Whale Expedition. They pass Rio from June to August. We go out to meet them.

Five hours of open sea after the biggest animal that passes Rio.

Between June and August humpback whales travel up the Rio coast towards the warm waters where their calves are born. We leave Marina da Glória at 07:00, pass Flamengo and Botafogo, and stop off Urca for the biologists' briefing: how the whales behave, how we approach without disturbing them, what to look for. Then we head for the Cagarras islands, where sightings are most likely, and stay about an hour on the spot.

We don't promise whales — nobody can. We promise the biologists, the crew, the onboard service with coffee, the prize draw and quiz at the end, and a whole morning of open sea with Rio on the horizon. Those who see one never forget it. Those who don't almost always come back.

• Coffee, juice, water, soft drinks, caipirinha, caipivodka and beer
• Filled bread, cold-cut skewers with cherry tomato, cheese, cucumber and olives, toasts, peanuts and fruit
• Onboard biologists, with a briefing before the sighting and company throughout the expedition
• Prize draw and quiz at the end
• Starlink internet for the whole trip