m on good days.

Palau can be dived year-round and the water temperature is usually warm at a range of 27-30°C. Most of the dive sites are located about 45-60 minutes away by speed boat from the dive center of Sam´s Tours.

Most of the dive sites are recommended for divers with experience because of the strong currents in Palau. A reef hook is critical to have for several dive sites at the outer walls of the barrier reef.

Shipwreck enthusiast will be spoilt for choice in Palau as there are more than 20 Japanese warships and planes from the Second World War to discover, many of them covered with colorful corals.

Sam´s Tours Palau

The friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff at this PADI 5-Star National Geographic Center lead daily trips for divers of all skill levels to Palau’s world-class dive sites and WWII wrecks.

Sam’s Tours dive center is located in Koror, Palau.

You will have complimentary NITROX up to 32% (with proof of certification) and full day or half-day trips and customized private charters, for individuals, families and groups.

For non-diving days, there’s a selection of breath-taking tours – both on and off the water – that include rock island tours, snorkel tours, Jellyfish Lake tours, Palau’s top rated kayak trips, big island sight-seeing tours, waterfall tours, cultural tours and “around the town” shopping shuttles.

At days end, Bottom Time Bar & Grill – home port of the Royal Belau Yacht Club – offers relaxed casual dining and tropical sunset cocktails right on the water at Sam’s Tours overlooking the beautiful rock islands. It’s the best place in town for fresh sashimi and ice cold Red Rooster Beer, Palau’s only micro-brewed beer!