A single private expedition aboard M/Y LIVA, built around two of the ocean's most remarkable wildlife encounters. Swim alongside resident sperm whales in Dominica, and observe humpback whale mothers and calves at the Silver Bank, with the flexibility, privacy, and comfort of private expedition travel.
The Caribbean offers a unique opportunity to combine several of the world's most remarkable marine wildlife encounters into a single private expedition. This voyage focuses on the region's two great whale destinations.
From swimming alongside resident sperm whales in Dominica to observing humpback whale mothers and calves in the Silver Bank, the programme brings two ocean giants together in one itinerary.
It combines world-class wildlife experiences with the flexibility, privacy, and comfort of private expedition travel. The pace is set by the weather and the whales, not the calendar.
Additional island experiences, conditions and access permitting: Trafalgar Falls and the Roseau Valley, Boiling Lake helicopter overflights, Champagne Reef snorkelling, Titou Gorge swimming excursions, Hampstead "Pirates of the Caribbean" black-sand beach, and the waterfalls, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes found throughout the island.
Dominica is widely regarded as one of the finest locations on Earth to encounter sperm whales. Several resident family groups inhabit the surrounding waters year-round, creating exceptional opportunities for both surface observation and carefully managed in-water encounters.
Using experienced spotters and hydrophone systems to locate the whales, you have the opportunity to spend time in the water alongside these extraordinary animals, observing their natural behaviour in the warm Caribbean waters. A minimum of five dedicated ocean days is recommended to maximise encounter opportunities and allow flexibility for weather and whale movements.
Operations can be conducted entirely using LIVA's tenders, with Prince Rupert Bay providing a sheltered and convenient anchorage for daily departures. Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica also offers pristine rainforest, dramatic volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches, endemic wildlife, and rich cultural heritage on non-whale days.
On the rugged northeast coast, the Chaudiere River Canyon offers one of the island's most beautiful freshwater swimming experiences. A short rainforest walk leads to a natural canyon where you can swim in deep emerald pools beneath cascading waterfalls and towering rock walls.
Near Portsmouth, the Indian River offers a tranquil journey through one of the Caribbean's most important mangrove ecosystems aboard traditional hand-rowed boats, gliding silently beneath overhanging rainforest. On the slopes of Morne Diablotin, the Syndicate Nature Trail walks through pristine primary rainforest, home to two endemic parrots: the Sisserou Parrot (Imperial Amazon), Dominica's national bird, and the Jaco Parrot (Red-necked Amazon).
Often referred to as Pirates of the Caribbean Beach, the wild black sand of Hampstead Beach served as a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and makes a dramatic setting for private beach picnics and photography. Further afield, conditions and access permitting: Trafalgar Falls and the Roseau Valley, Boiling Lake helicopter overflights, Champagne Reef snorkelling, Titou Gorge, Kalinago Territory cultural visits, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes throughout the island.
The Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary, located approximately 80 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic, is one of the world's premier locations for observing and, under permit, swimming with North Atlantic humpback whales during their annual breeding and calving season.
For a vessel of approximately 120 metres, the recommended model is to anchor inside the southern opening of the banks and use LIVA's tenders for half-day or full-day trips to the northern area (15 to 20 nautical miles from anchorage) to swim with the whales. Water depths across portions of the Bank typically range between 10 and 20 metres, and the tenders provide significantly greater flexibility than manoeuvring a large vessel in the shallower sections. Silver Bank is best accessed between Thursday and Monday to avoid commercial whale-watch operations, offering exclusivity to LIVA.
During peak season, you may encounter mothers and newborn calves, singing male humpback whales, competitive breeding groups, and breaching, tail slapping, and other surface behaviours, with carefully managed in-water encounters under permit. Access to the northern sections may be possible depending upon the Captain's operational assessment and prevailing conditions.
At present there are no marina facilities in the Dominican Republic capable of accommodating a yacht of LIVA's size; the largest marinas generally accept vessels up to approximately 250 feet (76 metres). The preferred model is for LIVA to remain at anchor while conducting guest, crew, luggage, and provisioning transfers by tender. Samana offers an excellent opportunity to anchor safely while conducting these operations, and a practical contingency location before or after Silver Bank.
Marina Puerto Bahia serves as the primary logistics hub (Latitude 19°11'39.4"N, Longitude 69°21'19.6"W), supporting guest arrivals and departures, provisioning, crew movements, luggage handling, fuel coordination, and general expedition support. For owners and guests arriving by private aircraft, Samana El Catey International Airport (AZS / MDCY) is the closest and most convenient, approximately 35 minutes from the marina. Two experienced Fixed Base Operators, Universal Aviation and Servair, support private aviation movements including customs and immigration coordination and ground handling.
Silver Bank access is strictly regulated and vessel permits are limited. Demand continues to increase, and multiple vessels have already expressed interest in the 2027 season, making early planning and permit applications highly advisable. EYOS would coordinate all necessary regulatory approvals, permitting requirements, operational planning, local support, and logistical arrangements in collaboration with Dominican authorities and sanctuary stakeholders.
Located on the western edge of Little Bahama Bank, Tiger Beach is considered the premier location in the world for reliable encounters with tiger sharks. The shallow sandy seafloor, crystal-clear water, and predictable shark presence create ideal conditions for underwater observation and photography, with diving that caters to all levels (water depth 6 to 15 metres).
Divers may encounter tiger sharks, great hammerhead sharks (seasonal), Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, and nurse sharks. Conditions are typically calm, with visibility often exceeding 30 metres, providing exceptional opportunities for both divers and photographers.
Professionally managed shark encounters allow guests to experience these apex predators in a controlled and respectful environment. This is a public dive site used by other operators, so LIVA's access here is not exclusive.
From Samana and the Silver Bank in the north to the resident sperm whales of Dominica in the south, routed north or south of Puerto Rico to minimise swell. Click any stop to explore.
Fly into Samana El Catey International Airport, with about one hour of private car service to embark the vessel anchored in Samana Bay. To reduce passage making, an alternative is jet arrival to Puerto Plata, then transfer to LIVA at Silver Bank by helicopter or tender.
Reposition from anchorage to the entrance of Silver Bank. LIVA enters the banks and anchors, scouting for whales during the passage. Once anchored, depart by tender to swim with the whales, subject to permit and conditions.
A day inside the banks snorkelling with humpback whales, where permitted, working the multiple whale concentration areas across the sanctuary from LIVA's tenders.
A further day inside the banks snorkelling with humpback whales, where permitted, with whale watching and photography from the tenders and exploration of multiple whale concentration areas.
Two days at sea in transit toward Dominica. Transit can be routed to the north or south of Puerto Rico to minimise swell. Itineraries are planned to avoid long passages, with about two days maximum at sea. The Turks and Caicos Islands are en route and offer a great break during a longer transit.
Arrive at Prince Rupert Bay. Tenders depart for swimming with sperm whales. Alternative activity: the Chaudiere River Canyon, a short rainforest walk to a natural canyon with deep emerald pools beneath cascading waterfalls.
In the morning, tenders depart for swimming with sperm whales. In the afternoon, explore the Hampstead Pirates of the Caribbean black-sand beach and a private beach picnic.
In the morning, tenders depart for swimming with sperm whales. Alternative activity: hike the Morne Diablotin and Syndicate Nature Trail, home to the endemic Sisserou and Jaco parrots.
Indian River mangrove exploration aboard traditional hand-rowed boats. A beach barbecue for dinner.
In the morning, tenders depart for a final swim with the sperm whales, a last day in the water before the voyage concludes.
Disembark in Dominica. Each destination can also be visited as a standalone trip, or combined, working south to north or vice versa, as time and conditions permit.
Each destination works as a standalone trip, or the two combine into one voyage, north to south or south to north. The itinerary is planned to break up the destinations and avoid long passages, with about two days maximum at sea.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are en route and offer a break on a longer crossing. The Tiger Beach extension is being finalised separately.
The private expedition platform for the voyage, a vessel of approximately 120 metres. All whale activity is run from LIVA's tenders, which provide the flexibility to reach the sperm whales of Dominica and the humpbacks of the Silver Bank where a large vessel cannot easily manoeuvre.
LIVA remains at anchor while guest, crew, luggage, and provisioning transfers are conducted by tender, so the day is set by the whales and the weather rather than the harbour.
Resident sperm whales in Dominica and humpback whales at the Silver Bank, aboard M/Y LIVA, planned with the flexibility, privacy, and comfort of private expedition travel.