An introduction to whale and dolphin watching holidays

We are very pleased to again present our comprehensive range of responsible Whale and Dolphin watching holidays. On most of our departures, other aspects of the natural world are observed and enjoyed too. We offer experiences that are fun, educational and memorable in the company of like-minded people and led by some of the world’s top naturalist guides whose enthusiasm for their subject will quickly be transferred to you. Our prices are second to none; we often use overseas tour operators based in the destination country so that you get to be shown round by someone who really knows their local area.

Whale watching is very addictive, you have been warned! Cetaceans are often found in some of the most spectacularly wild and beautiful places. Our programme ranges from Bay of Biscay minicruises to Antarctica and every where in between. If you have never had a personal encounter with a cetacean, you are in for a real treat. Many people finding it an almost mystical, and always, an up-lifting experience. We also offer ranges of ‘research’ holidays where you can participate in ongoing scientific work and join a team on a project, with no previous experience required. In this way, you can actually directly assist the conservation of these wonderful animals.

Enjoy seeing dolphins bow-riding the ferry in Biscay , see literally hundreds if not thousands of whales and dolphins on our cruise around Baja California and into the Sea of Cortez. Watch Orcas on patrol in Canada or groups of Humpbacks ‘bubblenet’ feeding in Alaska. Swim with wild Atlantic Spotted Dolphins in the clear blue waters of the Bahamas. Watch Narwhals jousting in the chilly waters of the Arctic. In Antarctica we are gettingn increasing numbers of reports of very close encounters too, with both Antarctic Minke Whales and Humpbacks ‘playing’ with zodiacs. This is just a sample of what is contained in the following pages. We would also draw your attention to the expedition cruises which can be found throughout this brochure, most of which are excellent for seeing cetaceans. Please ask for more information.

Our Ecovolunteer programmes, (see here) introduced in 2000, have proved very popular and we offer a number of exciting whale and dolphin projects ranging from studying Humpbacks in Brazil to observing Belugas in Arctic Russia. A great idea and unforgettable experience for your gap year or if you want to get involved. Full details can be found on the web at www.ecovolunteer.org.uk

All our 2005 clients will receive a WildWings/WildOceans T-shirt with our compliments. The coolest ‘T’ on the high seas! In addition you will receive full WildOceans pre-trip information, to ensure you get the maximum from your trip including our exclusive specially written 40 page guide to whale watching.

The Oceans hold some of the greatest natural history spectacles on our blue planet and we look forward to you joining us to experience some of these for yourself in 2005.

tour leaders

		Scot Anderson (right) ‘Sharkman’, Scot Anderson conducted research on seabirds in Hawaii and Alaska for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and works for the National Park Service near San Francisco. He is an independent wildlife researcher and since 1987 has worked for the Point Reyes Bird Observatory on the Farallon Islands White Shark Project, developing photo-identification techniques. He also studies salmon sharks in Alaska. Scot is an experienced wildlife photographer and has led many trips since 1987, to Baja California, Belize and Midway Atoll.
David Wimpfheimer (left) David Wimpfheimer is a naturalist and biologist with a passion for the birds and natural history of the Western United States. His esearch and studies have taken him from seabird rookeries in Alaska to the forests of the Sierra and deserts of the South West U.S. and Baja California. David's extensive knowledge of the natural history of California is incorporated into his customised birding tours as well as with groups such as the Smithsonian Institution, Point Reyes Field Seminars, California Academy of Sciences and the National Audubon Society.
		Chris Beer & Lisa Steiner Chris Beer originally trained as a marine engineer before getting hooked on whales, while working on the IFAW research yacht ‘Song of the Whale’. He has run overland adventure travel holidays across Asia and the Middle East but now concentrates on the Azores and cetaceans. Lisa Steiner also worked on Song of the Whale after graduating in Marine Biology. Since 1988 Lisa has spent 12 summers in the Azores, working on her cetacean research. Lisa is one of the most experienced cetacean researchers in the area and has published several papers and conference posters on her findings.
		Dr Charles Anderson Charles Anderson is a professional marine biologist who has lived in the Maldives since 1983. He is the foremost authority on both cetaceans and fish in the Maldives, and the pioneer of whale and dolphin watching there. In addition to numerous scientific papers, he has published a series of six guides to the marine life of the islands. He is an accomplished underwater photographer and will present a series of evening slide shows on marine life. Dr. Anderson will be leading the Maldives tours with his partner Susan, who is a qualified nurse, experienced travel professional and enthusiastic guide. They have operated their trips for a number of years now and enjoy a superb reputation.
		David Snow David Snow is a Newfoundland born biologist and writer. He has been involved in whale research since 1979 and recently authored a series of booklets on Newfoundland seabirds, land mammals and archaeology. Newfoundland boasts some of the world’s largest gathering of marine life, including the planet’s biggest summertime population of Humpback Whales. David has taught marine biology and environmental education in both Canada and the USA, while his recordings of whale vocalisations have been distributed around the world.
		Graham Tucker Graham Tucker is a freelance ecologist, conservation consultant and writer. He has a background in ornithology having formerly worked for the British Trust for Ornithology and BirdLife International. His conservation work has included the compilation of multi-national seabird conservation strategies for the north-east Atlantic, and recently the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. But Graham loves nothing better than being out at sea and has been a seabird fanatic since seeing his first Storm Petrels off a wind swept headland in Devon. In recent years he has developed an equal passion for whales and dolphins, and has travelled widely to observe them, including the north-east Atlantic, Africa, the Maldives and Antarctica. One of our Biscay team.
		Caroline Still Caroline is a very popular tour leader, who communicates her enthusiasm with a sense of fun and always a high degree of professionalism, and in particular, developed our popular Bay of Biscay trips. Caroline is a lecturer in education at the University of East Anglia and her research interests centre around the public understanding of science. A co-founder member of ORCA (Organisation Cetacea) and former committee member, she encourages awareness, conservation and enjoyment of cetaceans. Caroline is widely travelled and has pursued cetaceans and other wildlife to many remote and unusual destinations ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic.