One of the trickiest parts of setting up a whale-watching trip is making sure you’re in the right place at the right time (like Marc Veraart was when he took our superb, featured image).
Though fantastic whale watching spots, places such as Hermanus (South Africa) and Santa Catarina (Brazil) only witness the giant ocean-bound beasts for a small part of the year.
Dominica is great because you don’t need to time a trip to coincide with any migratory season – it’s the only country in the world around which sperm whales can be spotted all year. It’s said there’s a 90 per cent success rate for excursions around the Caribbean island.
Even more impressive is that two thirds of all 33 known cetacean species – that is, whales, dolphins, and porpoises – are found in Dominican waters.
Spotters have a good chance of seeing pilot whales, pygmy whales, Atlantic spinner dolphins and spotted dolphins, while the truly lucky may also catch a glimpse of the elusive little pygmy sperm, false killer and Atlantic Bottlenose whales.
Whales and dolphins are drawn to this part of the ocean because the deep sheltered bays along Dominica’s western coastline are the perfect havens for breeding and calving.
The region’s pristine reefs, dramatic walls, underwater springs and abundant marine life also make Dominica a great diving spot.
Visitors are advised to book with eco-conscious operators who strive to minimize the disturbance of whales.
Responsible Travel, a tour operator that aims to live up to its name, has more information about holidays in Dominica and whale watching on its website.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
