The oceans hold some of the greatest natural history spectacles on the planet and WildOceans (the whale & dolphin watching program from WildWings) offers many fabulous opportunities to see whales and dolphins all over the world. In August 2005, not only is there a wide choice of short-break departures on the cetacean extravaganza in the Bay of Biscay, but WildOceans will also head for Canada’s Northwest Passage and Greenland in search of the mythical whales of the far north: narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales.

In Search of Arctic Whales in the Realm of the Ice Bear - Northwest Passage and Greenland

The Northwest Passage – a route almost across the top of the world – was long sought by traders, explorers and military strategists of Europe, Russian Asia and the American north. It gave rise to a number of expeditions, notable only for their failure, and fired the imagination of geographers, fortune seekers, governments and seafarers. During the Arctic’s brief summer, when the ice conditions are most forgiving, our comfortable ice-strengthened expedition ship will not only retrace the paths of these early explorers, achieving in just a few days that which defied decades of effort, but will also go in search of the imperial polar bear, Arctic whales and other wildlife of this icy paradise north of the Arctic Circle.

Embarking in Resolute, just 900 miles from the geographic North Pole, we explore the sheltered bays and fjords of Baffin Island, Lancaster Sound and nearby Beechey, Cornwallis and Devon Islands – all familiar names since the days of the famous English explorer, Franklin. Visits to remote Inuit settlements provide the opportunity to learn about the culture and existence in these harsh lands dating back many hundreds of years and, at Pond Inlet on Baffin Island, there are visible remains of Thule houses built by ancient indigenous peoples with rafters of whalebone.

Our journey from the east coast of Baffin Island across to the west coast of Greenland regularly produces spectacular wildlife sightings and in 2004 the WildOceans group saw no fewer than 37 polar bears including several cubs, as well as a large group of bowhead whales, scores of ringed and beaded seals and literally thousands of harp seals.

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Dick Filby, who led the first WildOceans Arctic expedition last summer said, “After just 20 minutes on deck I struck gold and, just as the main course was being served in the dining room below, my call of ‘whales blowing’ quickly emptied the tables! A group of 10-12 bowheads were seen along the ice edge ahead and two, in particular, came within 200 metres to give us outstanding views of tail flukes, blowholes and jaw lines. And the equally outstanding catering team in the dining room understood completely…!”

Accompanied by experts from WildOceans, the expedition in search of Arctic whales - 22 August to 5 September 2005 - costs from £3,899 per person including scheduled flights from Heathrow, private charter flights, pre and post-voyage hotel accommodation in Ottawa, all voyage activities and meals aboard the ship (using only ingredients from sustainable sources). A discount of £300 per person is currently being offered for bookings on the Arctic expedition.

Bay of Biscay Cetacean Extravaganza

Few destinations, so close to home, can offer both beginners and experienced whale and seabird watchers such an extraordinary diversity of whales and dolphins as the Bay of Biscay. Enormous variations in sea depth across two continental shelves account for the fact that at least 16 species are recorded here during a typical twelve-month period.

The sea crossing onboard a stable, five-star ferry with plenty of deck space for cetacean watching, takes approximately 36 hours each way. Four hours ashore in Spain gives passengers just enough time to stretch their legs in the Spanish foothills in search of butterflies and wildflowers.

Notable numbers of fin (the second largest whale) as well as encounters with pilot whales, common, striped and bottlenose dolphins are all fairly certain. One of the trips saw in excess of 500 dolphins alone! Sightings of sei whales, Risso’s dolphins, orcas and, even, blue and humpback whales, are also possible.

The 3-night/4 day trips depart from Portsmouth throughout the month of August and cost £209 per person sharing a twin cabin.

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For press enquiries please contact Debra Taylor at toucanmoon 01491 613424 debra@toucanmoon.com

WildWings
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Prepared by toucanmoon /12 January 2005
St John’s Hall, Shirburn Street, Watlington OX49 5BT
(t) 01491 613424 (e) debra@toucanmoon.com