A ten-night expedition aboard Solace. Swim with the resident sperm whales of Dominica, explore its rivers, rainforest, and volcanic coast, then sail north for four nights at anchor in St Barths.
The expedition begins in Antigua and turns south to Dominica, a volcanic island with a resident population of sperm whales year round, and the rare chance to swim with the ocean's largest toothed whale.
Five days are spent in Dominica: sperm whale safaris, the Chaudière River Canyon, Trafalgar Falls, the Indian River, and a cultural visit ashore. Whale days and shore days are interchangeable, set by the conditions.
From Dominica, Solace sails north to St Barths for four nights at anchor: protected coves, clear water, and evenings ashore in Gustavia.
Across the Dominica days, conditions and access permitting: Titou Gorge, the twin Trafalgar Falls, Champagne Reef, the Hampstead "Pirates of the Caribbean" black-sand beach, and hot springs and volcanic landscapes across the island.
Dominica is one of the best places in the world to encounter sperm whales. Several resident family groups live in the surrounding waters year round, for both surface observation and managed in-water encounters.
Solace anchors off the sheltered northwest coast, with tenders departing daily to find the whales. Guests spend time in the water alongside them, with experienced local guides.
Five days are spent in Dominica, whale days and shore days interchangeable through the week. On non-whale days: rainforest, rivers, black-sand beaches, and volcanic landscapes.
The Chaudière River Canyon is one of the island's best freshwater swims: a short rainforest walk to deep pools beneath cascading waterfalls. Nearby, the Indian River runs through an important Caribbean mangrove ecosystem, by traditional hand-rowed boat.
In the south, swim through a volcanic canyon into the waterfall at Titou Gorge, then visit the twin Trafalgar Falls, known as Mother and Father. The Syndicate Nature Trail runs through primary rainforest, home to the rare Imperial Amazon parrot, found only in Dominica.
Lunch is often served ashore on the black sand of Hampstead Beach, a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean. Conditions permitting: Champagne Reef, hot springs, and a guided visit to the island's Kalinago heritage.
From Dominica, Solace sails north to St Barths, a small French island: green hills, white-sand coves, and Gustavia, a harbour town built around a working port.
Anchor off Anse de Colombier, a protected cove reachable only by boat or on foot, with some of the island's best snorkeling. Tender to Gouverneur or Saline, two of the least-developed beaches in the West Indies.
Water toys and lunches aboard, coastal walks above Gustavia to the old forts, and evenings ashore or dinner at anchor. A final day can make the short run to Île Fourchue, an uninhabited islet on the way to St Maarten.
Every Dominica expedition is led by the team behind Camp Dominica, the island's sperm whale operator, under government permit.
Embark in Antigua, five days with the sperm whales and rainforest of Dominica, then north for four nights at anchor in St Barths, disembarking at St Maarten. Click any stop to explore.
Arrive into Antigua and board Solace. After a welcome and a short briefing, the yacht departs on an overnight passage south toward Dominica.
The first full day on the water. Solace's tenders venture along Dominica's coastline in search of its resident sperm whales, with lunch aboard or at a secluded coastal setting, and a second exploration in the afternoon.
A day ashore in the north: the Chaudière River Canyon and a swim beneath cascading waters, lunch on the black sand of Hampstead beach famed for Pirates of the Caribbean, the Syndicate Nature Trail, and a boat tour up the Indian River through the mangroves.
A full day on the sea, searching for sperm whales. Breakfast and lunch can be onboard Solace, or on the support tender, to maximize the encounters with the whales.
Southern Dominica: swim through a volcanic canyon into the waterfall at Titou Gorge and visit the twin Trafalgar Falls, known as Mother and Father, followed by a guided visit to the island's Kalinago heritage. This shore day can also be a sperm whale safari, if preferred.
A final morning in Dominica's waters, a last sperm whale safari or, for those who prefer, a private freedive off Soufrière among volcanic reef structures. After lunch, Solace gets underway, turning north for St Barths.
Arrive into St Barths and settle at anchor. An afternoon ashore in Gustavia, the harbour town built around a working port, or aboard to swim after the days in Dominica.
A day on the water at Anse de Colombier, a protected cove reachable only by boat or on foot, with some of the island's best snorkeling. Water toys, swimming from the beach, and lunch aboard.
Explore the island: a tender to Gouverneur or Saline, two of the least-developed beaches in the West Indies, coastal walks above Gustavia to the old forts, and an evening ashore or dinner at anchor.
A last day in the islands, at a favourite anchorage or a short run to Île Fourchue, an uninhabited islet on the way to St Maarten. A farewell dinner aboard Solace.
A short morning passage brings Solace to St Maarten. After breakfast aboard, disembark and transfer to the airport for onward flights.
Through the five Dominica days, whale safaris and shore excursions are interchangeable. In Dominica we can be flexible on shore days versus whale days, and the St Barths program is fully customizable.
Ten nights. Antigua to St Maarten, via Dominica and St Barths.