WHALE TOURS:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT KIND OF WHALES WILL WE GET TO SEE?
Timor-Leste is lucky to have recorded sightings of at least 24 species of dolphins and whales either residing or passing through our waters. Species such as melon-headed whales, short-finned pilot whales, Fraser’s dolphins, spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and others have been seen year-round, whilst some species like the pygmy blue whales and sperm whales are migratory species. Depending on the day you are on the water, any combination of the species known to frequent Timor-Leste waters may be encountered. Our tours run during the time of year where sightings tend to be at its peak, due to calm ocean conditions and great visibility.
AM I GUARANTEED TO SEE A WHALE?
As with all things nature, no, we can't guarantee a definite whale sighting on any of the tours. On most days, we will have more than one vessel roaming the waters, therefore increasing chances of sighting one. Our spotter crews are also on full alert throughout all our tours in our attempt to find marine fauna for you to contemplate in wonder. We sometimes even encounter dolphins and other species of cetaceans during the tours. We believe in running an honest operation hence once we announce the official start of the migration we believe that the chances of sighting a whale is there. Ultimately our aim is to provide you with an enjoyable & memorable time on the water :)
ARE THE WHALES THERE ALL YEAR?
Each year, pygmy blue whales pass through Timor waters in a Northerly migration between the months of May-July, towards the Banda Sea and what is assumed to be their breeding zone. We don’t run tours during these months as they coincide with easterly trade winds, making for choppy seas. Later in the year, between October and early December, these same whales make their way back on a Southerly migration towards Australia to feeding zones, passing through Timor waters again. We run our PIWWE & whale watching tours during this portion of their migration. Some of the other smaller whale & dolphin species can be seen here year-round, but the 'rockstar' pygmy blue whales don't call Timor-Leste waters home.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE WHALES WILL ARRIVE?
Our assumptions that this year, the pygmy blue whale southern migration will begin sometime in mid-October onwards, is based on our own sightings of their northern migration which occurred recently. Another factor that is taken into account is the weather patterns and ocean upwellings. There is no way to be sure of the exact date the whales start turning back south, but Compass regularly has boats on the water and our spotters are always keeping an eye out for sightings of the first whales to make their way through. We aim to share announcements of the migration via our social media channels.
DO MANY WHALES PASS BY DURING THE MIGRATION SEASON?
We hope so! Based on sighting records compiled through cooperation of all operators here in Dili, since 2016 there are approximately 400 individual pygmy blue whales passing through our waters within any given season. Data also shows that on a 'peak day', up to 15 to 20 whales have been spotted to swim past the coast. There are of course sometimes a mix of quiet days in between, where lesser or even no whales are seen to be passing through. It's all about keeping our eyes open to see if they're around!
CAN I SCUBA DIVE WITH A WHALE?
We don't run scuba diving trips for whale encounters, firstly as a means to not be intrusive on the whales, and also because the whales we encounter are mainly on a mission to go to their intended destination - hence they are constantly on the move in very deep waters. The most personal opportunity on offer is a Passive In-Water Whale Encounter (PIWWE) tour, where there is an option to snorkel in the water - at a respectful distance - with a passing whale, should the opportunity materalizes.
ARE YOUR TOURS GUIDED?
All our tours come with a professional staff as your main host. Because of our own appreciation of the ocean and the magnificent life that harbours within it, we include beautiful and educative briefings to all guests who join us on our tours to share our knowledge of the cetaceans of Timor-Leste, migration patterns, observable behaviours and more. We want our tours to not only be about checking off a to-do list of seeing a whale, but for everyone to truly contemplate the significance and importance of these animals to our ecosystem.
ARE THE PIWWE TOURS SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES?
We welcome everyone to be part of the group on the PIWWE Tour, but note that the PIWWE trip does involve extended hours in the boat, on the water, exposed to the elements. Our speedboats have partial shade, no onboard toilets, and October & November tend to be the hottest months in Timor-Leste. The young and the elderly should be of good health, comfortable swimmers in deep water (if wanting to attempt whale swims - but they are more than welcome to opt to stay on the boat as well!). We encourage you to chat with one of our team members prior to booking a tour, should you intend to bring youths under the age of 12, or elderlies over the age of 60, on the PIWWE tour.
DO YOU PROVIDE EQUIPMENT?
Towel, mask, snorkel, and snorkel fins are provided for the tours. You are encouraged to bring your own rashguard, mask + snorkel sets, and freediving fins if you have them.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE TOUR?
We recommend wearing light, quick-drying sun-protective wear - airy cotton based clothes, a hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen. Long lycra swim pants and rashguards also helps against potential sunburn. Water temperature tends to stay at an average of 28° Celcius.
IS THERE A REFUND IF WE DON'T SEE ANY WHALES?
Once a tour runs and is executed fully there are no refunds
AM I GUARANTEED TO SEE A WHALE?
As with all things nature, no, we can't guarantee a definite whale sighting on any of the tours. On most days, we will have more than one vessel roaming the waters, therefore increasing chances of sighting one. Our spotter crews are also on full alert throughout all our tours in our attempt to find marine fauna for you to contemplate in wonder. We sometimes even encounter dolphins and other species of cetaceans during the tours. We believe in running an honest operation hence once we announce the official start of the migration we believe that the chances of sighting a whale is there. Ultimately our aim is to provide you with an enjoyable & memorable time on the water :)
ARE THE WHALES THERE ALL YEAR?
Each year, pygmy blue whales pass through Timor waters in a Northerly migration between the months of May-July, towards the Banda Sea and what is assumed to be their breeding zone. We don’t run tours during these months as they coincide with easterly trade winds, making for choppy seas. Later in the year, between October and early December, these same whales make their way back on a Southerly migration towards Australia to feeding zones, passing through Timor waters again. We run our PIWWE & whale watching tours during this portion of their migration. Some of the other smaller whale & dolphin species can be seen here year-round, but the 'rockstar' pygmy blue whales don't call Timor-Leste waters home.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE WHALES WILL ARRIVE?
Our assumptions that this year, the pygmy blue whale southern migration will begin sometime in mid-October onwards, is based on our own sightings of their northern migration which occurred recently. Another factor that is taken into account is the weather patterns and ocean upwellings. There is no way to be sure of the exact date the whales start turning back south, but Compass regularly has boats on the water and our spotters are always keeping an eye out for sightings of the first whales to make their way through. We aim to share announcements of the migration via our social media channels.
DO MANY WHALES PASS BY DURING THE MIGRATION SEASON?
We hope so! Based on sighting records compiled through cooperation of all operators here in Dili, since 2016 there are approximately 400 individual pygmy blue whales passing through our waters within any given season. Data also shows that on a 'peak day', up to 15 to 20 whales have been spotted to swim past the coast. There are of course sometimes a mix of quiet days in between, where lesser or even no whales are seen to be passing through. It's all about keeping our eyes open to see if they're around!
CAN I SCUBA DIVE WITH A WHALE?
We don't run scuba diving trips for whale encounters, firstly as a means to not be intrusive on the whales, and also because the whales we encounter are mainly on a mission to go to their intended destination - hence they are constantly on the move in very deep waters. The most personal opportunity on offer is a Passive In-Water Whale Encounter (PIWWE) tour, where there is an option to snorkel in the water - at a respectful distance - with a passing whale, should the opportunity materalizes.
ARE YOUR TOURS GUIDED?
All our tours come with a professional staff as your main host. Because of our own appreciation of the ocean and the magnificent life that harbours within it, we include beautiful and educative briefings to all guests who join us on our tours to share our knowledge of the cetaceans of Timor-Leste, migration patterns, observable behaviours and more. We want our tours to not only be about checking off a to-do list of seeing a whale, but for everyone to truly contemplate the significance and importance of these animals to our ecosystem.
ARE THE PIWWE TOURS SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES?
We welcome everyone to be part of the group on the PIWWE Tour, but note that the PIWWE trip does involve extended hours in the boat, on the water, exposed to the elements. Our speedboats have partial shade, no onboard toilets, and October & November tend to be the hottest months in Timor-Leste. The young and the elderly should be of good health, comfortable swimmers in deep water (if wanting to attempt whale swims - but they are more than welcome to opt to stay on the boat as well!). We encourage you to chat with one of our team members prior to booking a tour, should you intend to bring youths under the age of 12, or elderlies over the age of 60, on the PIWWE tour.
DO YOU PROVIDE EQUIPMENT?
Towel, mask, snorkel, and snorkel fins are provided for the tours. You are encouraged to bring your own rashguard, mask + snorkel sets, and freediving fins if you have them.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE TOUR?
We recommend wearing light, quick-drying sun-protective wear - airy cotton based clothes, a hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen. Long lycra swim pants and rashguards also helps against potential sunburn. Water temperature tends to stay at an average of 28° Celcius.