RESCHEDULED. 29th October – 4th November 2022. One Male Share Available. Contact Caroline@scubatravel.com for information or reserve places.
Join Alex Mustard on an expedition style workshop in Arctic Norway, to snorkel with and photograph orca in the sheltered waters in the fjords. In northern Norway, from mid October to mid February herring congregate in huge numbers to over winter. This potential feast doesn’t go unnoticed and attracts probably the largest gathering of orcas in the world, who are regularly joined by humpback whales to gorge on the herring, who are packed with nutritious eggs. The aim of this trip is to produce stunning images of them, both above water with the dramatic winter scenery and underwater in the dark fjords.
Alex says “I ran this trip in 2018 and it was a truly amazing experience, with huge numbers of whales, but poor luck with in-water encounters. I am keen to return for more. We’re going back a couple of weeks earlier in 2020 to get longer days and brighter conditions for quality images. Every few years the herring find a new place to over winter, which makes a liveaboard by far the best option to ensure we’re in the right place at the right time. Furthermore, the captain and crew of MV Sula have been taking people underwater with the orca since the beginning and with highly experienced orca expert Pierre Robert de Latour planning the interactions, we have the best chance of success. Pierre’s evening lectures about orcas also provide fascinating and fresh insights and will give you a new appreciation of these amazing predators.”
More than any photo can, this amazing video (click on the link) of a really special encounter, filmed by the very talented Florian Fischer ( better known as Behind The Mask), shows what can happen on this trip and gives great views of the boat and location – a must watch:
Our base for the workshop is M/S Sula, a 30m-long fishing boat converted into a utilitarian diving liveaboard. Alex adds “The Sula crew are hugely experienced working with the orcas and very hospitable. The food is extraordinarily good and everyone who went last time agreed that it was the best food they had enjoyed on a dive trip. The accommodation is fairly basic, but comfortable and warm, also the boat tends to be in port most evenings, so it is easy to get out and explore.” This trip will target both underwater and above water photos of the cetaceans, always putting the the wellbeing of the whales and nature as the first priority (M/S Sula is part of the Undersea Soft Encounter Alliance, which is supported by scientists and promotes the correct types of interactions).
M/S Sula has bunkbed accomodation, with two cabins with four beds, five cabins with two beds and one cabin with three beds, a lounge, an equipment room and a drying room. Bathroom facilities are shared. She is also a fully setup diving boat with an excellent selection of drysuits for rental (we are not planning to dive and will only be snorkelling with the whales). All the amazing food and soft drinks are included in workshop price. Norway is renowned as an expensive country to visit, but we have tried to include everything in the package, so there isn’t an expensive surprise at the end of the trip!
Alex adds “The cold conditions and the physical challenge mean that this isn’t a trip for everyone. Furthermore, as with all big animal trips, you have to come prepared to loose days to weather, or have days when we might not find whales that are in the mood for in-water encounters. You also have to be prepared that someone might have more luck than you, or that you might be the lucky one, but might not be able to celebrate as you want because others weren’t lucky that day. Most underwater encounters tend to be fly-bys, but sometimes the orcas come close and investigate. What we really hope for is to find a feeding event, where there are lots of whales in one spot, giving repeated, close encounters. Whatever happens, though, as an experience, I can guarantee that this is a trip that you’ll never forget.”
The focus of my workshop will be on the photo techniques for shooting the whales and the herring in the dark winter waters, with emphasis on producing the strongest images and the best image quality files. We will also use the evenings to conduct image reviews (on the days hone everyone has strong images) and will run through the best post processing options for getting the most from these images and minimising noise. Furthermore, Pierre will give a series of lectures about orcas through the week. Alex adds “the short days and long nights can also provide the chance to regularly observe the Northern Lights above the beautiful scenery, weather permitting! “
VITALS
31st October to 6th November 2020. Group size limited to 12 photographers in total).
6 Nights Full Board – £4995 GBP (excluding flights). Expected pick up from Tromso Airport, but this is TBC depending on the orcas!
Included – full board accommodation, workshop, harbour fees, group airport transfers. High quality rental drysuits are not included, but available.
Because of the nature of this charter and the popularity of the best weeks of the season, a deposit of £1500 is required by the boat to confirm your place.
BOOKING
For further information and for reservations please contact Scuba Travel. Email is the best way to start your booking of this trip – contact Caroline@scubatravel.com. There are also full trip details on Scuba Travel website.
