Snorkelling
Trips
Our snorkeling trip is a 2 hour ocean
safari where we take people up close and personal with
the magnificent whalesharks that frequent our waters,
also spotting dolphins, humpback whales (June –
October), and sometimes mantas.
It all begins in the dive centre where we provide you
with everything you need to swim comfortably alongside
the biggest fish in the ocean -wetsuit, mask, snorkel
and fins. You will be briefed on important do’s
and don’ts before heading down the beach to launch
your adventure!
This is a truly unforgettable experience and one non-divers
and families can enjoy -children 10 years and under are
free!
Whalesharks
are mostly summer visitors with the best time of year
to see them here being November until April. Whalesharks
are gentle creatures - non-aggressive plankton feeders
that can reach up to 12m in length with average lengths
of 8-9m. During November and March, numbers of whalesharks
are high with up to 20 individual sharks being spotted
during 30 minute boat journeys. The whalesharks cruise
along, at or just below the surface so it’s best
to simply snorkel with them. It is very important not
to touch or ride the whalesharks as human touch removes
a protective mucus from their skin which can lead to serious
infection. During the winter months, there are fewer whalesharks
in the area but it is still possible to see them on occasions.
Humpback
Whales visit the area from as early as June until
as late as October. The whales spend the summer months
in Antarctic waters feeding on large amounts of krill,
then migrate up the east coast of Africa to mate and give
birth. After a gestation period of around 12 months, females
give birth to one calf which is suckled for another 11
months. Females then fall pregnant again. The whales often
jump fully out of the water (breaching), or hold their
tails high out of the water for quite long periods of
time (sailing) and slap their tails and fins on the surface
which is behaviour associated with mating. While diving,
it is possible to hear them “singing” to one
another – a sound that can be heard from up to 2km
away. It is important not to disturb these creatures,
especially mothers with calves, so boats are advised to
keep a respectable distance of no less than 200m away.
Dolphins
can be seen in Mozambican waters most of the year but
June, July and August are very good months for them. There
are various species of dolphins in this area including
Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins and Humpback dolphins.
Dolphins are rarely seen alone but usually in groups known
as pods – sometimes in very large numbers. Female
dolphins slap the water with their tails to encourage
younger dolphins to keep up with the pod. Dolphins have
been seen riding the waves almost in to shore and playing
at the bows of diving and fishing boats.
