Timor Leste
A lost paradise, Timor Leste is a ‘hot spot’ of marine cetaceans migrating through deep channels off its coast, including blue, sperm, beaked, short-finned pilot, melon-headed whales and six dolphin species. You’ll spend 8 days on the water in search of the big blues, getting up close and personal with them, as you become a level one freediver training under Shane.
In the evenings Paul will present slideshows on ocean-related issues, from shark-finning to Manta-gill plate trade. Guest speaker, whale scientist Karen Edyvane will introduce the cetaceans of Timor Leste and talk about conservation around the species.
You’ll spend a few nights in Baucau, Timor Leste’s second city and once a favourite holiday destination during the Portuguese occupation that is now being rediscovered. From there you’ll spend two days in and around Jaco Island and then onto Atauro island for two nights, return to the capital for the last night. All destinations could change at a moments notice, depending on the whale migration, for the best possible outcome.
Timor Leste
Whale & dolphin expedition
-Airport pick up, drive to Baucau stay at the Hotel Pousada de Baucau. Group introduction, dinner and drinks.
-Morning on the boat looking for whales and other large ocean mega fauna (Manta rays, turtles, dolphins etc). Lunch on land. Freediving course to start in the pool. Dinner at local restaurant. Shane to present a slideshow on Freediving.
-Breakfast on the boat, morning spent on the water looking for whales and other large ocean fauna. Lunch on land. Free diving course to continue. Dinner at the hotel. Slideshow presentation from Paul.
-Breakfast on the boat, freediving with whales. Lunch on land. Freediving training off one of the beaches in the area & deep dive training. Dinner on the beach. Guest speaker - Cetacean expert.
- Early start, drive to Jaco Island. Meet the boat in Jaco, breakfast and lunch onboard. BBQ dinner on beach & spend the night in a local homestay around Jaco island.
- Back on the water around Jaco for most of the day. Breakfast & Lunch on the boat. Drive back to Baucau. Dinner in the hotel. Slideshow by Paul and evening entertainment.
Breakfast at the hotel, leave Baucau by boat to Atauro Island also known as the Coral triangle. We will stay for 2 nights at the very unique Eco-lodge, a beacon of ethical, community based tourism.
We will spend time this time on the boat, diving around the reef just off the shore and continue our free diving.
We will head towards Dili, again following the migration, here we will spend the night in Dili and wind down after an amazing 8 days on the water.
Sightseeing in the morning around Dili if guests wish and airport drop for those leaving.
