Humpback Whales: Silver Bank, Dominican Republic

Just about every dive trip to the Silver Bank — a 1,100-square-mile area approximately 60 miles north of the Dominican Republic — delivers the chance to witness the awe-inspiring behavior of humpback whales. From January to March, this region of the Caribbean attracts the greatest concentration of these nomadic mammals in the Atlantic — and possibly even the world — in part thanks to the style of “soft in-water” interaction here. The on-board wildlife experts ensure that participants never approach the whales but let the animals dictate the nature of the meetings. And when you’re dealing with animals this massive, it’s only natural to let them dictate whatever terms they want.