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Snorkeling, Scuba Diving & Wildlife
Photography Expedition, Norway
“...There was Anna, the Orca— just like last
year. Just five feet away from me, she stood up on her powerful tail,
raising her head and blowing bubbles about ten feet under the surface.
I couldn’t mistake her. Something about the way she moves had etched
itself in my memory, like a favorite ballet that once seen, is never to
be forgotten…"
You’ve seen Orcas in seaquariums. You’ve seen
them on National Geographic and The Discovery Channel. You’ve seen
Orcas featured in books and films and as plush toys in department stores.
Now here is your chance to observe and photograph and dive with Orcas
in the wild, underwater in their natural habitat in Norway, as they engage
in the unique feeding behavior first documented by Amos Nachoum and Big Animals Photography Expeditions.
At only a few times of the year, killer whales follow migrating
herring into the magnificent fjords of Norway. Singling out the spectacular
Vestfjord, millions of tons of herring gather and dive deep, where the
cold water slows their metabolism and reduces their need to feed. Drawn
to this enormous food source, hundreds of Orcas follow, waiting until
clouds of herring drift toward the surface before they begin to feed.
Our exclusive group of six divers tracks individual Orca
pods, observing the whales at play and feeding until the time is deemed
right to attempt a diving encounter. Two guests at a time slip quietly
into the water, snorkeling and free diving, to mingle with the killer
whales. As conditions permit, the other divers are sent to join them.
(Some scuba diving is also used.)
Encounters range from brief check-outs when the Orcas zoom
in to observe our diving guests at close range (including mothers with
infants), to extended engagements when fortunate snorkeling guests
will have the chance to watch the Orcas carouselling, or herding, large
schools of herring.
Just when you think you’ve seen the last of these
wolves of the sea, in the form of disappearing bodies and fading tail
flukes, an Orca will rocket from the deep to pause right alongside you,
or go vertical in the water like a patrolling guard inspecting a possible
intruder. On none of our expeditions has anyone ever been attacked or
otherwise injured by these wondrous creatures, despite the fact that we
are often present in their midst during active feeding behavior.
Because of the extreme temperatures we encounter (water
38-42°F, top side 28-40°F with wind chills to 10°F and the
possibility of snow), only dry suit diving is allowed. Participants will
need to prove their competency in such diving to the satisfaction of the
expedition leader. Although equipment is available on board, it is recommended
that divers bring their own dry suits in order to ensure a close and comfortable
fit before leaving home. This far north, the amount of daylight is limited,
but the waters of the Norway fjord are exceedingly clear and afford visibility
in the range of 30-40 ft. horizontally.
Many exceedingly rare and exclusive experiences require
some extra effort on the part of those involved. The Orcas of Norway are
no exception. Offered only by Big Animals Photography Expeditions, this
diving adventure is without parallel, and is sure to provide moments and
memories that will last for the rest of your life.
TRIP ITINERARY AND INFORMATION
Tour price includes:
- Six days of Orcas search activities
- Accommodation with all meals on board the vessel
- Photo coaching
- All diving services when available
- Five 13 cub. Mini – scuba tank with a special
designed harness
- Only six divers
Not included in Tour Price:
- Internatiomal and domestic airfare
- Overnight hotel in Svolvaer or Bodo
- Transfers & meals which aren't specified above
- Overweight luggage. Drinks and taxes
- Insurance -recommended you buy your own travel,
health and diving insurance
- Additional costs incurred due to independent travel
arrangements
- Gratuities to the local guides
Payment Policy & Deposit:
When we receive your deposit, we will send you
a comprehensive and detailed Trip Preparation Bulletin about the experience
and the destination. All flights and trip costs are subject to change
without prior notice until confirmed reservation.
- A non-refundable deposit of $1,900
is required to secure a space on the trip
- Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure.
- We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
- Refund is made if replacement was found less unrecoverable costs of sales, administration special promotion.
- Cancellation must be made in writing, 90 days before departure.
- No refund is made for unused part of the itinerary.
What to Bring Along
Warm clothes. Wool hoods, Water resistance Gloves,
Long & warm underwear. Polartec 200 weight or 300, jacket and pants.
Ski pants and jacket, wool socks, capilene and /or silk underwear.
Diving Equipment
Dry Suit (you may call Amos for further information), mask & extra
strap, snorkel and fins (extra straps). 1/4” diving gloves, or dry
gloves. Thinsulated Suit and polartec (to be worn under your Dry Suit).
Travel Documents
US citizens are required to have a valid passport and round-trip air ticket.
The following are subject to change:
- The vessel may change however, the number of participant
will not exceed 4 divers.
- Port of embarkation and disembarkation
- Weather and water temperature and Orca behavior.
- I will confirm and update whatever information
humanly possible 30 days prior to departure.
A general note:
Although we have reported honestly and accurately about our sightings
and experiences in Norway, we would like to point out that we are working
in the wilderness and despite all of our good intentions and utmost preparation,
Mother Nature may not cooperate with us everyday to the tee, and the Orcas
are not on contract with us. When we are at sea we are not at Sea World.
It is an effort of wait and see. We trust our previous experiences, and
so far our record is receiving high marks. We believe that with good planning
and a realistic approach, you will have a successful time with us in Norway
and with the ultimate predator - the Killer Whale.
Information current as of January, 2008. Dates and prices may be subject to change without prior notice.
For Booking and/or further questions,
contact Amos:
Phone: (415) 923-9865
Toll free: 877-229-4253
Email: amos@biganimals.com
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EXPEDITION PROFILE
Worldwide Orca Experience:
9 years
Where:
Vestfjord, Norway
TRIPS IN 2008:
Date:
November 07 - 16, 2008
Duration: 9 Days
Cost: $6,900
Max No. of Guests:
6 guests only*
Availability: 3 guests
Date:
November 14 - 24
Duration: 9 Days
Cost: $6,900
Max No. of Guests:
6 guests only*
Availability: 3 guests
Registration:
Deposit of $1,900
Registration form
* Max No. of Guests:
6 guests only
(We guarantee operating each trip with the maximum
number of guests. However, when we do not have the full number of guests
required, we maintain the right to add few guests on board from other
sources.)
Sample Airfares:
$750 from NY
Facility:
Live Aboard 91' M/S "Langoysund"
Activities:
Snorkeling/Scuba
Temperature:
In Water: 38-42°F
Air: 20-40° F
U/W Visibility:
20 - 40 feet
VITAL STATISTICS
Latin Name:
Orcinus orca
Length & Weight:
Newborn: 7 - 8 feet
400 - 500 lbs.
Adult: 18 - 32 feet
4 - 9 tons
Lifetime:
80 Years
World Population:
Unknown
Distribution:
All oceans, particularly the Polar regions.
Behavior:
Inquisitive, fast swimmer, breaches, spyhops.
Diving:
Residents: Usually dive for 3 up to 7 minutes to
600ft
Transients:
Dive for 5 up to 15 minutes down to 1,000ft.
Group Size:
4 - 25 up to 50 = Super pods socializing
Diet:
Residents: fish, birds & squid. Transients:
seals, dolphins, whales & sharks.
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Day 1:
Depart the US from Newark, NJ for a direct flight to Oslo, Norway.
Arrival on the next day.
Day 2:
Arrive Oslo new airport after clearing customs, proceed to the connecting
flight to Bodo. At Bodo you connect with the flight to Svolvaer, your
final destination. Upon arrival at Svolvaer you will take a taxi to the
harbor. The boat will be waiting for us with dinner and overnight accommodation
on board. We will advise more accurately where the boat will be the last
week of October.
Day 3 - 8:
Sail out at first light, to begin our search and contact mission with
the Orcas (killer whales). Experiencing six days in the cold, clear and
crispy days of Norway, with spectacular surroundings and good chances
to see an awesome display of the Northern lights at night if it is cold
enough. i.e., 38 degrees or below. Brrrrrr...
We will cruise among the fjords system in search of Orca pods. Information
of sightings are delivered to us by other whale watching vessels, fisherman
and ferries that frequent this area. We have never missed.
Since the Orca pods are constantly are moving around
in search of herring there is no way for us to know exactly where we are
going to be every night. Some nights we will be docking at a town close
to the last spotting of the Orcas. On these nights we will go ashore for
drinks, dinner, etc.
Day 8:
On Friday, our last day, after a whole day at sea making the most of the
daylight for encounters, we depart the vessel late afternoon and stay
the last night in a local hotel.
Day 9:
Depart Svolvaer on the first morning flight to Bodo. Change planes in
Bodo and connect with your flight to Oslo. In Oslo you may proceed to
your next European destination or connect with the flight to the USA.
Flights to the USA arrive at the same day of departure.
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