Swimming with Blue and Sperm whales in East Timor
Gallery
Tour Details
Costs
EUR 4,390
per person in a double room
Group
Up to 8 people
+ German- and English-speaking guides from Moby Wildlife Tours + Local guide
All dates
10 departures in 2026 and 2027
2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026
Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Saturday, November 7, 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026 – Saturday, November 14, 2026
Sunday, November 15, 2026 – Saturday, November 21, 2026
2027
Sunday, October 17, 2027 – Saturday, October 23, 2027
Sunday, October 24, 2027 – Saturday, October 30, 2027
Sunday, October 31, 2027 – Saturday, November 6, 2027
Sunday, November 7, 2027 – Saturday, November 13, 2027
Sunday, November 14, 2027 – Saturday, November 20, 2027
Additional dates for private tours are available upon request
Where
Start
Every Sunday at the airport in Dili, depending on the arrival time
End
The Saturday following checkout
Price includes
What's included
Transportation, tours, accommodation, group meals, presentations about blue whales
What is not included
Personal expenses, insurance, arrival and departure Dili
Physical requirements
Be able to swim 100 meters with fins, a mask, and a snorkel
Be able to climb out of the water using a ladder
We are happy to accommodate dietary intolerances and sensitivities.
Notes
This tour is intended for snorkelers and freedivers. No scuba diving.
Ready for this journey?
Check availability for your desired date.
About the trip
The trip to East Timor is a trip to the largest animals that have ever inhabited our planet. Being in the same element as a 25-meter-long blue whale is an incredible experience that cannot be properly described. Swimming with a blue whale has to be experienced to be believed!
We take a small but comfortable boat directly from the capital Dili out onto the often mirror-smooth water every day to get close to the giants of the sea. Normally, we spend about 6 hours at sea. Before the wind often picks up in the late afternoon, we come back ashore to recover from our adventures at sea.
During our time in Asia's youngest country, we are accommodated in a beautiful hotel right by the sea, just a few minutes from the jetty.
We have also 1-2 smaller excursions planned for the later afternoons and evenings to introduce you to this exciting country and its cuisine.
The Animals
The goal of this journey is to encounter, in the water, the largest animal that has ever roamed our beautiful planet: the blue whale. Around 1,500 blue whales spend the southern winter in the Banda Sea to breed. To reach their feeding grounds in southern Australia, hundreds of whales each year follow a current that flows southwest along the coast of East Timor. On a good day, we can observe up to 25 whales in small groups, sometimes just a few meters from the coast.
Swimming with a blue whale is one of the most impressive experiences you can have. These 25-meter-long giants glide gently past us on their journey south.
We also often see sperm whales, which live around the Indonesian islands all year round. When they appear off Dili, the largest toothed whales in the world often stay for a few days.
There are also various species of dolphin (e.g. Borneo dolphins, bottlenose dolphins or spotted dolphins), as well as pilot whales and, rarely, orcas.
Swimming with toothed whales and dolphins is a little more complicated than with the blue whales, as sperm whales in particular are still hunted in this region to this day and are correspondingly shy.
Swimming with blue whales, on the other hand, is less difficult. The giants are not disturbed by us during their migration and often pass us by within a few meters.
Accommodation & Catering
Throughout our stay in East Timor, we’ll be staying at one of the most beautiful hotels in the country, located right on the coast of Dili. The rooms are pleasantly modern and feature air conditioning. The hotel also offers a pool area and a small fitness studio.
Every morning, we’ll enjoy a generous breakfast buffet at the hotel’s restaurant, and occasionally dinner there as well.
In the evenings, we also visit other select restaurants to introduce you to Portuguese-Asian fusion cuisine.
We have lunch out on the water, enjoying sandwiches and other cold dishes.
Daily Programme
Our day starts relatively early so we can make the most of the calm hours at sea. We’ll meet at the boats around 8 a.m. to set out in search of the giants of the sea.
After what we hope will be a successful day, we’ll return to shore between 2 and 4 p.m. After a well-deserved break, we’ll meet up around 5 p.m. for a sundowner and a delicious dinner!
On 1–2 afternoons later in the trip, we’ll also go on excursions around Dili.
Equipment & Photography
East Timor has a tropical climate. The high temperatures invite us to wear short clothing. Even in the evening, short clothing is no problem, we recommend a polo shirt or a light shirt. Don't forget to pack suitable sun protection!
We are happy to provide diving goggles, snorkels and fins for our excursions to the sea. However, we recommend that you bring your own equipment that you are used to. Swimming with whales is not scuba diving! If you wish you can free dive, but without a tank.
Due to the pleasant water temperatures, a wetsuit is not necessary. However, we can also provide one if required.
For photographers, we recommend lenses with a medium range above the water surface. Underwater, you can take excellent photos of blue whales with small lenses (up to 30mm). However, great photos and videos can also be taken with smaller cameras such as GoPros.
Highlights
Watch one of our highlight videos from East Timor here
Contact us
Are you convinced yet, or do you have any questions? Feel free to reach out to us via the contact form below, WhatsApp (+41765811893) or email (info@mobywildlifetours.com).