Location: Valdez Peninsula, Patagonia, Argentina
Southern Right Whale Underwater Photography
Photographing Southern Right Whales and dolphins in Patagonia
The Right Whale to Photograph
Once upon a time, right whales were hunted for their oil and blubber. They were so easy to approach that they were known as ‘the right whale to kill’. Thankfully, those awful days are over but the name has stuck. Right whales are still extremely easy to get close to in the water. It is not unusual for them to approach boats and snorkellers; trusting their lives into your care. Coming eye to eye with this beautiful species is an experience you will never forget.
Leave Your Dive Gear at Home but bring your Camera
Southern right whales spend a lot of time at the surface so you do not need to scuba dive to enjoy encounters with them. This means you can pack light and have more room for cameras and lenses!
This trip is specifically designed for professional photographers. Anyone joining this trip must bring a professional quality camera in a large underwater housing.
THE ENCOUNTER
Photographing Southern Right Whales and dolphins underwater
2025
DATE
August 8-14 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$7895 per person double occupancy
Single room supplement $1600
LEADER
Julian Gunther
2027
DATE
August TBA 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
Single room supplement $1600
LEADER
Julian Gunther
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Paradise Lodge in Puerto Pyramides
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
For professional photographers only.
All participants must use a professional level camera, and provide a link to a photography website showcasing their work, and a resumé listing their accomplishments and credits.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 nights accommodation in a comfortable lodge in Puerto Pyramides
- Transfers from/to Trelew airport/Puerto Pyramides
- Continental breakfast
- 5 full days of southern right whale underwater photography with an experienced guide and crew aboard a large, roomy dive boat.
NOT INCLUDED
- Snorkeling / photography equipment
- Flights
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Gratuities
ITINERARY
A Typical Day among Gentle Giants
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will head out for our first encounters with southern right whales. You will probably see many whales from the boat; a chance to watch the whales coming to life as the sun rises. They frequently breach, tail slap and roll around at the surface. You could photograph their spray suspended in the sunrays and watch their interactions as they socialize. You may witness courting behavior or mothers bonding with their calves. Southern rights are extremely social animals both among their own kind and with humans. It is not unusual for them to approach boats, especially young calves that have an insatiable curiosity.
When we come across friendly animals, two photographers at a time will have a chance to slip into the water with the whales. Unlike other species, it is unusual for the whales to retreat so you will likely have an opportunity to take many photographs if you approach them slowly with non-threatening actions.
We will return to shore for lunch in the afternoon and then head out once again in the late afternoon for more time among Patagonia’s gentle giants, returning as the sun is setting. During the shorter afternoon sessions, you could also enter the water, but when the sky turns from blue to orange, this is a great opportunity to photograph the whales breaching in the warm orange glow.
Then dinner, good company, downloading images, sleep and repeat…
Weather permitting, you can expect to enjoy five full days at sea in the company of abundant, approachable whales. If we have any weather days, you are invited to join us on a wildlife tour of Peninsula Valdez; an important wildlife refuge and a UNESCO world heritage protected area.
The peninsula is home to colonies of South American sea lions, herds of guanacos and numerous other animals endemic to this region. Some of the other animals you may spot as we are driving around the peninsula include, Argentine grey foxes, rheas (ostrich-like birds), maras (somewhere between a guinea pig and a rabbit) and hairy armadillos.
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
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
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
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!!
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
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
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
