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Blue Whale

Big Animals Expedition, Sri Lanka

Blue Whale - Big Animals Expedition
Worldwide Blue Whales experience	18 years
where	Sri Lanka
max no. of guests	4 (only divers/snorkeling)
departure	Feb. 21-28, Mar. 26-Apr. 2 and Apr. 2-9, 2016
duration	9 days
pricing	$9,700 per person (prices exclude airfare and are based on double occupancy)
accommodation	Land-based operation from Mosvold Villas
vessel	35 feet Araylia II
activities	Free diving / Snorkeling
temperature	In Water: 84°F;   Air: 90+°F

All photos Amos Nachoum
dates and prices subject to change without prior notice

For almost thirty years, Sri Lanka has been plagued by political turmoil. Paradoxically, this has resulted in the protection of marine wildlife in its surrounding waters. The government’s policy of forbidding civilians to fish or travel within ten miles offshore has allowed cetacean life such as the pygmy blue whale, sperm whale, and common and spinner dolphins, to flourish.

Five years ago, when the conflict ended, peace brought worldwide interest in Sri Lankan tourism. Whale watching boomed. Big Animals Expeditions, along with one of the largest local tour operators, determined that eco-tourism was crucial. Together, we encouraged the Sri Lanka navy to establish ecological standards to protect the whales’ environment while developing safe adventure access for research, whale watching, and diving.

BigAnimals Expeditions provides intimate encounters with these incredibly beautiful and gentle giants. In the warm blue waters off the southern tip of Sri Lanka where the visibility is an astonishing 100 feet of marine paradise with ocean temps well into the 80s, we will have the privilege of interacting with these magnificent whales in a way few humans will ever truly understand. Their commanding presence in the water is undeniable and overwhelming, and through this BigAnimals experience, you will become one of a select group of people lucky enough to share the sea with these amazing animals in such intimate quarters. Every effort is made not to disturb the whales. This is achieved by limiting our team only to four guests and when encounter time arrives we send only two people into the water to view the incoming whale.

Eco-Tourism

Whales are acoustically sensitive cetaceans that shy away from noise pollution. Big Animals Expeditions led the way in protecting these Sri Lankan whales. The country is now deeply involved in governing and protecting access to the species. Our quiet engines and experienced guides ensure a conscientious approach to the blue whales that navigate these warm, clear waters.

Joshua Barton - Expedition Leader

Joshua Barton is a u.s. businessman based in Bangalore, India. When not running his project management firm, Joshua is putting together diving and terrestrial expeditions to remote and biologically rich regions of the world. From whale sharks off Somaliland to Sun Bears in Sumatra, Joshua has shown an ability to conceptualize and execute unique excursions that cannot be bought with a click on a travel site.

Joshua shoots semi-professionally and besides being a contributor to publications through reuters, he also has published in International Wildlife, Saevus, Sanctuary, and many other magazines and books around the world. Since his son was very small, Joshua has devoted a big piece of the summer to taking his son nathan on expeditions all over the world; trips that combine adventures on land and sea and which also involve exposure to scientific and conservation work being carried out by worthy organizations.

From mantas off Mozambique to humpbacks in reunion, Joshua has shown his son some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife and the people working to conserve it.

General Itinerary

Please note that Sri Lanka now requires VISAs before arrival - please check with your country's consulate or embassy for details.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo: transfer to for overnight stay at colonial time architecture Galle Face hotel.

Day 2: Depart the following morning by private coach to beach front Mosvold Villas in Weligama.

Day 3- 8: Six days eight-hour days of searching for blue and sperm whales. Both lunch and water will be served on board. Bring maximum sun protection, long sleeved shirts, hats, and sunglasses for daily long distance cruising. Sea conditions are mostly calm to moderate, with rising winds in the afternoon.

Day 9: We pack up for our return to Colombo in time for an early evening visit to the Galle Face hotel. Sri Lanka’s iconic historic waterfront hotel built in 1864 is located in the heart of Colombo.

We provide you airport transfer according to your flight - majority of international flights depart late at night or in the early hours of the morning, just after midnight.

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Travel Documents:

US citizens are required to have a valid passport, Sri Lanka VISA, and round-trip air ticket.

Tour price includes:

• 1-night stay at Galle Face hotel in Colombo.
• transportation between all hotels and airports.
• 7 nights and 8 days stay at the four star Mosvold Villas hotel in Weligama.
• Breakfast at the hotel. Lunches will be provided on board the vessel
• Six days of searching and snorkeling with blue and sperm whales.
• only four guests
• Joshua Barton, expedition leader
• Filming permit. All fees and taxes

Not included in tour price:

• Gratuity to the vessel crew
• Items of private use
• Meals which are not specified
• unused portion of the activity due to weather or personal choice
• overweight luggage. drinks and taxes.

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info