Mozambique - mantas and whale sharks

Tofo, Mozambique, is one of the best places in the world to see both manta species and whale sharks in the same spot. It is one of the few places in the world where reef mantas (the recently renamed Manta alfredi) and giant mantas (that has taken over the Manta birostris name) are seen together - in the same frame even! Recent research carried out by the Tofo-based Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna calculating the local whale shark population has shown it to now be the largest in the world. Both species are visible year-round too.

Tofo’s reefs are also home to other large members of the shark and ray family:  the odd-but-stunning bowmouth guitarshark, leopard and zebra sharks,  blotched fantail rays, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see the small-eyed stingray, the largest of the ray species,  the only place in the world where it has been seen alive.

There are  mantas and giant mantas on a number of dive sites, whale sharks on the surface interval, potato groupers, beautiful schools of snapper and soldierfish, curtains of goldies and other fish waiting to clean the mantas, frogfish, schools of trevally, turtles, honeycomb moray eels, and one of the biggest giant moray eels you will ever see. There are also cool smaller creatures like the sea moth, coral whip gobies, dragon moray eels, ribbon eels, purple and yellow sea cucumbers, peacock mantis shrimp, and the usual Indian Ocean reef dwellers. In season, from June to November, Humpback whales cruise past the coast and have been encountered underwater during dives.

Located 30 minutes down a bumpy road from Inhambane, Tofo is a small village with sandy lanes on a stretch of beach that can be reached by vehicle in a day from Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, or via a flight from Johannesburg. Either way, combining it with a trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa is an ideal way to mix the reef with the bush. The Kruger’s renowned and excellent infrastructure make many sections rather tourist-heavy, but with our knowledge finding quiet spots for more intimate encounters is not a problem. Alternatively, you could combine Moz’ with a trip to Aliwal Shoal in South Africa for some excellent shark encounters or the Sardine Run. Contact us for Kruger safari information or click here.

There is a good choice of budget to mid-range accommodation available, with a night starting at 42 euros for a double room, A quality double or twin room with air-conditioning, on the beach sots 63 to 73 euros per night. For groups of six or more a night sharing a basic house starts at 10 euros each, though  the better quality options  are in the 30 euro per person bracket.

Accommodation fact sheet and images here


Read an article about diving in Tofo here.

New for 2013 - THE WHALE SHARK RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

5, 7, and 10-day all-inclusive packages diving and swimming with the world's largest fish, helping Dr Simon Pierce, one of the world's leading whale shark research scientists, and his team with their research programs. And as well as being a top scientist, he's a charming and witty chap, depite originating from New Zealand.

Tofo Beach offers a world exclusive – not only can you swim with whale sharks in a world-class dive destination, you can participate in research on these gentle giants with a world expert marine biologist. Explore the reefs, home to manta rays, sharks, sea turtles and amazing macro life, then snorkel with whale sharks to your heart’s content. Afterwards, hit the beach, surf or just relax in the comfort of all-inclusive Casa Barry Beach Lodge.

Whale sharks are found year-round off the warm sub-tropical coast of Mozambique. The area immediately off the peaceful village of Tofo Beach is a global hotspot for these iconic sharks. Your guide, Dr Simon Pierce from the Marine Megafauna Foundation, has identified over 620 whale sharks that call Mozambican waters home giving Tofo Beach the largest year-round population of whale sharks in the world.

 

Simon Pierce and his team have been conducting research on these amazing fishes in Mozambique and around the world since 2005. His work has been featured by the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and innumerable other outlets. His enthusiasm and passion for marine life is contagious. You will be an active participant in the research, receiving exclusive presentations and training in whale shark photo-identification, tagging and tissue-sampling. Interested in marine biology? You’ll love this!

 

THE PACKAGE

This package, available in 5, 7 or 10 day options, is inclusive of:

•Daily dives and 2-3 hr whale shark research expeditions led by Dr Simon Pierce

•Exclusive presentations and training in whale shark research techniques

•Accommodation at Casa Barry Lodge (1, 2 or 4-sleeper rooms available)

•All-inclusive food and drinks at Casa Barry Beach Lodge

•Airport transfers to Inhambane International Airport (25 mins from Tofo), which offers flights from Maputo and Johannesburg (flights not included)

•Dive gear rental

 

Start dates for 2013

 

February & March          May & June         October & November

 

Feb 23rd                         May 18th             October 19th

 

March 2nd                      May 25th             October 26th

 

March 9th                      June 8th               November 2nd 

 

March 16th                    June 15th              November 9th

 

 

THE VALUE

 

Five-night package (four dives + whale shark swims)

•Two people sharing (per person) £1355

•Single occupancy £1400

•Four people sharing (per person) £995

 

Seven-day package (five dives + whale shark swims)

•Two people sharing (per person) £1785

•Single occupancy £1895

•Four people sharing (per person) £1350

 

Ten-day package (eight dives + whale shark swims)

•Two people sharing (per person) £2600

•Single occupancy £2750

•Four people sharing (per person) £1985

 

Prices are all-inclusive of accommodation, food and drinks, dive gear hire, airport transfers and sponsorship for the world-leading research and conservation programmes of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which you are welcome to explore further during your trip.

 

 

Mozambique

Mozambique