Soloveytsky Islands:
swimming with Beluga whales

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14-21 June / 21-28 June, 2020
  • 8 days
  • Beluga whales, seals, informative programme
  • Easy level
    difficulty
  • 138.000 RUB
What to expect from the trip?
A unique experience - swimming with wild Belugas (white whales) near the Solovetsky Islands!
The Solovetsky Islands (or also referred to as Solovki) are the heart of the White Sea. The beauty of the pristine nature of the Russian North is combined with the rich history and spirit of sea adventures. Every summer Belugas (or white whales) come here. Every day these beautiful animals gather near the Beluga Cape. Here they breed, give birth, care for and train their cubs, communicate with each other. It is said that sometimes there are even fights of males, and then water around the boat boils.
Whale Watching Russia are the only ones in the world who have learned to swim with Beluga whales near the Solovetsky Islands. More precisely, Beluga whales do their swim with us, they come and look at us curiously. It took us 4 years to implement this project. This technique is quite a complex one, and only we can apply it.
In order to minimize the anxiety of animals, as well as to make our guests get the most complete impressions, we do swimming in small groups up to 4 people, and during the low season, when Belugas are already there, but yet there are very few tourists. We only do two trips of this kind per year.
In addition to observing Beluga whales, nature lovers can expect the freediving with seals, which can be observed every day on the Top Island. It is home to ringed seals and bearded seals.
In our spare time we will go on our land route programme, we will drive through the Island and imbue with its spirit, touch the rich and sometimes tragic history of archipelago of the Gulag times, learn about life of the islanders.
    Itinerary
    Day 1
    Arrival and hotel check-in. Acquaintance with the Island. Walking through the village. Visit to the Labyrinths Cape and the Maritime Museum. In the evening we will have a lecture about the Arctic. Snorkeling equipment preparations for the upcoming days.
    Day 2-7
    We will set sail and will be watching Beluga whales on the Beluga Cape for several hours and try to swim with them using our special technique. Next stop is the Top Island, home to two species of seals. Snorkeling with seals. Visit to the Sennaya Luda Island, where we will see sunken ships and visit bird bazaars.
    After returning home and relaxing we will go to explore the land route of the Island.
    Day 8
    Free time in the morning. Departures in the afternoon.
    Cost: 138.000 RUB
    Dates:
    14-21 June / 21-28 June, 2020
    • Included:
      • Hotel accommodation (double). Accommodation in a "luxury" hotel or single room is provided upon request
      • Food and meals: breakfasts, light snacks on the boat and during other rides and trips
      • All transfers in accordance with the programme
      • Sailing and trips around the Island
      • Transfers from/to the airport/the berth
      • Snorkeling weight belts
      • Swimming with wild animals in the White Sea
    • Not included:
      • Food: Dinner, lunches in the village
      • Drinks
      • The road to/from Solovki
      • Unforeseen road costs in case of bad weather
    • Recommended gear and equipment
      • Warm and waterproof clothing, hat, gloves, trekking boots for walking in the woods
      • Mosquito spray
    • Equipment for snorkeling and freediving
      • Dry wetsuit
      • Diving mask
      • Shape breathing tube - snorkel
      • Swim fins
      • Neoprene gloves
      • GoPro or any underwater camera
    Useful information
    • Weather
      Average air temperatures are from +15°C to +23°C
      Average water temperatures are from +8°C to +12°C
    • How to get there
      The best way to get to Solovki is by train. From Moscow or St. Petersburg you can take a train to the town of Kem, from where the ferry named M/V "Vasily Kosyakov" (a passenger boat of internal and mixed (river-sea) navigation) goes. You can book tickets on the website via http://prichalrk.ru/service/trans.html.
      A private boat can also be ordered from the town of Kem.
      There is also a flight from Arkhangelsk to Solovki several times a week. Tickets can be purchased on the website of the nordavia.ru
    Tour leaders
    • Mikhail Korostelev
      Mike is the award-winning underwater and wildlife photographer and diver who have travelled around the world for many years in seach of the biggest underwater animals. Former IT-specialist, now he is a wildlife guide and shares his experiernce with the other people. He is famous for his love towards nature and positive attitude towards everyone. Mike's most beloved places are Africa, Galapagos and Kamchtka.
    • Stas Zakharov
      Stas is the passionate underwater photographer, biologist, diving instructor, speedboat driver, wildlife guide and expedition leader. Stas is always optimistic and very enthusiastic, he shares his positive mood with the others. His lectures about whales and other animals are always interesting and useful for our guests. He loves being around big animals and prefers cold waters, his favorite destinations are Norway, Azores and Russian Arctic.
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    Contacts
    Phone: +7 495 181 10 88
    E-mail: booking@team-trip.ru
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