Why Choose Aquatic Adventures?
Tom Conlin, founder of Aquatic Adventures, was the first operator to run a “Whales of the Silver Bank” expedition. He has 22 years experience over a 227-week time frame working whales on the Silver Bank. Coupled within these 22 years of understanding behaviors and movement of the “Whales of the Silver Bank” comes experience, knowledge and interaction with dozens of various marine mammals in different locations around the world. With 83 additional weeks working with dolphins, sperm whales, sharks and 25 various cetaceans throughout his 22 years. His experiences and knowledge base combined, makes the Aquatic Adventures Team, leaders in the field of interacting with humpback whales on the Silver Bank.
The Aquatic Adventures Team:
Denise Lawrence, Lorenzo Martinez ans Sten Johansson have been working with Aquatic Adventures for the past 6 to 8 seasons. The Aquatic Adventures Team collectively has 470 weeks of know-how in approaching, working and interacting with humpback whales.
Denise holds her USCG License, loves the whales and has spent her time absorbing all the “whale” knowledge available. She spends the rest of her time at the Dolphin Research Center in the Keys. Denise will again join us in 2013 for her 8th season.
Lorenzo lives in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. He has worked whales in Samana Bay and has joined the Aquatic Adventures Team full time in 2010. Prior to this, for 6 seasons Lorenzo was the representative of the Sanctuary for the Minister of the Environment. Lorenzo has excellent spotting skills, in-water understanding and tender operating abilities.
The Aquatic Adventures Team has been featured on the Today Show, in The Washington Post Magazine, and numerous newspapers and magazines worldwide. We have worked with numerous film and TV crews, most recently, Gregory Colbert (Ashes and Snow), working on his new project “Song of Sea”. We work hand-in-hand with the research community. In 2008 and 2009, we completed a two-year NOAA project placing 12 satellite tags on female humpback whales. This has given us incredible insight to their migration patterns. Every year our skills are honed and coupled with our understandings of behaviors assures you a serious advantage in humpback whale interaction.
Our Accommodations:
The “Turks and Caicos Explorer II” is the most stable platform available on the Silver Bank. At 124 ft long and 22 ft wide, equipped with hydraulic stabilizers, guarantees you the most comfortable ride to and from the Silver Bank.
The interior is clean; with large double occupancy rooms featuring private amenities and exceptional service by the crew. With a maximum of twenty passengers you’ll find numerous areas throughout the vessel to reflect peacefully on your days activities. The chef is extremely talented, accommodating, and creative. The meals are exceptional, especially for expeditions such as these. Our nightly presentations will entertain you as well as increase your knowledge of marine mammals.
Our Tenders:
“Escort and Challenger”, are the names of are tenders on the Silver Bank. They are clean, well maintained and reliable. Each fiberglass tender is 25 feet long with 10 feet of unobstructed inside beam, allowing you to move about freely.
When it comes to space to move throughout the tender, safety, comfort, equipment and engine maintenance schedules, there is no comparison. We have designed the tenders specifically for the Silver Bank with plenty of camera and equipment storage with splash rails keeping you extremely dry while working whales.
Incredible Surface Activity:
Cruising around the Silver Bank, watching the surface activity, is not like your normal whale watching tour. Researchers estimate between 5 to 7 thousand whales migrate through this area every season.The surface activity is truly amazing, breaching, lob tailing, fin slapping, spy hopping and rowdy groups.
To be within a 100 ft of this type of activity is extremely exciting. You will have the option of entering the water to experience our soft-in-water encounters (during passive behavior only). Even without our in-water experience, watching calves interact and roll, spy hop and play with the in-water participants is just as enjoyable.
“Soft-in-Water” Encounters Are Our Specialty:
Knowing how to work whales and knowing when to let them go is extremely important when trying to experience swimming with humpback whales on their terms. We developed the process and we are extremely good at it.
We will dazzle you with encounters, no matter when you join us. The real trick is working whales that aren’t cooperative and turning them into cooperative interactive whales, and that’s where we shine.
In Summary:
Aquatic Adventures has incredible experience on the Silver Bank, we have an experienced staff and we have the right equipment to make your experience safe and trouble free. We care about the whales and we care about you! Whether you decide to take the Aquatic Adventures experience or go with another operator, visit the Silver Bank, you will never forget it!
Happy Whales Tails,
Aquatic Adventures Team
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