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Mozambique Whale Shark Conservation

From £1,299, 2 weeks, Mozambique

  • Volunteering
  • Adventure 4 out of 5
  • Relaxation 4 out of 5
  • Culture 3 out of 5
Mozambique Whale Shark Conservation

Trip Highlights

  • Swimming with Whale Sharks – you’ve always wanted to. Now’s your chance.
  • This trip is a lot more than just recreation: you’ll be supporting valuable scientific research aimed at understanding these amazing creatures in an effort to conserve the population.
  • You’ll also have the chance to gain a basic PADI qualification – a certificate enabling you to dive safely anywhere in the world.

Trip Summary

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What's included?

  • All accommodation
  • All meals
  • Orientation upon arrival
  • Airport transfers
  • Use of project equipment
  • Full support from the project coordinator
  • 24-hour support number
  • PADI Open Water course (or advanced course, or research dives for an equivalent value)

What's not included?

  • Travel insurance
  • All flights
  • Visas

Swimming with Whale Sharks – it’s one of those exciting things that’s on lists of stuff you have to do before you’re 30. And this is your chance to tick it off the list!

 
You’ll be getting up close to these enormous, peaceful animals in the warm blue waters off Mozambique. And you’ll be helping them survive as a successful species over the long-term – this is a research project gathering data on their behaviour so that we know how to protect their habitats, enabling them to thrive. 
 
While you’re down there, you’ll be gathering all sorts of other useful information too –on turtle behaviour and coral reefs and humpbacks. 
 
How good is that? Swimming with Whale Sharks AND helping them to survive as a successful species.

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When do I want to go?

Showing all departures (40)

Dates of Departures Duration Price (Land Only) Trip Status
Mon, 5 Mar 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Mar 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Mar 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Mar 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Apr 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Apr 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Apr 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Apr 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 7 May 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 7 May 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 7 May 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 7 May 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 4 Jun 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 4 Jun 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 4 Jun 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 4 Jun 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Jul 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Jul 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Jul 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 2 Jul 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 6 Aug 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 6 Aug 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 6 Aug 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 6 Aug 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Sep 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Sep 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Sep 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Sep 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 1 Oct 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 1 Oct 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 1 Oct 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 1 Oct 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Nov 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Nov 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Nov 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 5 Nov 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Dec 20122 weeks£1,299AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Dec 20124 weeks£1,999AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Dec 20128 weeks£2,949AvailableBook now
Mon, 3 Dec 201212 weeks£3,549AvailableBook now

What will I be doing?

  • A typical itinerary (2 weeks or more)

  • The Volunteer Role (Daily)

A typical itinerary: 2 weeks or more

Next Leg

Destination info

 

Want to be a gap year trend-setter? Mozambique is the place for you. It’s one of Africa’s last truly untouched destinations which makes it a no-brainer if you want to be ahead of the crowd.
 
Undiscovered is the word. You’ll find paradise beaches on the shores of the beautiful blue Indian Ocean. Perfect diving, loads of little offshore island gems and, of course, swimming with Whale Sharks. Further inland you can try sailing a dhow through the mangroves, sleep off lunch under the palm trees or snorkel in the Bazaruto archipelago. 
 
Softer student travel is the option in the south – good roads and communications generally and lively towns like Maputo. Adventurers will head for the north and think about doing a safari. It’s harder to get from place to place, but the effort’s worthwhile – you’ll be rewarded with fabulous wild country and incredible panoramas. 
  • Location: Beach village of Tofo, on Inhambane Peninsula - Southern Mozambique

 

Although day to day activities will vary on the project, a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the project might be:
 
07:30 – Wake up and have breakfast 
 
08:30 – Data entry on the computer from previous day’s research work 
 
10:00 – Walk over to the dive center and get prepared for a Whale Shark launch. Jump on the boat and head out to sea to find Whale Sharks. On finding a Whale Shark enter the water snorkelling next to the Whale Shark and take photos of the correct parts of the shark. Photos enable us to identify individual sharks around the world and track their movements, age etc. 
 
13:00 – Lunch 
 
14:00 – Depending on the time of year – whale counts and data collection from on top of the dunes or preparation for turtle work in the night. 
 
15:30 – Work generally ends around 3.30pm but this is flexible and can sometimes be earlier and sometimes later.
 
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The Volunteer Role: Daily

Destination info

 

Want to be a gap year trend-setter? Mozambique is the place for you. It’s one of Africa’s last truly untouched destinations which makes it a no-brainer if you want to be ahead of the crowd.
 
Undiscovered is the word. You’ll find paradise beaches on the shores of the beautiful blue Indian Ocean. Perfect diving, loads of little offshore island gems and, of course, swimming with Whale Sharks. Further inland you can try sailing a dhow through the mangroves, sleep off lunch under the palm trees or snorkel in the Bazaruto archipelago. 
 
Softer student travel is the option in the south – good roads and communications generally and lively towns like Maputo. Adventurers will head for the north and think about doing a safari. It’s harder to get from place to place, but the effort’s worthwhile – you’ll be rewarded with fabulous wild country and incredible panoramas. 
  • Location: Beach village of Tofo, on Inhambane Peninsula - Southern Mozambique

 

This might be the opportunity you’ve always hungered for – to go swimming with Whale Sharks – but there’s a serious scientific purpose to it as well. This is a conservation project – so you’re also helping the populations of this amazing fish to thrive.
 
This project is about monitoring Whale Shark numbers and behaviour. While we’re about it, we’re also monitoring Loggerhead and Green Turtles nesting activity and also checking the condition of the coral reef. Ultimately it’s all about improving marine biodiversity. 
 
The Whale Shark is the world’s largest fish and very much a threatened species. Their name might make them sound fearsome, but you only need worry if you happen to be plankton – they’re not interested in eating anything larger than the microscopic animals, plants and bacteria that float around in the oceans and they’re fairly calm creatures. This is clearly one reason why people love swimming with Whale Sharks – it’s quite a buzz to be up close and personal with such an enormous animal.
 
This also makes it quite safe to monitor them. The research you’ll be carrying out involves underwater photography aimed at identifying individual animals and the monitoring is achieved while swimming with them. Whale shark monitoring gives us valuable information about their numbers, distribution and behaviour so we can ensure they have access to the habitats they need. 
 
You’ll be collecting data on beach walks, boats, swims and research dives all along Mozambique’s coastline in and around the Tofo area.
 
So – while you’re swimming with Whale Sharks, you’ll be helping to conserve them.
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Trip Notes include a full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather. By filling in your details you'll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!

Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age of 17 years (with parental/ guardian consent), maximum decided on potential participants health and physical ability.

 

Accommodation

Volunteers are accommodated in a shared volunteer house. There are dorm style bedrooms, a kitchen upstairs and downstairs and a communal lounge. Bed, mattress, sheet and pillows will be provided (a sleeping bag is needed during winter i.e. May-August). There are communal toilet and shower facilities. You will need to do your own laundry by hand. The house is situated in Tofo village 100m from the beach. Tofo’s center is within 200m, where there is a market, some very basic shops, a few restaurants and bars and a number of beach activities available.

 

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your programme price. Breakfasts generally consist of cereals and toast, lunches usually sandwiches and salads, whilst dinners will be a cooked meal. All meals are prepared by volunteers on a rotation basis.

 

Is this trip for you?

Please note that if you have a medical condition or injury, you may be required to obtain a 'Fit to Dive' letter from your Doctor to declare that you are able to dive with your condition. Please double check with our team as to whether a letter is required for you to participate in this programme. 

 

Important information

If you are joining the programme for 2 weeks, you will need to already hold a diving qualification of at least PADI Open Water.

 

It is important to remember that Whale Sharks are wild animals and as such it is not possible to guarantee the number of Whale Shark sightings during each encounter or dive. 

 

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

 

You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

 

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

 

 

FAQ

1. Do I need to have any diving experience?

If you are only staying on the programme for 2 weeks, you must already hold a PADI diving qualification. For programmes of 3 weeks or more you will do a diving course (either PADI open water or PADI Advanced Open Water) on the first week you are there. If you already have a diving certificate (PADI) you will get extra diving instead of the dive course.

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2. Do you I need to take my own diving equipment?

No – they supply all the equipment you need, however you can take your own equipment if you prefer. If you have your own underwater camera and housing, you can also take this with you.

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3. How much money will I need to budget for the programme?

Approximately £50 per week for snacks and drink will be enough. If you are planning on doing a bit of shopping in local Curio markets, you will need to budget more.

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4. When is the best time to dive with the Whales Sharks?

The best time to go is between October to March.

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5. Do I need special insurance to participate?

Our Adventure Policy will cover this programme. Please see our insurance pages for further information.

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6. When is the Turtle season?

Typically the Turtle nesting season runs from November to February. Whilst the hatching season generally runs from December to February.

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What will I see in Mozambique?

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What other travellers thought

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Lizzie Thomas, 4th Oct 2009 - 2nd Nov 2009

Please rate your overall experience
(10/10)
What were the highlights of your trip?

Learning to dive was amazing and the quality of instruction was impeccable as was the quality of the reef enviroments. The whale sharks are astounding and its such a privilage to swim with them.

What top 3 tips would you give other travellers?

Dont bring too many clothes - I spent most of the month in a Bikini - two pairs of shorts, one skirt and a few vests/T-shirts would be fine you do not need lots of stuff in Tofo! Take lots of rehydration salts, pain killers and diareeze - very hard to get in Moz. Bring a rash vest - the sun can be incredibly strong on the boat and there is no shade - also helps with Jelly fish

How would you sum up your trip in 10 words?

Incrediable, Loved every second and went back two months later. I'm a whale shark addict!

Please rate your pre-departure service
(8/10)
Please rate your in-country service
(7/10)
Please rate your accommodation
(6/10)
How worthwhile was your trip?
(8/10)
Would you recommend Real Gap?

Yes

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