Whale and Dolphin Observation Courses 2008
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Humans have always been fascinated - almost mystically - by dolphins and whales. Many old cultures and tribes have shown their admiration and closeness to these marine mammals through their rituals, tales and traditions. For many people, the gentle giants of the oceans are a symbol for the unsustainable way nature and environment are treated.
The Course
The course is suitable both for grown-ups and for kids. On our daily boat trips (approx. 2 hours) you can experience whales and dolphins in their natural environment while we are studying their behaviour from our boat. So while watching the animals you can deepen your knowledge on these fascinating marine mammals. We encounter whales and dolphins on 98 % of our trips, as - thanks to our five-years experiences of photo identification - we know about the migratory behaviour of the pilot whales depending on the tides.
Strong winds made Tarifa famous amongst wind surfers. These weather conditions, however, can make boat trips impossible sometimes. For that case we have prepared interesting alternative programmes, e.g. our marine biologists and other experts will give little lectures to provide you with invaluable information on marine mammals, we can take a trip to a sand dune or the cliffy coast just off Tarifa. We could also explore a cork-oak wood that leads us to a little waterfall.
Whales and Dolphins
3 species of dolphins can be seen throughout the year: common dolphins, striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Sightings of pilot whales are also possible all the time. 12-15 families have their feeding grounds in the Strait of Gibraltar and thus we encounter them regularly. From April to July sperm whales can be observed in the deeper waters of the Strait. During July and August, we can also watch orcas near Tanger, where they are hunting tunas (or rather snatching them off the hook from fishermen). Fin whales can also be seen, however, not quite as often.
It is important for us to treat the animals always with the demanded respect in order to minimize any disturbance. Therefore our skippers are specially trained to drive the boat in a careful manner.
Dates
| Courses 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | ||||
| 17.03.-21.03. | 24.03.-28.03. | |||
| April | ||||
| 31.03.-04.04. | 07.04.-11.04. | 14.04.-18.04. | 21.04.-25.04. | |
| May | ||||
| 12.05.-16.05. | 19.05.-23.05. | 26.05.-30.05. | ||
| June | ||||
| 02.06.-06.06. | 09.06.-13.06. | 16.06.-20.06. | 23.06.-27.06. | |
| July | ||||
| 30.06.-04.07. | 07.07.-11.07. | 14.07.-18.07. | 21.07.-25.07. | 28.07.-01.08. |
| August | ||||
| 04.08.-08.08. | 11.08.-15.08. | 18.08.-22.08. | 25.08.-29.08. | |
| September | ||||
| 01.09.-05.09. | 08.09.-12.09. | 15.09.-19.09. | 22.09.-26.09. | |
| October | ||||
| 29.09.-03.10. | 06.10.-10.10. | 13.10.-17.10. | ||
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) only take place at a minimum of 6-8 participants. All other courses definitely take place. However, in case of bad weather we have to change the program. For these days we have prepared alternative programs. Of course, you will always have enough spare time to discover the beautiful surroundings of Tarifa or to do sports such as snorkelling, scuba-diving, surfing, horse-back riding or for just relaxing and sunbathing.
How to get to Tarifa
by train: destination Malaga or Algeciras and from there by bus to Tarifa,
by airplane: destination Malaga
In Malaga or Algeciras, you can either take a bus to Tarifa or rent a car. firmm® offers special conditions for car rental and flights.
Accomodation
You can choose between different categories of accommodation which can be booked through firmm®. Depending on the category of accommodation you choose, you can do your own cooking or eat out. The Andalusian cuisine offers a huge variety in food and is not expensive at all.
The prices for the course and the accommodations are listed on the printable documents on the course.
Weather, Clothing, Insurances
Generally the weather is nice and warm, but strong winds are very frequent. Therefore and especially for the boat trips you should bring a warm sweater, a wind-proof jacket, comfortable and sea-water resistant shoes, a sun-hat, sun protection, sunglasses and a camera, if you like to take pictures (a 200 mm zoom lens is useful). Be also aware that we are not responsible for your personal equipment.
Each participant has to have his own insurance.
Please mention any physical handicap on the registration form.
Costs
| Course | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adults: | EUR 310,- | 1 week |
| EUR 540,- | 2 weeks | |
| Youngsters (up to 18): | EUR 240,- | 1 week |
| EUR 410,- | 2 weeks | |
Prices for Accommodations
The prices for the accommodations are listed on the printable documents on the course
Misc
After registration you will receive a provisional confirmation with the invoice for the down payment of 50% of the total amount. As soon as we receive your payment, your place will be reserved. The other half of the amount has to be settled at least 30 days before the course starts. In case of cancellation we will charge you a modest fee.