🐋 Whale Encounters, Snorkeling & Animal Welfare
Binding Principles, Rules & Guest Responsibilities

1. Fundamental Understanding – Who Is the Guest 
Whales are free-living wild animals. 

They have inhabited this environment for thousands of years – long before boats, cameras, tourism, or human expectations existed. 

We are the guests. 
 
By entering their habitat voluntarily, we accept full responsibility for our behavior. 

This experience is not an amusement attraction, not a guaranteed activity, and not a controllable product.
It is a nature-based outdoor experience that takes place only as long as it remains safe, respectful, and acceptable for the animals.
 
2. Quality Over Sensation – Our Ethical Position 
We operate as a high-quality, professional, and responsible nature company. 
 
We do not operate for: 

• likes
• viral content
• tags
• social-media hype
• staged proximity

We operate for: 

• respect
• safety
• calm observation
• animal welfare
• long-term sustainability

 
A successful experience is one where: 

• animals do not change their natural behavior
• feeding is not interrupted
• proximity is never forced
• no unnecessary risk is taken

3. No Guarantees – An Honest Experience 
By booking, guests explicitly acknowledge: 
 
There is no guarantee of:

• sightings
• snorkeling
• proximity
• interaction
• specific animal behavior

 
Nature is not predictable.
Wild animals are not controllable.
Any encounter occurs solely at the animals’ own discretion – or not at all.
 
4. Bait Balls – Absolute Distance Policy 
Bait balls (herring schools) are critical feeding zones where whales gain energy essential for survival. 
 
Therefore, the following rules apply without exception: 

• We always keep a safe and respectful distance from bait balls
• We do not approach, cross, or position above them
• We do not place guests to close in feeding or hunting zones
• We never position ourselves between whales and their food

 
Even if: 

• exceptional photos could be taken
• dramatic scenes might occur

 
👉 We deliberately refrain.
A photograph is replaceable.
A disturbed feeding situation is not.
 
5. No Guests in Feeding Zones – Ever 
We do not place guests: 
 

• inside bait balls
• to near active feeding events
• within hunting scenarios

 
We do not want to see any guest surrounded by herring.
Feeding zones are never snorkeling zones.
 
6. Dynamic Situations – Clear Response 
Nature is dynamic. 
 
If a bait ball unintentionally moves toward our position due to: 

• currents
• fish escape behavior
• whale movement

 
the response is immediate and clear: 

• Distance is calmly and slowly increased
• Guests swim away without haste or panic
• No one waits
• No one holds position
• The area is left immediately

There is no lingering, no “just one more moment.”
 
7. Safety – Especially With Humpback Whales 
Humpback whales: 

• are extremely large and powerful
• can surface silently
• may change direction suddenly
• may unintentionally overlook people in the water

 
Any collision would be unintentional, but potentially life-threatening.
 
Therefore:
We take no risks.
 
Not for guests.
Not for animals.
 
8. Snorkeling Rules – Strict and Binding

8.1 No Active Approach to Whales 
No guest may actively, quickly, or deliberately approach whales. 
 
This includes: 

• no chasing
• no accelerating
• no positioning for proximity
• no diving under or toward animals

 
This applies even for photography or video. 
The animals decide the distance – always. 
 
Any fast or intentional approach: 

• results in a formal warning
• repetition results in immediate and permanent exclusion from snorkeling

8.2 Drysuit Mandatory 
Snorkeling is permitted only with a drysuit. 
 
The drysuit: 

• ensures controlled floating at the surface
• prevents fast or deep diving
• limits uncontrolled movement
• increases safety and visibility

 
It is a mandatory safety and animal-protection measure, not a comfort option.
 
8.3 No Freediving 
Freediving is strictly prohibited. 

Freediving enables: 

• rapid descent
• deliberate underwater approaches
• proximity that increases risk

Our concept is:
Passive observation, not pursuit.
 
9. Passive Floating – No Entitlement to Interaction 
Guests float calmly at the surface. 
They observe. 
They wait. 
 
If whales approach voluntarily, it is a gift. 
If whales keep their distance or leave, this is fully respected. 
 
There is: 

• no entitlement
• no expectation
• no discussion

10. Silence in the Water – Mandatory Conduct 
Quiet behavior in the water is essential. 
 
Therefore: 

• Guests must remain calm and quiet at all times
• Shouting, yelling, loud talking, splashing, or panic behavior is prohibited
• The only exception is a real emergency or safety-related situation

 
Unnecessary noise: 

• stresses animals
• disrupts natural behavior
• endangers others

Consequences 

First incident: formal warning

Repeated behavior: immediate exclusion from snorkeling

11. Stress Signals – Immediate Action 
 
Stress may include: 

• abrupt diving
• sudden direction changes
• withdrawal from feeding or resting
• tail slapping
• sudden silence

 
If stress is observed: 

• distance is increased
• snorkeling is ended or not initiated

 
Without discussion.
 
12. Consequences for Rule Violations 

To protect animals, guests, and staff: 

• First violation: clear, formal warning
• Repeated violation: immediate and final exclusion from snorkeling

 
There is: 

• no replacement
• no refund
• no compensation

13. Weather, Sea Conditions & Cancellations 
 
Guests explicitly acknowledge: 

• Activities may be shortened, postponed, or canceled due to:
   
• wind
• waves
• weather
• sea state
• safety considerations
• animal welfare

 
Such decisions are made solely by the operator and are final. 
 
There is no entitlement to: 

• refunds
• price reductions
• discounts
• compensation

14. Binding Acceptance & Digital Consent 
By submitting a booking, each guest expressly confirms that: 

• All rules and guidelines are fully understood and accepted
• Acceptance applies digitally
• A digital booking submission has the same legal validity as a handwritten signature
• All guidelines are respected without exception

15. Final Statement 
This experience exists only as long as: 

• animals are respected
• safety is guaranteed
• natural behavior remains undisturbed

 
The animals come first – always. 
They were here before us, and our responsibility is to ensure they remain unaffected by our presence.