Historic EYOS expedition aboard M/Y Solace discovers Dominican Republic’s Navidad Bank as major breeding ground for humpback whales

The Groundbreaking Expedition Fills Critical Data Gap to Safeguard Humpback Populations, While Underscoring the Power of Marine Stewardship 

Image credit: Carribean Cetacean Society

SEATTLE, WA – April 2026 – In a historic breakthrough for marine conservation, EYOS Expeditions, the world leader in superyacht expeditions and pioneer in science-driven exploration, announces a landmark discovery revealing Navidad Bank, Dominican Republic as one of the world’s most densely populated humpback whale breeding grounds,identifiedaboard the 57m Feadship M/Y Solace’s recent scientific voyage. In partnership with Yachts For Science, Solace has opened her decks to researchers, scientists, and storytellers, enabling vital ocean research in some of the most inaccessible places on Earth – most recently to Navidad Bank, a shallow submerged coral bank located 100 kilometers off the coast of the Dominican Republic. With research led by the Dominican Republic Government and support from the Caribbean Cetacean Society, the expedition yielded compelling evidence of never-seen-before humpback whale density, including the documentation of 513 sightings in a single day, firmly establishing the area as one of the world’s most important  breeding grounds identified t0-date. The observations will now be presented to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), solidifying a scientific foundation to better protect these populations across the entire region.

Despite its reputation as a critical winter nursery for North Atlantic humpbacks, Navidad Bank has remained the least-studied area within the Marine Mammal Sanctuary of Bancos de la Plata y la Navidad. These findings from a multi-disciplinary team of scientists (Fundación Puntacana and Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos/FUNDEMAR), provide the first comprehensive look at the bank’s population density, effectively filling a high-priority data void identified by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Supporting the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of protecting 30 percent of oceans by 2030, the expedition serves as a powerful proof of concept that Protected Marine Areas (PMAs) are essential engines for wildlife population recovery, made all the more remarkable by the fact that the encounters occurred well ahead of peak migration season and within close proximity to a metropolitan area (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). 

Image credit: EYOS expeditions

“This is an extraordinary testament to the power of long-term marine conservation,” said Jonathan Delance, Chief Conservation Officer, Dominican Republic Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. “Decades of conservation have allowed humpback whales to thrive in Dominican waters, and the density documented at Navidad Bank underscores the global importance of creating a sanctuary for our treasured marine life.”

Such breakthroughs are made possible through Solace’s investment as a floating research hub during her scientific expeditions led by EYOS Expeditions, designed to support the front lines of discovery, as demonstrated during this record-breaking voyage to Navidad Bank. In addition to her primary function as an expedition superyacht, Solace also serves as a high-precision basecamp for scientific research and observation, utilizing constant-speed navigation and long-range acoustic monitoring to capture continuous whale vocalizations. 

“There is a profound movement transforming vessels like Solace into sophisticated platforms for discovery. The commitment from Solace to host this expedition proves that private yachting can and should be at the vanguard of ocean research, especially in the most remote and data-deficient corners of our planet,” said Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS Expeditions. “EYOS has long been a pioneer in the intersection of private philanthropic expeditions and scientific discovery. There’s a profound fulfillment in knowing that your journey contributes to history, supporting world-recognized achievements, advancing knowledge, and leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations"

Solace will continue to host researchers in support of discovery, and those who charter the vessel can also opt to invite researchers on their own expeditions, enabling guests to witness and support real-time field studies, much like the landmark mission to Navidad Bank that yielded world-changing results. Solace will once again be available for charter in the Caribbean come November 2026, offering travelers a front-row seat to the ocean’s most majestic inhabitants, from humpbacks and sperm whales to the elusive orca, where EYOS will curate bespoke guest expeditions with the added option for guests to commission their own scientific missions on board.

Image credit: Carribean Cetacean Society

“We have seen a profound shift toward travel that yields a sense of purpose through genuine exploration,” said Rob McCallum, Co-Founder of EYOS Expeditions. “Our guests are increasingly moving beyond the collection of rare assets to the pursuit of rare experiences, investing their resources into moments that contribute to our understanding of the natural world.”

Over the past decade, EYOS Expeditions has led and facilitated a total of 35 record-setting voyages to some of the most remote places on Earth, working alongside scientists, explorers and polar experts to push the boundaries of private adventure travel. From being the first to reach the deepest point of all five oceans to traveling the furthest south than any vessel in history, EYOS is known for enabling expeditions that contribute to scientific understanding and environmental stewardship.

As a founding member of Yachts for Science, EYOS has long championed the belief that private yachts can be powerful platforms for science. The collaboration has matched dozens of top-tier ocean science projects with yacht owners willing to provide a temporary research platform, enabling owners to host small teams and support vital ocean research. The program reflects a growing recognition among yacht owners and guests alike that true luxury lies not only in discovery but in stewardship and using access to make a measurable impact.

Originally completed in 2005, the 57m Feadship Solace recently underwent a meticulous ten-month refit at Pendennis Shipyard, one of the world’s leading superyacht refit and custom-build facilities. Accommodating 12 guests in five suites, with additional berths for guides, instructors, or researchers, she blends luxury with functionality, creating a platform that supports both exploration and meaningful science. Her array of expedition tools and toys – including hydro-acoustic systems, tenders, diving gear, eFoils, Esurf boards, SeaBobs, and more – ensures guests can explore with comfort, versatility, and purpose.

To learn more about EYOS Expeditions, please visit www.eyos-expeditions.com