News, Travel & Events

Staff · Issue 140, Sep/Oct 2024 · pp. 7–13

For the 4th year, Gregory Sweeney will host a trip to the rainforest island paradise of Dominica in the Caribbean to swim with the resident sperm whales. Sperm Whale come to the waters around the Island of Dominica in the Caribbean to feed at its surrounding deep sea trench. Rain washes mineral rich water down from the volcanic peaks of the island which spawns squids and marine creatures creating the perfect source of food for the whales. The resident sperm whales are mostly females in extended families of grandmothers, mothers and daughters all working together to protect and raise their young. Mother and calf pairs are common. Sometimes we see the escort males. We encounter Sperm Whales at the surface where they are resting and often napping between their deep dives to get squid meals. The rules of encounters are easy to follow but strictly adhered to and when a whale became stressed b…