Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Joey, Austin, Tx — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:05:59 GMT

Thank you. With news reporters taking us to see these wonderful animals, we'd easily forget what's going on in our world.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Jean Hurley — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:14:19 GMT

Beautiful story. I hope the Japanese get the idea to let the whales alone.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Martha Cruz, Mason City, Iowa — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:01:50 GMT

I was just wondering how someone would be able to become a member or get on the list to be one of the face to face encounterers'? I think that would be a chance of a lifetime.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Rebecca Burdine Ft. Lauderdale Florida — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:13:57 GMT

Loved the story!! Very interesting. I didn't know whales give birth at night. Very visually written. Nothing beats mother nature.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Steven R. Horton, Valley, Washington — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:18:27 GMT

Why wouldn't they know we have hunted them? Other animals with much smaller brains learn to fear us. Other predators have ceased to fear us when we stopped hunting them so now we have cougars attacking children and small women. Yet when given the oppurtunity the whales do NOT attack us, Even Killer Whales leave us alone. Perhaps they are more inteligent then we think. Wouldn't it be awful to learn someday that the whales as a race decided it best to overlook our savagery in the name of peace and goodwill. Look at us! we still insist on killing others with large brains and the ability to think. EACH OTHER!

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Steve, Foxboro, Massachusetts — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:25:24 GMT

Yes, they are amazing. Sadly the Japanese government is still subsidizing commercial whaling dubbed "research" which includes humpback whales for sale as food/pet food.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Dean Huber Jeffersonville Indiana. — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:26:49 GMT

I don't think there are Killer Wales in the Caribbean.The shallow warm Boatless waters I understand but I have never heard of Killer Wales in the Caribbean.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Jeannie smith, Owensboro, KY. — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:57:41 GMT

Hi.. I like this article,, very moving to me. I have never ever laid eyes on a whale,, except in movies and pictures. I think it would be awesome to look one in the eye just once at least. It upsets me to think that anyone would want to harm, let alone kill, one of these creatures. :( I can't understand that at all. I wish I could be there swimming with them and hear their songs. To me they are blessed creatures, and special. They should be highly respected. Isn't it nice that they are sharing the sea with us? I think too that they are quite intelligent. Thank goodness they have that special place to go to,, and I hope people aren't bothering them too much or crowding them. and I also hope no motor boats are allowed in there. only row boats and such.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Jerry Klavans, Citrus County, Florida — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:11:17 GMT

I have been photographing Humpbacks off Cape Cod since the 1970's...some of the same whales that go to Silver Banks in the winter.It's allways exciting to see the whales. It's truley a life changeing experience. Ms. lyell is right, you never get bored or see the same thing twice.Someday I would love to get the chance to be in the water with them.It's been a dream of mine since I saw my first breaching Humpback whale off the coast of Provincetown ma.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Jean Hurley Fort Myers,Florida — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:31:43 GMT

Beautiful story. I hope the Japanese pay attention.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Harry — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:38:41 GMT

Thank you for that beautiful story. God's creation is truly amazing and it's exciting to know that you and I as humans, are ranked by Him as the best.
Wow! Let's thank Him.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Don U. — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:44:56 GMT

My son has a 85 foot comercial sport fishing boat and the other day we had a high school group out whale watching and up comes two HUMPBACK whales next to the boat and they would not leave. The kids got wet every time they came up to blow and when they hit the water with their fin I have never seen this action before. We are located in Oxnard Ca and go out Gray Whale watching from JAN to APRIL. We also have seen Blue Whales and more and more Killer Whales that track the Grays.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

john doe anywere — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:19:19 GMT

Real smart tell the whale hunters were to go hunting....

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Maureen, Honolulu, Hawaii — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:10:22 GMT

ALOHA !! I live in Hawaii and have had the pleasure and priviledge of watching these great creatures swim and play, blow water and an occasional breach. How lucky am I? I too, everytime I see the slightest evidence of a whale get all excited and need to watch. Of course, I get excited about seeing deer on the mainland too.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

jdhuggard — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:05:20 GMT

very special-how long can nature in its true form/remain/we call all to protect

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Athena — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:27:52 GMT

I've been swimming with the stingrays off of Grand Cayman, and have swum with dolphins in Jamaica--but those were fairly "controlled" experiences with practically domesticated animals. And still to be so close to such intrinsically beautiful creatures made me cry tears of joy. I'm afraid I might slip the surly bonds of earth entirely if I were to see eye to eye with a baby humpback whale. I'm going to the DR in May. A month too late...this time.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Daniel E Monagle — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:33:20 GMT

In addition to seeing whales mate, I had another experience, which, could be skeptical at the very least.
A few years back (I was only 62). I sailed with my son-in law that has a sailing boat. This time there were only 3 of us including my daughter Jennifer. We were on our way back to Catalina from outer, northern islands, we were lucky enough to manuever our way into a "pod" of about 10-12 killer whales. As we started filming it, the pod changed direction. We slipped behind them and filmed a bit more. No killer whales had been seen in this area for years. The "lead" whale came nearly 1/2 way out of the water and looked right at us as if to warn us to stop following. We did. I'll never forget it & have a dvd showing it. Danny

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Renee Radovich, Ila, GA — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:46:18 GMT

Thank you for writing about the humpback whales, It's amazing and inspiring to me that a simple article written in a straightforward way can still be so full of impact.
It's so good to hear of a success story for a change, since so much wildlife is endangered now.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Marek Jantos — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:59:55 GMT

Enjoy it,

Marek

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Sandy Okole, Maui, HI — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:12:33 GMT

It is against the law to approach whales (humpbacks) closer than 100 yards here in HI. Sounds like you didn't obey?

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Mark, Milwaukee — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:56:38 GMT

If you want to be in the water with whale sharks up close, check out the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. They now allow a few people a day to swim or scuba dive in their six million gallon saltwater aquarium.

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/swimOrDive/index.aspx

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

D. D. Parra — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:57:03 GMT

Loved the article! One of these days I will also be
commenting about these wonderful and amazing animals.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Judith Hofbauer, Springfield, Mo — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:57:30 GMT

Damn the countries that still hunt whales and elephants. So much like us but so different. No one needs elephant tusks or whale oil. Japan and Norway need a shot across the bow bigtime!!

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

S.l.Agnelly — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:09:49 GMT

I wouold love to see a humpback whale /

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

STLchange St Louis — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:57:33 GMT

I like this story, great instrest we are finally starting to realize we really don't own this plant. We just happen to be the one's with the loudest mouths. lol will be back for other great stories of man and animals. God Bless

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

paul ryan, virginia beach, virginia — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:21:48 GMT

The wonders of God are without end !

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Henry Christopher,from UK ,Manchester — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:15:57 GMT

Hello,thanks for the blog all you who has made it possible that we will see this educating and captivating natures painting of life.

I am so happy that we have people who are particular about this beautiful sea lives,infact I would love to watch humpback whales live too,I guess it might another year .We should stop killing whales either for food or raw materials.

God bless you all,

Henry

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Carlee, Westminster, MA — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:45:20 GMT

Wow! It has been a dream of mine to swim with the whales. I have been amazed by them my whole life, so this story amazes me! Anyone know how I can find out more info on going to see this for myself??

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

susan bibeau, Nashua, NH — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:00:01 GMT

I have just read the story about you coming in contact with the humpback whales. They are beautiful creatures of God and I hope some day I can see them up close under the ocean.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Donna Nayduch, Evans CO — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:05:27 GMT

Didn't need to read the whole story - I've been there 3 times with Tom and already booked for 2009 - I can see it all in my mind's eye as I skim the words and look at the photos - there is NOTHING like looking into the eyes of the great ones - we are all ersponsible for protecting them and the others on this planet - blessings!!

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

John Self Mountain Home, Ar. — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:08:57 GMT

I was one of the first to go along with Tom Conlin on one of Peter Hughes live aboard dive boat. It is all as depicted in this report. I had a baby humpback swim circles around me before mama came up to see what was going on. I still get chill bumps thinking about that awesome experience.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

brenda pennington — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:24:33 GMT

I have always been facinated with whales. even though they are large, there is a beauty to them. enjoyed the story and the pictures. As i'm from the south, not much chance of me ever seeing one in their natural habitat.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

maureen constantine lett whidbey island washington — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:38:53 GMT

The aquarium at the Tacoma (Wa)Point Defiance Park is world class, and has an extrodinary pod of Beluga whales. When my niece was about 2-3, her family was being deployed to Alaska and we spent our last day together at the aquarium. As I held her in my arms, we were eye to eye with a young Beluga. I walked the length of the tank with Lorraine in my arms and a Beluga swimming along with us, eye to eye with the baby. When we reached the end of the tank, Beluga would swim back and meet us at the far end and we would share a traverse to the other end, then back again over and over for at least an hour. Both those young animals had much to communicate to each other, and I was prviledged to facilitate their communication. I'll never forget that day.

Swimming with whales in the Caribbean

Heidi Perry, Minneapolis, MN — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:46:25 GMT

I have done this myself in Tonga (in the South Pacific). The DR and Tonga are the only places in the world where you are legally allowed to get in the water with the whales. Just Google 'whale swimming tonga' or 'whale swimming sliver bank' to find out how to get the experience. I had never even snorkled prior to my humpback whale encounter. Truly breathtaking. I hope to come back in another life as one of them.