WHALE MIGRATION SEASON
WE'VE GOT THE BLUES!
Once a year, between the months of October and November, Timor-Leste is graced by the vast & distinctive presence of migrating Pygmy Blue Whales - a subspecies of the largest animals to ever roam our planet!
Very few other locations in the world offer the chance for such close and numerous encounters with these rare & endangered gentle giants of the ocean. Follow us on one of our tours to see if you could be one of the lucky ones to join the small percentage of humans in the world to have set eyes upon a blue whale.
We are now accepting inquiries and group bookings for the 2024 season!
2024 Whale Season Tours
We are the only operator in the country offering a variety of tour options aboard different vessels running parallel slots each day. All our vessels are maintained and run to international maritime safety standards and we pride ourselves with the operation of safe and responsible tours alongsidea dedicated crew.
ALL TOURS BELOW RUN FROM 19TH OCTOBER 2024 TO 30TH NOVEMBER 2024
-- ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED --
CATAMARAN CRUISE
Search for whales in comfort aboard our spacious catamaran Sundance, for a relaxing and enjoyable time on the water. 3.5 hour duration.
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Tours run every Saturdays & Sundays between 19th October 2024 to 30th November 2024.
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2 sessions - 8am or 3pm. Child friendly
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No in-water activity - all guests remain on the boat throughout full tour.
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On-board toilet facility
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US $120/adult, US $80/child 5-12yrs
PRIVATE CHARTER (SPEEDBOAT)
A similar whale spotting 3 hour tour of the waters around Dili aboard our speedboat. Best for a private family outing or smaller groups looking to be aboard a fast boat but not commit to the full 6-hour PIWWE tour.
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Available daily between 19th October 2024 to 30th November 2024.
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2 sessions daily - 8am or 3pm. Child friendly
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Max capacity: 6pax + 2 extra <15 yrs old.
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No in-water activity. All guests remain on the boat throughout full tour.
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Includes snacks and drinks
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US $750/3 hour charter. Add-on hours at $200/hour
PIWWE SWIM TOUR
For the fit and confident swimmer interested in attempting a Passive In-Water Whale Encounter (PIWWE) experience.
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Involves a 6-hour run on the water in a speedboat, max of 4pax per boat, departing out of Dili
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Whale encounters and whale swims are not guaranteed, but should we become lucky to chance upon a relaxed whale and have the opportunity to get in the water with them, we do so with just mask, fins, and snorkel (no scuba or weights for freediving)
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Each day the tour runs from 7am to 1pm
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Includes whale seeker, snorkel equipment, and water, coffee, tea, and a hearty snack for the trip duration
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There is a compulsory 1.5 hour briefing for all who join in our PIWWE tour, and will be scheduled accordingly prior to the tour dates
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US $375/person per trip
WHALE SIGHTINGS 2022 SEASON
Below are records of Compass' latest whale sightings encountered by our crew.
05-OCT-22
WEDNESDAY
05:40pm
3 Pygmy blue whales, opposite Tasi Tolu bay, traveling west. Spotted during a sunset cruise. Two of the whales were traveling together, can't confirm if they were mother and calf pair as they were far, and were about 500m further ahead than the third whale, which was definitely an adult.
Boat: Sundance
Crew spotter: Rob
04-OCT-22
TUESDAY
8:20am
1 Pygmy blue whale, spotted between Hera and Cristo Rei, swimming parallel and close to shore. Traveling west.
Boat: Chae
Crew spotter: Cassio
01-OCT-22
SATURDAY
8:30am
3 Pygmy Blue Whales traveling west and hugging the Dili coastline. Group of mother, calf, and escort.
Boat: Kayak from Beto Tasi beach
Crew Spotter: Cassio
30-SEP-22
FRIDAY
3:30pm
1 Pygmy blue whale, spotted swimming along the coast in front of Comoro River. Traveling west but in a slightly zig-zag pattern.
Boat: n/a. Spotted from shore
Crew spotter: Cassio
29-SEP-22
THURSDAY
7:50am
1 Pygmy blue whale, off shore 1/3rd of the way to Beloi, Atauro. Traveling west.
Boat: Lancet, water transfer
Crew spotter: Fizzy
27-09-22
TUESDAY
8:50am
1, maybe 2 Pygmy blue whales traveling west close to the shore, spotted from the road near Pertamina Jetty.
Boat: n/a. Spotted from shore.
Crew spotter: Fizzy
26-SEP-22
MONDAY
8:10am
2 adult Pygmy blue whales, swimming close to Dili coastline and traveling west.
Boat: Lancet, water transfer
Crew spotter: Fizzy
11-SEP-22
SUNDAY
3:00pm
1 large adult sperm whale, spotted loafing at the surface during our boat crossing from Beloi to Dili.
Boat: Chae, water transfer
Crew spotter: Atino
11-SEP-22
SUNDAY
9:00am
5 adult orcas, large pod of Frasers dolphins, large pod of short-finned pilot whales all within same area around south Atauro Island.
Boat: Lancet, 2-dive day trip West Coast Atauro
Crew spotter: Syakib
Some Fun Facts!
TIMOR-LESTE CETACEANS
MARINE MAMMAL HAVEN
The coastal waters of Timor-Leste is recognized as a ‘global cetacean hotspot’, with scientific surveys identifying that at least 1/3rd of all known species of whales and dolphins in the world, can be found in these waters. Some of these species are migratory, whilst the rest can be spotted year round.
You will have plenty opportunities to encounter these beautiful animals on one of our dedicated, seasonal whale tours, or during our boat rides between Dili and Atauro.