Silver Bank (8 Days / 7 Nights - 0 Dives)

Trip highlights: whales, non diving activities

Diving environment: very popular

Dive sites and activities: Snorkeling and swimming with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic

Day 1
The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II offers snorkeling whale safaris that depart from Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic. This fantastic liveaboard awaits your arrival at the Ocean World Marina dock, located 30 minutes from Puerto Plata International Airport. It can be boarded between 16:00-21:30 hrs. You will receive a warm welcome and info from the crew. Dinner is served while the yacht gets ready to depart for the Silver Bank.
During the trip you will enjoy 2 distinct types of encounters. One type will occur on the surface: males competing for the attention of the females by breaching, slamming into one another, lob tailing, spy hopping, and fin and tail slapping. You will safely observe the action from a reasonable distance in the tenders.
The other type of encounter will involve entering the water wearing mask, fins and snorkel to observe less aggressive and often curious groups and individuals, like mothers and calves. Sometimes the whales are curious and cooperative and sometimes they disappear in a flash. Scuba diving in not allowed

Core Days
Arrival at Silver Bank is between 08:30-10:30 hrs, depending on the weather. Enjoy a late breakfast while the crew prepares mooring and assembly of the tenders. The first 2 tenders start their trips at 14:00 hrs, with the last run being at 17:00 hrs. The Silver Bank area is one of the few places in the world where humans can have warm water encounters with humpbacks. The Silver Banks' warm clear water is an ideal location for viewing and photographing the whales. The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II liveaboard is one of the few yachts permitted access to Silver Bank during the humpbacks' mating and breeding season. Here, the swimming with humpback whales is officially sanctioned, permitted and regulated. You will need to follow regulations that are meant to protect the whales from harassment and provide the best possible chance of a lasting and meaningful encounter. During your initial briefing the crew will review the guidelines and rules.
The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II moors in an area near the backbone reef of Silver Bank where an old Greek freighter called the Polyxeni lies aground being rapidly reclaimed by the sea. The reef provides some protection and a comfortable anchorage for the yacht. The tenders are launched several times daily and are solely used to bring you closer to the whales. Tender runs last 1 and a half to 3 hours, depending on the proximity of whale activity and time of the day.
The menu aboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of international feasts, barbecues and local cuisine. You will wake up to fresh fruit, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches are buffet-style, featuring hot soups, homemade bread, salads and sandwiches and/or entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a freshly made dessert. There will also be plenty of snacks throughout the day.
Daily cocktail parties on the sun deck are held every afternoon following the whale runs. Nightly presentations with videos will follow after dinner.
The yacht then returns to the Ocean World Marina in Puerto Plata late Friday afternoon: dinner is not served onboard; however, the crew will recommend a restaurant in the marina.

Day 8
After a continental breakfast, you will depart for the airport at approximately 08:00 hrs. If you are extending your stay, arrangements can be made for transportation to your local hotel. Please note that transfers to/from the boat will be an extra charge.