Sri Lanka blue whale holiday

Environment

It is essential that we preserve the natural habitat and home of these creatures, great and small. We contribute a percentage of each safari sold to wildlife conservation and always keep our eyes peeled for new projects to get involved with. We are in alliance with The World Cetacean Alliance which is an international organisation formed by 70 partners across 36 countries which aims to conserve and protect cetaceans and their habitats. It promotes responsible whale and dolphin watching as an opportunity to learn, inspire and educate on trips that are of low impact as possible. Ocean plastics is an increasing concern and issue around the world, therefore we advise customers to purchase a reusable water canister for their safari, say no to plastic drinking straws that are swallowed by marine wildlife and take-home empty toiletries with them so they can be recycled properly if there is insufficient facilities at your destination.

We aim to reduce waste and our impact on the environment within our destinations, and at home in the UK, where our offices are based. We work in partnership with the borough of Brighton & Hove in an attempt to recycle and reuse as much as possible. Our clients are always advised on the best way to do this when away. We recommend using environmentally friendly shampoos, soaps and toiletries, to avoid leaving any litter (whether it is biodegradable or not).

Leading this expedition is BBC photographer and videographer Patrick Dykstra, conservation is of utmost importance to Patrick. He was at the forefront of blue whale documentation in Sri Lanka and worked on important research surrounding killer whales in Iceland. With years of experience from filming and photographing whales in their natural habitat Patrick has all the necessary knowledge to ensure this trip is safe and sustainable. Before you head out, travellers will be briefed on how to minimise impact and take how to take care around the wildlife to avoid injury.

Community

This bespoke whale safari contributes significantly to the local community around Weligama Bay, Sri Lanka. Guests are staying in small scale accommodation, transport and purchase of provisions etc are all purchased locally so money is fed directly back into the local community. In return travellers are rewarded with a very personal service and an insight into the lives of the local people. We encourage the use of local guides in every destination and with every local agent. Even on our specialist led safaris we try to ensure that a local guide is also used. We do not believe in taking jobs from local populations in order to provide for western needs.

We make sure tourists have the opportunity to buy local souvenirs and handicrafts, assisting further to contribute to their community, and always give support to local communities and conservation agencies. We advise people not to bargain just for the sake of it and because it is the "thing to do"; you should pay what you feel the object is worth to yourself and the vendor, bearing in mind local cultures.