See the largest animal on earth like never before.
Aqua-Firma, the wilderness travel company, has announced new trips offering the chance to see and snorkel with Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and many other cetaceans in Sri Lanka. The announcement of these new safe and responsible encounters follows shortly after Sir David Attenborough mentioned in a recent interview that one of his regrets was that he had never swum with a blue whale.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to date, the only way of seeing these magnificent animals has been by tourist day boat with a limited range.
This October, Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey, will be joined by Sri Lanka’s leading cetacean researcher, Howard Martenstyn, on a dedicated live-aboard motor yacht in search of close encounters above and below the water.
Aqua-Firma’s chartered motor yacht is able to travel far offshore to where pods are most likely to be located. The teams are equipped with smaller search boats, hydrophones and regional experts, giving a much higher chance of quality sightings. What’s more, the trips offer guests opportunity to snorkel with these beautiful creatures as well as spotting them from the boat.
In addition to interactions with Blue Whales, the largest and heaviest animal on the planet which can grow up to 30 metres in length, the team will also be seeking opportunities to spot Sperm Wales, super pods of Spinner Dolphins and Bryde’s Whales. The scientific leadership team will share fascinating insights into the life of these beautiful creatures, whilst those keen will be able to gather opportunistic research data.
“Sri Lanka is unique,” says Aqua-Firma Director and Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey. “Most tropical seas invite the interest of whales during annual breeding and birthing seasons, but here, whales appear to be able to feed year round, avoiding the need to migrate between the Tropics and the Arctic or Antarctica. A live-aboard trip of this kind to Sri Lanka will uniquely enable us to spot blue whales, sperm whales and other cetaceans, as we move around the coast to points where seasonal winds create upwellings which bring food close to the surface. It is a truly humbling and awe-inspiring experience to share the water with the biggest creatures on the planet.”
Aqua-Firma’s Whale Encounter Portfolio includes:
Blue Whales, Sperm Whales & Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Experience in North East Sri Lanka
• Runs from 29 October – 5 November 2016
• £1,890 ($2,490) per person sharing (not including flights)
• Also runs from 14 – 21 October 2017 from £2,090 ($2,590) per person sharing (not including flights)
• Aqua-Firma offers flights from London to Colombo from £490
Blue Whales, Sperm Whales & Dolphins Watching & Snorkeling Experience in South West Sri Lanka
• Runs from 31 March – 7 April 2018
• £2,180 ($2,690) per person sharing (not including flights)
Humpback Whales in the Caribbean Silverbanks: Whale Watching and Snorkelling Experience
• Unique expert led experience on a private yacht charter
• Fully booked for 2016, but next available 4 – 11 March 2017
• Available from £2,440 ($3,395) per person sharing (not including flights)
• Aqua-Firma offers flights from London to Dominican Republic from £690
• Dates available in 2017, 2018 & 2019
For more information or to book through Aqua-Firma’s expert team, please call 01428 620012 or visit the Aqua-Firma website.
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For further press information, please contact:
Melissa Hobson/Sunita Ghalley
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8924
E: [email protected]
About Aqua-Firma
Aqua-Firma offers opportunities for safe and responsible encounters with wildlife and marine life in wilderness locations around the planet. Its unique adventures bridge land and sea from the Equator to the Poles; and where possible brings clients into close proximity to wildlife and marine life whose conservation and research the company helps to fund. Aqua-Firma’s polar voyages contribute to carbon offset programmes which have so far helped to establish and protect rainforest and coastal reserves in Peru, Madagascar, Ecuador and Costa Rica. It tropical journeys often bring clients into uniquely close contact with whales, whale sharks, giant manta rays, turtles and other wildlife in the company of researchers the company helps to fund.
For more information go to www.aqua-firma.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/AquaFirma and https://twitter.com/aquafirma
