Whale Watching

No vacation stay on Dominica is complete until you have spent at least one afternoon whale watching. Dominica's sheer underwater drop-offs create deep sheltered bays along its western coastline. These deep coastal waters are the feeding grounds for at six different species of cetaceans seen on a regular basis and an additional 16 on an occasional basis. All in all, 22 of the 33 species known in the Caribbean have been seen in Dominican waters. The most commonly sighted cetaceans include short-fin pilot whales, false killer whales, melon-head whales, pygmy sperm whales, and humpback whales. But our most impressive ocean giant is the Sperm Whale. Dominica is the only country in the world the Sperm Whales can be sighted year round, although sightings are most common between November and March. Juvenile and female sperm whales do not migrate, staying here 12 months a year. Mature male sperm whales, however, do migrate to and from polar regions to Dominica - and they come here specially to mate. Sperm whales are the largest predator on earth, reaching up to 70 feet/21 meters long, and weighing 60 tons. They are bright as well and have the largest brain in the animal kingdom. Perhaps most notable - and incredible to witness - is their ability to take a deep dive. When breaching, they can dive more than 6,000 feet/2,000 m deep to hunt in the dark with echolocation for their favorite and abundant food source - large and giant squid. What is equally amazing is that they can stay down there for close to an hour!