Dear All,
Please find the dates for the trips in the Sea of Cortes 2011 on the ‘Dates & Prices’ page of this website. Even as I write that date it feels absurd. Planning so far in advance always makes me feel giddy, but there is so much demand and in order to be sure of the boats etc, I have to start now.

So as usual, it is first come first served, no favourites.

It is slightly terrifying to have so many people’s expectations in one’s hands, I can only say that we will do our best, as we always do. Nature being what it is nothing is guaranteed.

I have been running whale watching trips for 21 years and already have a very loyal client base and I would be delighted to add you to that. However, I am not first and foremost a businessman, my passion is whales and I am very committed to running the trips in a particular way. I like snibbling about with small groups and hopefully having miraculous encounters. If I change the way I do things to accommodate everyone, then I would be compromising on everything I hold dear. Sadly, this means that there are never going to be enough places to go round.

I have gone over this and over this and always come up with the same answer. I do it the way I do because I believe in it and I cannot change it. There are bigger boats that would take more but that would be a different thing altogether. So I have kept it exactly as we do now and to the same period, which is the best time. There are genuinely no “best dates”, potentially they are all the same.

There are some caveats to booking so far in advance:

1) If it turns out to be an El Nino year then it can be very much quieter for animals than normal and at 18 months distance no one can predict that.

2) Of course it is nature and there can be no guarantees. There is no reason why things should change dramatically between now and then, but who knows.

3) I have increased prices as air fares and everything else has gone up along with the price of oil. However I have made what I think are realistic increases and unless there are very significant rises, then I think I have planned for it. If there are huge rises I shall have to pass them on and you will have the opportunity to decline.

4) Flight schedules have changed a lot recently due to the recession/oil prices and there have been cuts in flight numbers; currently there are no longer daily flights to La Paz from Los Angeles. I cannot say exactly when we will fly, nor which route, so it is best to assume the dates are approximate at this stage. I susupect the reality is there is likely to be an additional night or two in hotels en route.

5) Deposits are non refundable. However if you have a genuine reason for cancellation then your insurance will cover that.

6) If you book please do not expect any further contact until Sept 2010. That is when I shall start booking fights, etc. Apart from securing your place and the boat there really is nothing further to do and I will contact you then. You will receive confirmation of your booking/deposit.

7) I realise people may want to make alternative flight arrangements. Please leave this until then also, unless of course you cannot for some reason. I shall contact you when relevant and see what you want to do and we can then proceed.

8) If you want to book : E mail or telephone with your request for the relevant number of spaces. Download a booking form from the web site and send with a deposit of £900.pp. I shall simply take bookings as they come, it seems the fairest way to do it. On making a booking with us you will receive a confirmation by return. You will also receive details that will help you with your forthcoming holidays such as, background information to the area, details of what to bring, clothing required, flight details, hotel accommodation where applicable etc.

9) The balance will be due 12 weeks before the start date of your trip. All our terms and conditions are on the reverse of the booking form. Payment can be made by cheque or bank transfer (you will need to contact us in order to expedite the latter) and should be made to Oceanus Ltd.

I can only take 40 and will do it on a first come first served basis. I know there are many more of you than that and I hate to let people down but can think of no other way to do it. If anyone has a group (families/children etc) I may be able to arrange something for them so please call.

If you have any questions, which you need to discuss, then please call or send an email.
Yours, Swanny.

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