Swim With Minke Whale Expeditions (trip)

Log in or Register

Swim With Minke Whale Expeditions

  • Cairns Marina Mirage, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
Australia, Australia and Pacific

To check availability or book,
contact Marine Encounters:

Period offered: June, July. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


privacy notice
Your email address is safe from marketers! The address you provide will be used to contact this provider just like a regular email message. No third parties will be given access to your email address, nor will we ever sell it to them. TravelDragon hates spam too!
Do you want a brochure/catalog?
How should the provider respond to you?


from $3,200* per person7 DaysJune, July
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Marine Encounters 12 people max
John Rumney and his dedicated team of researchers and crew have been running swim with minke whale trips for 15 years and pioneered the swim with whale experience in Queensland. They were also instrumental in the development of guidelines that ensures all encounters are carried out on the whales’ terms and have now been adopted by industry as World’s Best Practice.

We believe in connecting people with nature in a profound and meaningful way. Our aim is to create the best minke experience along with excellent reef snorkelling and diving.

What make Eye to Eye Marine Encounters unique?

    Minkes are our priority. We maintain a flexible itinerary in order to maximise the time and quality of whale encounters.

    Dive sites are selected based on weather conditions and seasonal marine attractions, not on a predetermined timeframe

    Researcher presence. Our scientists actively conduct field work while on board and appreciate and encourage guest involvement (i.e. by contributing photographs and behavioural observations to the Minke Whale Project)

    Our dedicated and highly skilled crew has worked with us for years and shares our passion, values and thirst for adventure and fun.

    We believe in the exchange of ideas and sharing of knowledge as a means of enriching the marine experience.

We want to give YOU the best wildlife experience possible in the hope that it will inspire you to protect our marine treasures. Our ethos and reputation has made us the first point of call for documentary film crews, universities and marine institutes around the world. We have been fortunate enough to introduce the beautiful minke whales to IMAX, Galatee (Oceans), National Geographic and the BBC and wish to continue sharing one of world’s most incredible wildlife experiences with others.

Loading map, please wait...

Locations visited/nearby

Australia, Australia and Pacific

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Marine Encounters:

  • Reviewer: James Brickell, British Broadcasting Coorporation
    JR was our skipper for the BBC series 'Great Barrier Reef', and lead a variety of boats to a myriad of filming locations all over the reef over a course of a year.
    His knowledge of the reef; its wonders and pitfalls as well as his understanding of the complexities of filming expeditions put our camera teams in the very best locations at the best times. He was very much more than a skipper to us, his knowledge of the animals in particular made him a key member of the production team. Despite the considerable challenges of wildlife film making JR's ability to handle any conceivable situation in characteristic good humour meant our team always knew that they were in safe hands.
  • Reviewer: Bryant Austin, Marine Mammal Conservation Through
    For all professional photographers and film makers contemplating the prospect of documenting the dwarf minke whales, I highly recommend Eye to Eye Marine Encounters. John Rumney worked many late hours on my behalf to ensure I was with the minke whales for the entire season. This included finding boats to use under his permit and coordinating with other permit holders. No other company I've worked with has gone to these lengths and the results are evident in my photographs.
  • Reviewer: Helen Robertson
    A minke whale expedition with Eye to Eye Marine Encounters leaves you with unforgettable memories. From the enthusiastic friendly crew, informative researchers, amazing food, spectacular dive sites and most of all the beautiful dwarf minke whales will have you coming back for more every year- its addictive! Spending hours in the water interacting with these very inquisitive and friendly whales is one of lifes most amazing wildlife experiences.

Comments from Facebook

Itinerary

Day 1: (4:30 - 5:30pm)
Board your vessel at Pier 319 (behind St Mary’s By the Sea church), Port Douglas. Meet your crew, organize/hire dive gear and complete paperwork. Enjoy a meal in town with fellow guests and return to the boat at 8:00 PM for a safety and minke whale briefing. Depart around 9:00 PM. Steam overnight and awake at your first dive/snorkel site.

DAY 2:
Wake up to the Ribbon Reefs stretching out before you. Enjoy a light breakfast before the first dive/snorkel, followed by a hot cooked meal. This will be accompanied by an in-depth briefing on swim-with-whale guide-lines. Afterwards, travel to your next destination, searching for whales whilst underway. If whales are eager to interact, don your wetsuit and enter the water, ready for the experience of a lifetime. Watch as their confidence and curiosity grows, bringing them eye to eye with you. If no whales are found, continue your dive/snorkel adventure on beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles. In the evening, attend an interpretive talk (and power point presentation) by researchers on whale biology, behaviour and the history behind the Minke Whale Project.

DAY 3:
Depending on the events of previous day, focus upon either diving/snorkeling on the reef, or spotting whales. Dive site will be selected based on weather conditions and seasonal marine highlights. Night dives are offered most evenings. During mealtime, enjoy informal talks with onboard biologists and researchers.

DAYS 4 - 6:
Spend the day looking for whales (very often the whales will find us!) and exploring the northern Ribbon Reefs and visiting famous dive sites including the Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle and Steve’s Bommie. During encounters help researchers identify individuals and key behaviours and be sure to keep an ear out for the minke’s unique acoustic repertoire. Increase your marine knowledge and enthusiasm by attending another interpretive talk offered by our onboard biologists.

DAY 7:
Final day of the expedition! Enjoy your last two dives and/or minke swim in the morning as we steam south towards Port Douglas. Relax whilst underway taking in the beautiful views of our emerald rainforest clad coast. If we are really lucky we could even see one of the first Humpback whales of the season! Vessel returns to Port Douglas late afternoon (4:00 – 5:00) where you will disembark and say your good-byes!

More information from Marine Encounters: