DIVE SITE
Silver Bank With Humpback Wales

Saturday March 18th 
It was a Sunny Caribbean Day as guests boarded the Tucks & Caicos Aggressor II for an Experience of a Live Time Enjoying Encounters With Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank.

Sunday March 19th 
It was just getting daylight when the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II departed the Ocean World Marina for her journey to the Silver Bank.  As we made our way through the Marina Channel out into the North Atlantic a couple of guests and I enjoyed a Humpback Whale Surfacing in front of the Yacht.  All of Saying and Thinking, This Is A Good Sign.  We arrived at the Silver Bank in the afternoon and the staff started getting our tenders ready to use for the week.  While the staff was getting the tenders into the water and ready we did one of many presentations that we will be offering throughout the week to help educate guests about Working With Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank.

Monday March 20th 
Monday on the Silver Bank was a windy day.  However we still enjoyed the Sunshine and Humpback Whale Encounters.  In the morning we encountered several pairs of Mothers with Calf.  They were teaching the Calf to Breach and also giving the Small One a Workout to build its Endurance for the Long Journey back North to their feeding grounds.  Between Mother and Calf encounters we enjoyed Adults Breaching and Peck Slapping.  After Lunch we came across a Singer which we enjoyed in-water time for most of the afternoon.  Atlantic Humpback whales will all sign the same song and over a years time it will slightly change.  After seven years it is a completely different song.  When in the water with a Singer you can hear and also feel the vibration through you body core, now that’s magic to the ears.  However the day on the water still wasn’t over.  Just as we were returning to the Yacht a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins came by and swam around the Tender and Yacht.  They were swimming too fast to get in but it was a Wonderful Show!

Tuesday March 21st 
This morning as we departed the Mother Yacht to start searching for our first adventure of the day we came across a Rowdy Group.  A Rowdy Group is when one are more Male Whales called Challengers try to win the affection of a Female.  Today the Rowdy Group was one Female and Five Males.  As they started the fast pace interaction between them we had to stop.  They were traveling directly into the Sun and we couldn’t see the Shallow Coral Heads Some coming up to the Surface to safely follow.  As always seem to happen on the Silver Bank it was for the best.  We came across a Mother and Calf.  While working with this Mother and her Calf we spent some time in and out of the water taking pictures and videos.  Then the Calf started Breaching and its Mother started giving him a workout to build his endurance for the long trip North.  We slowly worked with them enjoying a lot of topside activities the Calf was providing.  After a while both Mother and Calf started calming down and relaxing.  Soon we were in the water again.  Then the Calf became very interested in the group, starting to get closer however its Mother wasn’t ready for him to be that curious or brave so she took made the move and they slowly swam off.  We could see what happen and let them go for another time.  Shortly after we were with another Mother and Calf and this session ended up being very long.  In fact we kept backing up lunch when finally it was after 3pm before heading back for something to eat.  After a quick bit between both tenders we cam across several Mothers with their Calf.  After several times in the water and it getting it was just about time to start back to the Mother Vessel when the Calf, then Mother, then Escort all breached, the adults coming completely out of the water a Very Short Distanced from the tender.  The Calf kept going and finally we had to leave.  Between all the encounters we have a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins come back around and this time we did get in the water with them!  It was another amazing day on the Silver Bank.

Wednesday March 22nd 
Wonderful Wednesday started the way yesterday ended with having Encounters with Mothers and Calf just about all day.   Most of the Calves were playful and Mom was okay with the playfulness.  We enjoyed lots of in-water and close interactions with these Amazing Mammals.  As guest David said “I never had a Whale Swim less then 10 feet from my face”.  It’s awesome to hear very different stories from divers in the same group seeing the same Whale, Yet Experiencing Some Totally Different.  It is such a Wonderful Feeling that when someone talks about their experience you can see the feeling in their face and small tears in their eyes.  I know I still get Goosebumps when I tell stories or show pictures of encounters I’ve had, even old ones.

Thursday March 23rd 
Our final full day on the Silver Bank and we enjoyed some topside and in-water encounters with the Humpback Whales.  We were next to Rowdy Groups and Mother and Calves.  Adults and Small Calves Breaching, Tail Lobbing, Peck Slapping, Tail Slapping and Mothers working out the Calves to build their endurance.  At one point we were working with Mother and Calf, traveling at 4.5 knots in the tender and while traveling at that speed the calf was Breaching and Tail Lobbing.  Then it all slowed down and both started Peck Slapping, Mom rolling on her back using both Pecks to slap the water surface.  To end the day we had a Wonderful in-water Encounter with a Mother and Calf.  Because everyone remain still and in a line both Mother and Calf came by for a close up swim Mom looking a several guest eye to eye.  On the way back to the yacht to finish the day we had another set of Mother, Calf and Escort Breach and Breach and Breach.  A Nice Show!!

Friday March 24th 
As soon as we had some good daylight to see the shallow Coral heads we dropped our Mooring Lines and Departed the Silver Bank for our smooth journey back to Ocean World Marina.  
It Was An Amazing Week With Great Memories With Long Topside and In-Water Encounters With The Humpback Whales.

The Crew Would Like To Thank Everyone For Joining Us On The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II On The Silver Bank!!!

Until The Next Time Somewhere Around The World Safe Travels…

Best Fishes, 

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II Crew