Humpbacks and Marine Safari
Available as a tailormade journey only
From £3,060 per person on a twin share basis from the UK
Allows better access and a longer time at sea in areas well known for humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins
Be guided by an expert whale researcher and conservationist
Watch bottlenose dolphins surf your boat’s bow waves and humpbacks breech clear of the water during the mating season.
Explore the Machalilla National Park’s wildlife, marinelife, and beaches
Small group experience with a more hands on approach
Discovery Initiatives has put together a unique marine safari that combines the best of what the west coast of South America can offer in terms of marine wildlife as part of a boat based safari. A nine day trip including four days with a world renowned whale researcher off the coast of Ecuador watching Humpback whales and Bottlenose Dolphin – two of the most acrobatic cetaceans in the world. Then enjoy the pristine wilderness of Machalilla National Park, combining dry tropical forests, white sandy beaches and the islands of Isla de la Plata.
Here is a chance to participate with whale expert, Dr Fernando Felix on his research. Watch bottlenose dolphin’s surf your boats bow waves and humpbacks breech clear of the water. You will get involved in all aspects of his research programme that has been continuous since 1991 including Photographic ID, noting whale behaviour and recording their songs, as well as tracking and GPS positioning, all vital needs in the whale researcher’s tasks.
Each year the South-eastern Pacific Humpback whale migrates north from its feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warmer waters off the coasts of Ecuador and Colombia to breed and calve, especially in the shallow waters of Puerto Cayo and Puerto Lopez off Ecuador. Severely diminished by whale hunters in the 19th and early 20th century they have since recovered and this subspecies is now thought to number 2000 off this coast. By July whale numbers have peaked, and calves are born from the end of the month through August. This is also the time when humpbacks are most active, looking for females and chasing off other male suitors, and so unsurprisingly their displays are impressive; with numerous out of the water breaches, tail slaps, belly up swimming, pectoral slaps and side swimming to name a few of their most common antics!
Then enjoy the pristine wilderness of Machalilla National Park, combining dry tropical forests, white sandy beaches and the islands of Isla de la Plata, all from a comfortable Ecolodge, before flying home.
Make an Enquiry & learn more
Available as tailormade in June & July 2008
From: £3,060 per person sharing a twin room from the UK including international and domestic flights.
Includes: This includes International flights on Iberia Airways, domestic flights to Guayaquil, bilingual naturalist and guide, accommodation and board basis as detailed throughout your time on the mainland, transfers, whale watching, and other activities as per itinerary and services of Felix Fernando. Contribution to FEMM.
Excludes: Visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, meals where not detailed in your itinerary, alcoholic drinks, tips/gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
Travelling from outside the UK We are happy to quote you either in US dollars or Euros – without flights to the destination city. Because of recent currency fluctuations we will quote you separately for this. Please do contact us for the price.
Single supplements We do not charge single supplements if you are willing to share even if we are unable to find you a suitable room However if you want a guaranteed single room the cost is £525 per person
Flights Please note: International flight prices are based on 2007 costs and are subject to change for 2008. These flights can not be confirmed until ten months prior to departure when flight prices and availability will be released by the airline
This Trip Supports..
Galapagos Conservation Trust
Ecuadorian Foundation for the Study of Marine Animals
Monies paid for this marine wildlife cruise help the Fundacion Ecuatoriana Para el Estudio de Mamiferos Marinos, or FEMM and their ongoing Humpback whale study programme.
Last year our humpback whale cruises helped fund a whale watching guide and Code of Conduct to this region, written by Fernando Felix. Also included is a year’s membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Field Expertise
Fernando Felix
Fernando first started whale studies here in 1991 after studying the large numbers of Bottlenose Dolphin in the Gulf of Guayaquil, and has continued each season to collect data on their welfare, behaviour, and population size. He can identify a large number of the individuals and founded FEMM to help conserve these waters from unregulated shipping and tourism activities.
Monies paid for this adventure help Fernando Felix fund the Fundacion Ecuatoriana Para el Estudio de Mamiferos Marinos, or FEMM and their ongoing Humpback whale study programme. FEMM has also been directly involved in the promotion of whale watching in Ecuador, which has become the main ecotourism activity on the coast of Ecuador.
Should you wish to get direct feedback from any number of our clients who have travelled with us to the Galapagos and South America, please do contact us and we would be delighted to help put you in touch.
You exceeded expectations by giving me an amazing book of Ecuador for my birthday, what great customer service, but the real highlight was the incredible wildlife and enthusiasm of the whale watching experts …. And oh – getting engaged!
D. Maisel 2004
For feedback on a host of our other Galapagos cruises please click here