Swimming With Humpback Whales

I'm planning a trip, probably won't happen for another couple of years, to go down the Dominican Republic (Silver Bank to be more exact) to watch the Humpback Whales on their breeding and calving grounds. The trip I'm looking includes at least one day where you actually get in the water to watch the whales under the water. I've seen some amazing photos and would love to be able to capture my own.

I currently use an Xti, but I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a new camera purposely made for underwater photography or if I should get an underwater housing for my Xti. I still have no clue how those underwater casings work so I still have to do some research there, but now is the time to start planning.This trip is pretty expensive so I really don't see myself going very often, but still the urge to get those perfect photos is kind of weighing on me. I guess I just want to get the best considering I won't be able to go very often.

What would you recommend?

Mandy, I just got back from Maui where it is peak humpback season and I saw a wide variety of underwater cameras and housings. I recommend buying an underwater housing unit for your camera and then you have it for your water adventures and future needs.
BTW, you might think about west Maui as an inexpensive alternative as they had about 2000 whales there when we went this past week. Plus you get to be in Hawaii Feb.- March are their peak months and it is a lovely 82 degrees with cool trade winds. Sooooo nice.

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking of going with the underwater housing. I just have to read up on them to figure out which one! Hawaii sounds really nice, but for now I'll stick to Silver Bank. The reason is because that's where "my" population of humpbacks go so there's a chance I might some of the whales that I know very well from my trips in the summer.

Mandy, check out www.wetpixel.com. You will get plenty of information there and can ask recommendation for your underwater camera setup.