Location: Rio Negro, Amazonia, Brazil
Amazon Pink River Dolphin Snorkeling Adventure
Snorkeling with Pink River Dolphins and exploring the Amazon
Join us in the Rio Negro in Amazonia; the best place in the world to come face to face with Pink River Dolphins underwater. Although visibility in the river is limited by tannin rich water flowing from the forests to the sea, pink dolphins are so friendly and playful that photographing them is as easy as it is rewarding.
Locally called Botos, pink dolphins live in the Rio Negro throughout the year, hunting by echo-location rather than vision. The largest male botos can weigh at 200kg but they are extremely gentle around snorkelers.
When not playing with pink dolphins, we will also take you on boat tours into the Rio Negro’s smaller tributaries in search of Tucuxi or grey river dolphins which often porpoise near the boat. On our river tours, you may also see a variety of Amazonian primates including capuchins, squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys, as well as three toed sloths, and many exotic birds.
In the evenings, we will return to the river yet again to seek out black and spectacled caimans, and other nocturnal reptiles and amphibians.
THE ENCOUNTER
Snorkeling with Pink Dolphins and searching for exotic birds, caimans, monkeys, and other wildlife in Amazonia
2025
DATES
June 10-14 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$2,695 per person double occupancy
$3,145 per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2026
DATES
Jun 9-13 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$2,995 per person double occupancy
$3,495 per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2027
DATES
TBA 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable eco lodge on the bank of the Rio Negro.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Minimal snorkeling experience.
START/FINISH LOCATION
Manaus, Brazil
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Daily snorkeling sessions with pink river dolphins
- Two late afternoon boat tours to photograph terrestrial animals and birds.
- Two evening boat tours to photograph caimans and other nocturnal animals.
- Morning sunrise tour on the Rio Negro.
- English and Portuguese speaking guide throughout the expedition.
- Night One in the Ibis Hotel in Manaus.
- Nights Two and Three at a comfortable eco-lodge on the Rio Negro.
- Night Four at the Ibis Hotel in Manaus.
- All meals while at the lodge.
- Boat transfers between Manaus and the lodge.
- Transfers from Manaus Airport to the Ibis Hotel.
NOT INCLUDED
- Personal snorkeling equipment.
- Flights to Manaus.
- Meals in Manaus.
- Alcohol and soft drinks.
PINK DOLPHIN TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in the Amazon. Our driver will pick you up at Manaus Airport and bring you to the Ibis Hotel.
Meet your trip leader, relax, have dinner, and prepare for the adventure ahead!
Day 2
Buffet breakfast at the Ibis Hotel
Boat transfer along the Rio Negro to the lodge (approx 2hrs). On route, watch for Tucuxi dolphins and other river life.
Settle into the lodge, prep cameras for the afternoon activities, and then enjoy a tranquil lunch overlooking the river.
After lunch, we will head along the Rio Negro to a floating platform where you will have your first chance to snorkel with pink river dolphins.
In the late afternoon, we will head into the river’s smaller tributaries in search of monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds.
A delicious buffet dinner will be served at the lodge as the sun sinks into the river.
After dinner, you are invited to grab your flashlight and camera and return to the river for a night cruise looking for black and spectacled caimans and other nocturnal reptiles and amphibians.
Day 3
After waking up to breakfast overlooking the river, We will head along the Rio Negro for another session snorkeling with pink river dolphins. The interactions take place at a few different spots, including purpose built platforms and at natural beaches at the sides of the river. We will head wherever the largest pods of dolphins have been seen.
After lunch at the lodge, you will have time for an early afternoon siesta in your chalet, or if you’re feeling energetic, walk the grounds in search of Amazonian birds and lizards.
Later in the afternoon, we will return to the river to look for more monkeys and birds. Raptors such as black-collared hawks are extremely common in the trees that line the river.
After dinner at the lodge, we will head out on a second night tour to look for owls, caimans and other nocturnal animals.
Day 4
This morning we will head out just before dawn to watch the sun rise over the Rio Negro and to see the jungle slowly come to life.
After returning to the lodge for a final breakfast, we will head out one more time to snorkel with pink river dolphins. then return to the lodge to shower and pick up luggage, then head down river, back to Manaus.
Final dinner at the Ibis Hotel.
Day 5
Breakfast, farewells, and depart Manaus.
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
