Very few people will ever have the chance to come face-to-face with the world's biggest animal, and you could be one of them. Blue whales are the largest creature to ever lived on Earth, reaching lengths of 90 feet and weighing up to 100 tons. We are now offering two unique opportunities to swim and snorkel with these magnificent leviathans, either in the waters of San Diego's Mission Bay or in the clear oceanic waters off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
The California Connection
The largest population of blue whales in the world can be found off the coast of Baja California each summer. From June through October, hundreds of these giants arrive to feed on rich clouds of tiny krill, providing a rare chance for encounters close to shore. Whale watching cruises out of San Diego are popular but sighting breaching whales from the deck of a tour boat can't compare to actually swimming with them. That opportunity is reserved for a fortunate few. Caradonna's blue whale package is offered through a partnership with BigAnimals Global Expeditions, providing week-long programs limited to just five participants.
San Diego is the home port for daily trips aboard a 45-foot dive boat that can comfortably accommodate 22 but carries just five guests and the support team. Each morning, coastal observers scout the water and a dedicated spotter aircraft is deployed to pinpoint the location of the whales. It's a practice the BigAnimals team perfected while filming these whales for the BBC and National Geographic, and it ensures the maximum chances of success. Each morning, the team departs Mission Bay and typically heads south to the Mexican waters by Coronado Island. The dive boat carries five two-seater kayaks, and each participant is paired with a professional paddler. As the boat approaches a group of whales, engines are stopped well ahead of the animal's anticipated path, and kayaks are launched. Participants sit in the front of each kayak, with mask and fins at the ready as the paddlers maneuver them into position. Despite their enormous size, blue whales are fairly shy, and will typically avoid the noise of a running boat. Approaching by kayak is a much less invasive practice that allows a far greater chance of up-close encounters.
Blue whales are the star attraction of these open-water adventures, but the same waters are also home to blue and mako sharks, mola molas, sea lions and dolphins. Through the day, the boat's captain and crew are always on the lookout for bait balls and other signs of activity that could lead to additional in-water adventures. In the late afternoon, the boat returns to San Diego, giving participants a chance to relax and enjoy dinner ashore and a comfortable night's sleep.
A Tropical Treat
The island nation of Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the world's premier destination for blue whale tourism. Each year, the whales come close to shore during mating and calving season, creating the chance for encounters that take place in warm and exceptionally clear tropical waters. For decades, governmental restrictions on coastal fishing allowed cetacean life such as the pygmy blue whale, sperm whale, and common and spinner dolphins to flourish. This created a new wave of ecotourism, and BigAnimals and local tour operators encouraged the Sri Lanka Navy to establish ecological standards to protect the whales’ environment.
The programs offered by Caradonna and the BigAnimals Global Expeditions are limited to just four participants to allow for intimate encounters with these incredibly beautiful and gentle giants. Daily excursions with experienced local guides take place aboard launches configured for fast but non-invasive operation. Two guests are assigned to each launch, and when encounter time arrives, they enjoy exclusive water time with the whales. This can result in some amazing up-close viewing and photo opportunities, made even more memorable by the exceptional water clarity. The same waters that are known for blue whales are also a major gathering place for sperm whales, pilot whales and giant pods of spinner and common dolphins, creating even more chances for once-in-a-lifetime interactions.
These two unique opportunities to swim with blue whales are available on a first-come basis through us. We will arrange all the details of travel, transfer and hotel accommodation. To learn more, call our offices at 800-330-6611, request a quote now or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.
