HUMPBACK WHALE-WATCHING CRUISES in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
The mere mention of swimming & snorkeling with gentle-giant humpback whales will prod the pulse of nearly any man or woman who loves the ocean. And if a luxury Whale-Watching Cruise has been a prime item on your Bucket List for years, we can make it happen for you, quick as a spark in your heart & a phone call to keep it lit... Felicitaciones, amigos del mar! (Congrats, friends of the sea.) If you're reading this today, you're one step closer to meeting the world-renowned humpback whales of the Dominican Republic's Silver Bank, just off the northern shore. Thank you for coming to Live-Aboards.com & Conscious Breath Adventures. We promise to work exceptionally hard to exceed all your expectations & we hope the info in this guide is helpful. Please enjoy "cruising & perusing" this set of Whale-Watching pages for details on the trip, the Caribbean location, how to fly there, where to stay before & after your cruise, what to bring, & a lot more. Please always feel free to call John, Susan or L.J. at Live-Aboards.com if you have any further questions; 952-953-4124.
The Silver Bank: where & what is it?
The Silver Bank is situated about 70 miles (110 km) north of the Dominican Republic's northern coast -- almost the same distance southeast of the Turks & Caicos Islands -- in the Antilles. Surrounded by ocean waters several thousand feet deep, the 10 x 20 mile (16 x 32 km) submerged limestone plateau, called a "bank," rises to an average depth of 100 feet (30 meters), & 60 feet (18 meters) or less in the shallower areas. The northeastern edge of the bank hosts an impressive chain of vivid life-rich coral heads. Near the densest part of the reef is the designated anchorage, where we moor for the duration of our visit, making the yacht an excursion hub for daily outings in smaller skiffs.
The Marine Mammal Sanctuary on the D.R.'s Silver Bank
In October 1986, the Dominican Republic recognized the vital importance of the Silver Bank by establishing the Silver Bank Sanctuary. Then the Dominican Republic strengthened that commitment in July 1996, when a presidential decree enlarged the Sanctuary to its current size & renamed it the Sanctuary for Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic. This Sanctuary encompasses not only the shallower calving and breeding grounds of the Silver Bank, Navidad Banks, & Samana Bay, but also all of the deeper ocean waters between, which are heavily traveled migration routes for whales headed to other parts of the Antilles island chain. As part of the Sanctuary, all activity on the Silver Bank must follow strict guidelines established by the office of the Sub-Secretariat of Protected Areas & Biodiversity of the Dominican Republic, & overseen by the on-site Coordinator of the Silver Bank. Among other things, these guidelines limit the number of vessels on the Silver Bank. In fact, no vessel may visit the Silver Bank, ever, without a coveted government permit.
As a guest of U.S. Dive Travel Network / Live-Aboards.com you will be traveling into this humpback whale habitat with an authorized holder of one of only three such permits currently issued. This limits the total number of visitors to the Silver Bank to fewer than 60 clients per week, & only about 540 in an entire season. These conservative numbers help protect the whales from excessive contact, while an added benefit for the guests is that they also eliminate annoying over-crowding of these amazingly bio-diverse waters. Typically the daily excursions aboard our tenders are up to 4 miles (6.5 km) from the anchorage -- often less. This leaves the vast expanse of the Sanctuary almost completely unvisited. It also means that on a planet with a human population of 7 billion, visitors to the Silver Bank are part of a very, very small percentage of people lucky enough to experience one of the most fascinating natural wonders of the world.
Trip Details: What does your Whale-Watching Vacation Package include?
Here are the basics & they are generous -- 7 nights & 6 days accommodations aboard, starting with guests boarding Saturday evening at approximately 5:00 pm; and disembarking the following Saturday morning at about 8:00 am. You will have 5 full days on the Silver Bank with up to four and one half (4.5) days of tender (small boat) time to look for whales, up to 9 tender excursions, weather permitting -- per Sanctuary rules. Here's what else you will enjoy...
What is not included in your Whale-Watching Vacation Package?
A Typical Day on your HUMPBACK WHALE-WATCHING TOUR:
BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV DECK MAPS
The Marine Mammal Sanctuary on the D.R.'s Silver Bank
In October 1986, the Dominican Republic recognized the vital importance of the Silver Bank by establishing the Silver Bank Sanctuary. Then the Dominican Republic strengthened that commitment in July 1996, when a presidential decree enlarged the Sanctuary to its current size & renamed it the Sanctuary for Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic. This Sanctuary encompasses not only the shallower calving and breeding grounds of the Silver Bank, Navidad Banks, & Samana Bay, but also all of the deeper ocean waters between, which are heavily traveled migration routes for whales headed to other parts of the Antilles island chain. As part of the Sanctuary, all activity on the Silver Bank must follow strict guidelines established by the office of the Sub-Secretariat of Protected Areas & Biodiversity of the Dominican Republic, & overseen by the on-site Coordinator of the Silver Bank. Among other things, these guidelines limit the number of vessels on the Silver Bank. In fact, no vessel may visit the Silver Bank, ever, without a coveted government permit.
As a guest of U.S. Dive Travel Network / Live-Aboards.com you will be traveling into this humpback whale habitat with an authorized holder of one of only three such permits currently issued. This limits the total number of visitors to the Silver Bank to fewer than 60 clients per week, & only about 540 in an entire season. These conservative numbers help protect the whales from excessive contact, while an added benefit for the guests is that they also eliminate annoying over-crowding of these amazingly bio-diverse waters. Typically the daily excursions aboard our tenders are up to 4 miles (6.5 km) from the anchorage -- often less. This leaves the vast expanse of the Sanctuary almost completely unvisited. It also means that on a planet with a human population of 7 billion, visitors to the Silver Bank are part of a very, very small percentage of people lucky enough to experience one of the most fascinating natural wonders of the world.
Trip Details: What does your Whale-Watching Vacation Package include?
Here are the basics & they are generous -- 7 nights & 6 days accommodations aboard, starting with guests boarding Saturday evening at approximately 5:00 pm; and disembarking the following Saturday morning at about 8:00 am. You will have 5 full days on the Silver Bank with up to four and one half (4.5) days of tender (small boat) time to look for whales, up to 9 tender excursions, weather permitting -- per Sanctuary rules. Here's what else you will enjoy...
- Three meals a day aboard the vessel, except for the last (Friday) night, which will be ashore at guest’s expense.
- Morning and afternoon snack.
- All beverages, including carbonated, non-carbonated, and alcoholic; a limited selection of beer (local) and wine is provided. Distilled spirits are not provided, but may be brought on board the vessel if desired.
- Morning in-room beverage service.
- Nightly turn down service.
- Fresh towel service daily
- Entertainment library.
What is not included in your Whale-Watching Vacation Package?
- Any airfare or airfare related expenses
- Tourist Card required at arrival airport (US$10 cash at arrival airport).
- Excess baggage/lost baggage charges.
- Transfers to & from or between airport, hotel, vessel, bus station, tours; any ground transportation.
- Hotels or any type of shore accommodations.
- Airport departure taxes (US$20 cash at departure airport).
- Any Sanctuary & Port Fees (currently $250 pp, fees subject to change).
- Any Fuel Surcharges (estimated $175 pp, surcharge subject to change, final rate set December 15 each season).
- USDT Tourist Tariff (USD $75 pp with invoice PIF.)
- Gratuity for Crew (10% of retail price suggested).
- Any additional Permit Fees required for professional photography or videography in the Sanctuary.
- Dinner the last (Friday) night, which will be ashore.
- Distilled spirits or hard alcohol beyond the supplied beer (local) and wine.
- Snorkeling and/or camera/video equipment rental.
- Souvenir Video DVD, and/or Photo CD, and/or Audio CD.
- Souvenir t-shirts and/or sundries.
A Typical Day on your HUMPBACK WHALE-WATCHING TOUR:
- After breakfast we get our gear ready and promptly board the tenders for the morning, ready to see and swim with whales
- Our goal is to spend as much time in the water with the whales as they are comfortable with. We return to the Belize Aggressor IV around mid-day, depending on what’s going on.
- After a delicious lunch and short break, we are back out on the water for the afternoon.
- The cocktail hour is a time-honored, sun-kissed tradition in which we share a beverage, canapé & tales of the day.
- Dinners in the main salon are eaten as a group with wonderful service from the crew. After dinner, most evenings offer an informative short presentation and discussion. Then, enjoy the stars from the top-deck or comfort of your cabin and rest for more whale adventures tomorrow!
BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV DECK MAPS
The Luxury Live-Aboard Experience / What Life is Like Aboard Belize Aggressor IV:
All Belize Aggressor IV staterooms are individually air-conditioned & fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Some toiletries are available for your use onboard. The yacht is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week & fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as requested. Each stateroom has a television with DVD player & a large panoramic window. The Sun Deck also offers comfy lounge chairs & hammocks.
In the main salon, the Belize Aggressor IV has a multi-system TV/Video, a compact disc player, a DVD player and stereo with connections for iPods. etc. There is also a small library in the salon, as well as consoles for charging small electronics. The electrical current on the Belize Aggressor IV is 110 volts/60Hz AC (American standard outlets).
There is ample storage space in your cabin, including hanging closets and hangers, drawers, and space under the beds, but it is a good idea to pack in soft-sided luggage (duffel bags), not hard suitcases. That will ensure that your bags fit under the beds and you will have room to spare.
English is the primary language spoken on-board. Spanish is also spoken by some crew members.
The three daily meals, prepared by our on-board chef, are a delicious international mix with a local flair. Breakfast (cooked to order), hearty buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with table-side service are served daily in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (including beer and wine) are complimentary while onboard. Distilled spirits are not provided but guests are welcome to bring aboard their own to enjoy. The D.R. allows 2 duty-free liters per guest, in most cases.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare to meet your needs. Vegetarian and vegan meals are not a problem with prior notice. However, certain special dietary and beverage requests may not be available on a consistent basis due to the remote nature of this location so advanced planning may be required. Be sure to give us a heads-up notice 5-6 months out, so we can help the chefs plan well for your needs.
Please note that smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas only, but we prefer that no guests smoke on board.
SERVICE FEATURES of the AGGRESSOR FLEET's MOST POPULAR BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV CRUISES:
- 138 ft x 26 ft monohull for 20 divers
- Transfers between Airport & Belize Aggressor IV
- Fresh baked mid-morning & mid-afternoon snacks
- Breakfast served to your table with fresh-squeezed juices daily
- Buffet lunch including soup, salad & several options
- Choice of 2 entrees at 4 course dinner served to your table
- Nitrox Fills & Certifications available
- Large picture window views from Main Deck staterooms
- Individually controlled air conditioning in each stateroom
- Individual volume controls for music in each stateroom
- Spacious Sky Deck with hammocks
- Free Buoyancy Control Workshop offered every week
- Fresh towels in stateroom are changed daily
- Divers are responsible for their own dive profiles
- Dive Alert on all rental equipment
- Safety Sausages & Dive Alerts available for use free of charge
- Nightly slide shows & entertainment
- Up to 5 dives per day including night dives
- Morning coffee service to your stateroom
- Daily E-6 photo processing available
- Nightly turn-down bed service
TECHNICAL LIVE-ABOARD SPEC's for the BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV:
- Port of Registry: Belize
- Former Name: Ranger V
- Built: Derektor
- Construction: Aluminum
- Type: Mono Hull
- Length: 138 feet
- Beam: 26 feet
- Max Passengers: 20
- Staterooms: 10
- Number of Crew: 10
- Number of tenders: 2 (32 & 28 feet) safe boats, 400 hp jet engines
- Fuel Capacity: 5700 gallons
- Fresh Water Capacity: 3500 gallons
- Desalinator Production: 3200 gallons per day
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots
- Range: 1200 nautical miles
- Navigation Aids: VHF, SSB, Radar, Echo Sounder,
- Auto pilot, GPS, Weather Fax
- Oxygen On Board: Yes
- Compressor: 2
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Air-conditioning: all areas indoors
Travel Information: How to get to the boat once you land in the Dominican Republic...
Our port of embarkation for your journey to the Silver Bank is the Cofresi Beach area a few miles west of the gateway city of Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. We sail from Ocean World Marina, the only full service marina on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. A tourist destination featuring an adventure park, restaurant and casino, Ocean World Marina is where your transportation will deliver you to board the vessel on Saturday afternoon, and where you will disembark at the end of your adventure.
It is anticipated that all passengers will arrive in the Dominican Republic by air. In Puerto Plata, the Gregorio Luperon International Airport (airport code POP) is closest to the Ocean World Marina. Transport from the airport to Cofresi should take about 30 minutes, less to area hotels. Another option is Cibao International Airport, located in Santiago (airport code STI). Transport from Santiago to Cofresi is about 90 minutes. Be advised that since airfares and flight times can vary significantly between POP and STI, you may want to investigate both options keeping in mind the differences in costs for ground transportation. Other international airports are available but will add significantly to travel time and expense.
Guests board the vessel Saturday afternoon at 5:00 pm. We recommend that if you will be flying from, or connecting through, any airport that may be affected by winter weather, or are arriving from outside of North America, you should consider arriving at least the day before embarkation, on Friday. This will allow time to overcome any delays in travel or baggage issues that may occur en route.
You are required to have a valid passport and have proof of return or onward ticket. Depending upon your citizenship, you might also be required to obtain a visa. Please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for your destination. US citizens do not need a visa; please see below about the required tourist card.
Visitors who do not obtain a Dominican visa prior to entry must purchase a tourist card upon arrival to enter the country. Tourist cards cost $10 U.S., which must be paid in cash at the airport. Tourist cards normally permit a legal stay of up to 60 days. Customs formalities are usually quick and trouble free. Tourists are allowed personal articles for use during their stay. These include items of personal adornment, apparel, toiletries and portable articles that someone can reasonably be expected to use during their stay.
Transfers to the marina to board BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV:
Once in the DR, guests have two options for ground transportation: local cab or pre-arranged transfer. For small parties of 2-3, local taxis are efficient and cost effective. At the airport assertive but polite porters will, with your permission, help you to curbside where professional taxis stand by. Gratuities of a dollar a bag for the porter are appreciated. Taxi fares to all popular destinations are plainly posted at the taxi stand so you need not fear being “taken for a ride”. Another option is to pre-arrange a transfer through a transportation company. In this case a uniformed driver will identify himself by holding a sign with your name on it. The van will then carry you to your destination. This can be very economical for groups of 3 or more. Traveling solo, if you fly into POP, you can expect to pay approximately $125 U.S. in total for all your ground transportation needs, per person, for your whole trip. If you fly into STI, that figure will be approximately $250. Couples and groups can split these costs.
Our port of embarkation for your journey to the Silver Bank is the Cofresi Beach area a few miles west of the gateway city of Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. We sail from Ocean World Marina, the only full service marina on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. A tourist destination featuring an adventure park, restaurant and casino, Ocean World Marina is where your transportation will deliver you to board the vessel on Saturday afternoon, and where you will disembark at the end of your adventure.
It is anticipated that all passengers will arrive in the Dominican Republic by air. In Puerto Plata, the Gregorio Luperon International Airport (airport code POP) is closest to the Ocean World Marina. Transport from the airport to Cofresi should take about 30 minutes, less to area hotels. Another option is Cibao International Airport, located in Santiago (airport code STI). Transport from Santiago to Cofresi is about 90 minutes. Be advised that since airfares and flight times can vary significantly between POP and STI, you may want to investigate both options keeping in mind the differences in costs for ground transportation. Other international airports are available but will add significantly to travel time and expense.
Guests board the vessel Saturday afternoon at 5:00 pm. We recommend that if you will be flying from, or connecting through, any airport that may be affected by winter weather, or are arriving from outside of North America, you should consider arriving at least the day before embarkation, on Friday. This will allow time to overcome any delays in travel or baggage issues that may occur en route.
You are required to have a valid passport and have proof of return or onward ticket. Depending upon your citizenship, you might also be required to obtain a visa. Please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for your destination. US citizens do not need a visa; please see below about the required tourist card.
Visitors who do not obtain a Dominican visa prior to entry must purchase a tourist card upon arrival to enter the country. Tourist cards cost $10 U.S., which must be paid in cash at the airport. Tourist cards normally permit a legal stay of up to 60 days. Customs formalities are usually quick and trouble free. Tourists are allowed personal articles for use during their stay. These include items of personal adornment, apparel, toiletries and portable articles that someone can reasonably be expected to use during their stay.
Transfers to the marina to board BELIZE AGGRESSOR IV:
Once in the DR, guests have two options for ground transportation: local cab or pre-arranged transfer. For small parties of 2-3, local taxis are efficient and cost effective. At the airport assertive but polite porters will, with your permission, help you to curbside where professional taxis stand by. Gratuities of a dollar a bag for the porter are appreciated. Taxi fares to all popular destinations are plainly posted at the taxi stand so you need not fear being “taken for a ride”. Another option is to pre-arrange a transfer through a transportation company. In this case a uniformed driver will identify himself by holding a sign with your name on it. The van will then carry you to your destination. This can be very economical for groups of 3 or more. Traveling solo, if you fly into POP, you can expect to pay approximately $125 U.S. in total for all your ground transportation needs, per person, for your whole trip. If you fly into STI, that figure will be approximately $250. Couples and groups can split these costs.
About our partner, Capt. Gene Flipse, skipper of the Whale-Watching Cruises:
President of Conscious Breath Adventures, with a lifetime of experience on the water, Capt. Gene Flipse has been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain for over twenty five years. Capt. Flipse holds a 100 Ton Near Coastal Master’s License, as well as STCW 95 Certification (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). A career professional, before starting Conscious Breath Adventures Gene spent twelve years as captain aboard liveaboard dive boats operating on the waters of Florida; the Bahamas; and the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic on the Silver Bank.
Gene has 80 weeks of direct experience with the humpback whales of the Silver Bank, gained over the course of ten seasons. He also has over a decade of experience guiding guests to in-water encounters with wild Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins in the Bahamas. Capt. Flipse also has worked & played with pacific spinner dolphins; pan-tropical spotted dolphins; sperm whales, minke whales; pilot whales; sea turtles; whale sharks; manta rays; & a wide variety of sharks.
An avid watersports enthusiast all of his life, Gene has been a competitive swimmer & water polo player; a certified life guard; a certified sailing instructor; & an active free diver and scuba diver. First certified as an open water scuba diver in 1980, he now holds numerous advanced scuba certifications that include Nitrox Diver; Technical Nitrox Diver; Nitrox Gas Blender; Extended Range & Decompression Procedures; Cavern Diver; Rescue Diver; Technical Divemaster; and is certified to dive KISS closed-circuit rebreathers. In addition, he is certified in CPR and Basic First Aid.
Over the years, Capt. Flipse’s work has found him supporting researchers, explorers, film makers, photographers, & conservation organizations. In addition to his time on the Silver Bank Gene works seasonally as part of a large team of top marine mammal scientists, researchers & veterinarians representing the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducting a multi-year Level A Health & Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) of bottlenose dolphins in the waters of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, & Charleston, South Carolina, having participated in nine field operations to date.
Gene has supported the expeditions of top marine cave explorers Rob Palmer of the Bahamas Blue Holes Foundation, & others. These blue hole expeditions have also supported blue hole explorer/conservationist Brian Kakuk and Dr. Tom Iliffe, a top researcher in the field of bio-speleology, as together they have discovered new species; surveyed and documented unexplored cave systems; & worked with the Bahamas National Trust to establish guidelines to protect these fragile & unique ecosystems.
Gene has also worked with renowned shark researcher Dr. Samuel “Sonny” Gruber in support of his long term lemon shark and tiger shark research project being conducted at the Bimini Biological Field Station in Bimini, Bahamas, an effort that has produced one of the largest data sets for any shark species in the world.
In 2010, Capt. Flipse performed consulting work for the Okeanos Foundation on their Vaka Moana Project, an ambitious cultural and environmental project to use traditional Polynesian sailing canoes to spread a message of traditional values, sustainability and conservation. For ten weeks he worked with expert Polynesian crewmen to use a vaka as a platform for whale watching and swimming with the whales of Vava’u, Tonga.
Film support work has included camera crews from National Geographic Explorer as they filmed the humpback whales of the Silver Bank; and spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sharks, and blue hole caves in the Bahamas (twice). He acted as captain and guide in the Bahamas as director/cinematographer Paul Adkins filmed the National Geographic Television special “Dolphins: The Wild Side.”
Other natural history documentaries have featured the blue hole caves and the annual nassau grouper spawning aggregations of the Bahamas. He worked on the IMAX production of the film “Ocean Men,” directed and photographed by award-winning underwater photographer/cinematographer, Bob Talbot.
Gene has worked with conservation organizations and videographers including Capt. Jeff Pantukhoff of the Whaleman Foundation, & noted conservationist film maker Hardy Jones, of Blue Voice on his production of the PBS broadcast, “Dolphin Defender.” Hardy Jones’ tenacious documentary film making techniques have helped to publicize the threat of tuna nets to dolphins; the notorious dolphin drive slaughters in Japan; and the growing threat of toxic contamination.
Capt. Flipse also has worked as captain and diver in support of feature films, including Walt Disney Production’s “Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3″; and is proud to have worked with the Oceanic Preservation Society in Japan in support of their production of the Academy-award winning documentary, "The Cove." During all this time Gene has had the good fortune to work alongside many of the top professionals in their fields.
Gene has an undying enthusiasm for the daily adventure of being on and in the water that, when combined with his hard work ethic, ensures that guests have the most rewarding experience possible. He is intelligent, organized and thoughtful. Combined, these traits have earned Capt. Flipse the respect of not only his guests aboard, but also the respect of professionals in all sectors of the diving and marine industries.
Gene's co-captain, Jeff Pantukhoff
Jeff is a licensed Coast Guard Captain, a Naui Dive Instructor & Dive Master, a whale and dolphin researcher, an international award-winning marine life filmmaker and photographer specializing in dolphins, whales and sharks, and is the founder and creator of The Whaleman Foundation and the Save the Whales Again! Campaign. He has also guided over 100 dolphin & whale eco-adventure travel tours to the Bahamas, San Ignacio Lagoon, the Silver Bank, French Polynesia, Tonga, Alaska, The Great Barrier Reef, and the San Juan Islands.
In 1995, Jeff founded “The Whaleman Foundation," a non-profit oceanic research, education, production, and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and protecting dolphins, whales, and our oceans. The Foundation’s primary mission is to raise public awareness while educating key decision-makers on the issues that effect cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) and their critical ocean habitats. Whaleman is accomplishing this by taking its research and production team into the field and producing films and public service announcements (PSAs) about these issues while fostering international cooperation with other like-minded organizations.
Since Whaleman’s inception, Jeff has written, directed, and produced seven films on the critical issues facing cetaceans and their environment including “Gray Magic: The Plight of San Ignacio Lagoon,” “Orcas in Crisis: The Plight of the Southern Resident Orcas,” and “Deadly Sounds in the Silent World: The Dangers of High Intensity Active Sonars,” which won “Best Short Film” at the 2003 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Jeff’s latest film featuring Hayden Panettiere is titled “Whale Entanglements: A Deadly Problem” and was recently premiered and shown to the delegates attending the 2012 meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
Jeff’s unique images and words have appeared in Ocean Realm, Sport Diver, Discover Diving, and Dive International magazines. His photographs have won several international awards. He has had the privilege of working with some of the most respected names in the world of underwater filmmaking including Howard and Michele Hall, Bob Talbot, Hardy Jones, and Norbert Wu. Jeff’s film credits include IMAX’s “Into the Deep,” Discovery Channel’s “The Ocean Acrobats” and “Extreme Machines: Raiders of the Deep,” PBS’s “Secrets of the Ocean Realm,” CBS’s “Survivor,” Outdoor Life Network’s “Deadly Waters: Whales in Danger,” “WhaleDreamers” and the Oscar winning documentary film “The Cove.”
Jeff’s current projects include his first feature length documentary film and his global conservation campaign called “Save the Whales Again!" From 1996 – 2006, Jeff researched humpback whales with Dr. Marsha Green of the Ocean Mammal Institute in the Hawaiian Islands, studying their social sound production and behaviors. Since 2009, Jeff has been researching the effects of toxic pollution and the bio accumulation of toxins in cetaceans collaborating with Dr. Roger Payne of Ocean Alliance and Dr. John Wise of Southern Maine Universty.
Jeff’s passion, commitment, and dedication keep him on the forefront of marine related issues and interests worldwide. He strongly believes that international cooperation is the key to solving the many issues that face our marine environment and he demonstrates this by donating the use of his images and film footage while working closely with other environmental organizations working on behalf of marine life including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), The Ocean Mammal Institute, and Ocean Alliance.
Gene has 80 weeks of direct experience with the humpback whales of the Silver Bank, gained over the course of ten seasons. He also has over a decade of experience guiding guests to in-water encounters with wild Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins in the Bahamas. Capt. Flipse also has worked & played with pacific spinner dolphins; pan-tropical spotted dolphins; sperm whales, minke whales; pilot whales; sea turtles; whale sharks; manta rays; & a wide variety of sharks.
An avid watersports enthusiast all of his life, Gene has been a competitive swimmer & water polo player; a certified life guard; a certified sailing instructor; & an active free diver and scuba diver. First certified as an open water scuba diver in 1980, he now holds numerous advanced scuba certifications that include Nitrox Diver; Technical Nitrox Diver; Nitrox Gas Blender; Extended Range & Decompression Procedures; Cavern Diver; Rescue Diver; Technical Divemaster; and is certified to dive KISS closed-circuit rebreathers. In addition, he is certified in CPR and Basic First Aid.
Over the years, Capt. Flipse’s work has found him supporting researchers, explorers, film makers, photographers, & conservation organizations. In addition to his time on the Silver Bank Gene works seasonally as part of a large team of top marine mammal scientists, researchers & veterinarians representing the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducting a multi-year Level A Health & Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) of bottlenose dolphins in the waters of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, & Charleston, South Carolina, having participated in nine field operations to date.
Gene has supported the expeditions of top marine cave explorers Rob Palmer of the Bahamas Blue Holes Foundation, & others. These blue hole expeditions have also supported blue hole explorer/conservationist Brian Kakuk and Dr. Tom Iliffe, a top researcher in the field of bio-speleology, as together they have discovered new species; surveyed and documented unexplored cave systems; & worked with the Bahamas National Trust to establish guidelines to protect these fragile & unique ecosystems.
Gene has also worked with renowned shark researcher Dr. Samuel “Sonny” Gruber in support of his long term lemon shark and tiger shark research project being conducted at the Bimini Biological Field Station in Bimini, Bahamas, an effort that has produced one of the largest data sets for any shark species in the world.
In 2010, Capt. Flipse performed consulting work for the Okeanos Foundation on their Vaka Moana Project, an ambitious cultural and environmental project to use traditional Polynesian sailing canoes to spread a message of traditional values, sustainability and conservation. For ten weeks he worked with expert Polynesian crewmen to use a vaka as a platform for whale watching and swimming with the whales of Vava’u, Tonga.
Film support work has included camera crews from National Geographic Explorer as they filmed the humpback whales of the Silver Bank; and spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sharks, and blue hole caves in the Bahamas (twice). He acted as captain and guide in the Bahamas as director/cinematographer Paul Adkins filmed the National Geographic Television special “Dolphins: The Wild Side.”
Other natural history documentaries have featured the blue hole caves and the annual nassau grouper spawning aggregations of the Bahamas. He worked on the IMAX production of the film “Ocean Men,” directed and photographed by award-winning underwater photographer/cinematographer, Bob Talbot.
Gene has worked with conservation organizations and videographers including Capt. Jeff Pantukhoff of the Whaleman Foundation, & noted conservationist film maker Hardy Jones, of Blue Voice on his production of the PBS broadcast, “Dolphin Defender.” Hardy Jones’ tenacious documentary film making techniques have helped to publicize the threat of tuna nets to dolphins; the notorious dolphin drive slaughters in Japan; and the growing threat of toxic contamination.
Capt. Flipse also has worked as captain and diver in support of feature films, including Walt Disney Production’s “Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3″; and is proud to have worked with the Oceanic Preservation Society in Japan in support of their production of the Academy-award winning documentary, "The Cove." During all this time Gene has had the good fortune to work alongside many of the top professionals in their fields.
Gene has an undying enthusiasm for the daily adventure of being on and in the water that, when combined with his hard work ethic, ensures that guests have the most rewarding experience possible. He is intelligent, organized and thoughtful. Combined, these traits have earned Capt. Flipse the respect of not only his guests aboard, but also the respect of professionals in all sectors of the diving and marine industries.
Gene's co-captain, Jeff Pantukhoff
Jeff is a licensed Coast Guard Captain, a Naui Dive Instructor & Dive Master, a whale and dolphin researcher, an international award-winning marine life filmmaker and photographer specializing in dolphins, whales and sharks, and is the founder and creator of The Whaleman Foundation and the Save the Whales Again! Campaign. He has also guided over 100 dolphin & whale eco-adventure travel tours to the Bahamas, San Ignacio Lagoon, the Silver Bank, French Polynesia, Tonga, Alaska, The Great Barrier Reef, and the San Juan Islands.
In 1995, Jeff founded “The Whaleman Foundation," a non-profit oceanic research, education, production, and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and protecting dolphins, whales, and our oceans. The Foundation’s primary mission is to raise public awareness while educating key decision-makers on the issues that effect cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) and their critical ocean habitats. Whaleman is accomplishing this by taking its research and production team into the field and producing films and public service announcements (PSAs) about these issues while fostering international cooperation with other like-minded organizations.
Since Whaleman’s inception, Jeff has written, directed, and produced seven films on the critical issues facing cetaceans and their environment including “Gray Magic: The Plight of San Ignacio Lagoon,” “Orcas in Crisis: The Plight of the Southern Resident Orcas,” and “Deadly Sounds in the Silent World: The Dangers of High Intensity Active Sonars,” which won “Best Short Film” at the 2003 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Jeff’s latest film featuring Hayden Panettiere is titled “Whale Entanglements: A Deadly Problem” and was recently premiered and shown to the delegates attending the 2012 meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
Jeff’s unique images and words have appeared in Ocean Realm, Sport Diver, Discover Diving, and Dive International magazines. His photographs have won several international awards. He has had the privilege of working with some of the most respected names in the world of underwater filmmaking including Howard and Michele Hall, Bob Talbot, Hardy Jones, and Norbert Wu. Jeff’s film credits include IMAX’s “Into the Deep,” Discovery Channel’s “The Ocean Acrobats” and “Extreme Machines: Raiders of the Deep,” PBS’s “Secrets of the Ocean Realm,” CBS’s “Survivor,” Outdoor Life Network’s “Deadly Waters: Whales in Danger,” “WhaleDreamers” and the Oscar winning documentary film “The Cove.”
Jeff’s current projects include his first feature length documentary film and his global conservation campaign called “Save the Whales Again!" From 1996 – 2006, Jeff researched humpback whales with Dr. Marsha Green of the Ocean Mammal Institute in the Hawaiian Islands, studying their social sound production and behaviors. Since 2009, Jeff has been researching the effects of toxic pollution and the bio accumulation of toxins in cetaceans collaborating with Dr. Roger Payne of Ocean Alliance and Dr. John Wise of Southern Maine Universty.
Jeff’s passion, commitment, and dedication keep him on the forefront of marine related issues and interests worldwide. He strongly believes that international cooperation is the key to solving the many issues that face our marine environment and he demonstrates this by donating the use of his images and film footage while working closely with other environmental organizations working on behalf of marine life including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), The Ocean Mammal Institute, and Ocean Alliance.
NOTE #1: All your remaining questions on local customs, weather, necessary packing, sailing itineraries & what to expect in the water with these magnificent whales, will be answered in the follow-up webpages linked to this info hub.
NOTE #2: (All whale-watching photos are copyrighted by our friend & partner Captain Gene Flipse, founder & operations chief of Conscious Breath Adventures. Some text blocks on this page were provided by Gene for Live-Aboards.com.)
NOTE #2: (All whale-watching photos are copyrighted by our friend & partner Captain Gene Flipse, founder & operations chief of Conscious Breath Adventures. Some text blocks on this page were provided by Gene for Live-Aboards.com.)