© keding zhu
swim with the SuperGiants at the costa rica dome
the everest of the marine mammals adventures • 70 - 90 feet blue whale
pioneers meet at the blue whale cafe - january 13 - 28, 2014
Biodiverse and rich in plankton blooms, the Costa Rica Dome is the winter home of the blue whale,
the earth’s SuperGiant, measuring an impressive 70 to 90 feet long. Between the months of January and March, whales gather at the dome to eat, play, mate, and most importantly birth and nurse
their calves. This makes the Dome the only place in the ocean where blue whales can be observed
in all stages of their lives. For this reason we call the Costa Rica Dome the “Blue Whale Cafe,” the
ultimate gathering place for the sea’s SuperGiants.
Just 500 miles west of Costa Rica, the Costa Rica Dome’s nourishing habitat has been a place of
scientific interest since the 1950s. However, there have been very few onsite studies of the area.
No professional scientist, diver or photojournalist has ever explored Costa Rica Dome before with
the exception of the BBC and National Geographic 5 years ago.
Big Animals Expeditions, the world leader in blue whale expeditions in California and Sri Lanka, is
excited to be the first to offer an exclusive and first of it’s kind journey to the Costa Rica Dome. In
partnership with dive operators Undersea Hunter Group on the dive vessel ARGO, and world leading blue whale research Richard Sears, 14 adventurers will dive into the dome to experience and
record the most complete picture of the blue whale’s life.
onboard education with richard sears
Blue whale education will be provided by Richard Sears, founder, researcher, and head of the
Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS), one of the
first organizations in the world to conduct longterm studies on whales.
After studying biology at the university, Sears
joined the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute
where he shared privileged moments with the
whales of baie de Moisie. “I could do this the rest
of my life,” he said while contemplating these
giants from his inflatable raft.
at home at the costa rica dome
According to scientific studies, the Costa Rica Dome
may be critical to the future of the endangered blue
whale. The Dome serves as a feeding ground for the
blue whale through winter months and all year round.
Additionally, blue whales found at the Dome are the
healthiest of the species.
Richards later became a naturalist onboard
whale-watching vessels in Massachusetts and
worked alongside the pioneers of whale research
including David Sergeant, Steven Katona and
Roger Payne— all his greatest sources of inspiration.
photography with amos nachoum
a premium journey on the ARGO
Our journey begins on the 130-foot ARGO, a luxury
diving vessel, provided by preeminent dive operators
Undersea Hunter Group. ARGO was redesigned and refitted in 2008 to pamper its passengers with spacious
quarters and is equipped with the finest diving gear
and state-of-the art deep-diving technology including
navigation and communication systems.
Professional photography will be done with
Amos Nachoum, who was the BBC wildlife
photographer of the year in 2007 and 2008,
and was awarded the prestigious Best of Show
Award 2012 by the American Photographic Artists (APA) competition. Amos has 14 years experience free diving with Blue whales of San Diego,
CA and of Sri Lanka.
Amos’s explorations
have been featured
on National Geo,
BBC and the Discovery Channel. Big
Animals Expeditions
re-creates the same
TV documentaries
adventures for your
first hand experience
and photography.
Blue Whale Reasearch and Photography
Experience 14 years
Where Costa Rica Dome
NEXT TRIP
Date January 13 - 28, 2014
Duration 15 days
Cost $9800 per person - prices exclude
airfare and are based on double occupancy
Max No. of Guests 14 guests
Availability 8 spaces
Registration
Deposit $3300
Vessel
130 ft. Diving Vessel w/ premium staterooms;
state of art GPS and communication systems;
complete boat, crew and passenger safety
gear
Activities
Free diving / snorkeling
Temperature
In Water: 72-76°F
Air: 78-82°F
[email protected]
831 241 6657
biganimals.com
dates and prices subject to change without prior notice
itinerary blue whale costa rica
JANUARY 13 - 28, 2014
Day 1: ARRIVE San Jose Costa Rica. Please provide Big
Animals Expeditions with your arrival information.
Transfer on you own to the hotel we suggest in town for
an overnight stay and welcome dinner.
Day 2-14: DEPART San Jose to Puntarenas by bus transfer
about four hours drive and board the Argo. Go to sea.
12 full days on the high sea reaching the Costa Rica
Dome after two days.
Upon arrival will launch all of the three skiffs with only
four people per skiff searching for Blue whale.
We will have plenty of water and lunch will be served
on board. You will need to bring only snorkeling gear.
SCUBA gear will not be used as it is likely to scare the
Blues away, it is heavy and will slow you down. We will
spend at least 8 to 10 hours per day on board with long
distance cruising and searching.
Evening on board - Richard Sears will lead with presentations on Blue whale research that he has been leading
for many years.
Amos will be leading photography presentations, workshops and coaching.
Day 14: Returning to Puntarenas at mid day, transfer to
San Jose.
Check in to the hotel for the last overnight and farewell
dinner.
Day 15: Return home according to your flight itinerary.
© amos nachoum 2013
$9800 TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• 2-night stay at San Jose Hotel
• Transportation between San Jose and Puntarenas
• 13 nights, 14 days on board the Argo
• All meals on board the ship
• Richard Sears and Amos - presentations and coaching
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
• International airfare
• Meals and drinks not specified
• VISA fee
• Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
• Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will
be provided)
• Additional costs incurred due to independent travel
arrangements
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
US citizens are required to have a valid passport,
and round-trip air ticket.
[email protected] biganimals.com
831-241-6657