Every year, when winter tightens its chilly grip on Antarctica, a remarkable journey begins beneath the cold waves. In a breathtaking display, many humpback whales, Earth's gentle giants, follow nature's call. They travel from the icy southern realms to the warmer waters of southeast Africa's coast.
It's a journey of life, seeking the safety of tropical waters to give birth and care for their precious calves., that spans thousands of miles, driven by an instinct as ancient as time itself.
Over the last decade, we've noticed a fascinating change in the behavior of these majestic beings. While they keep a safe distance, encounters have become more frequent, and their curiosity occasionally leads them to approach us for inspection. Imagine them swimming calmly beside our boats, arching over the waves, and blowing air from their nostrils.
8 days/ 7 nights
breakfasts
accommodations
pick up & transfers
whale specialized guide
5 ocean days
your language
snacks & drinks on boat
hydrophone
from 2.165€
This is an experience we encourage every nature enthusiast, whether you're an experienced diver or snorkeler. It's a moment that leaves us all completely captivated.
Why do these whales migrate in the first place? What is their history in Mozambique? What about their biology and the songs they sing? What is that called when they jump with their tail out? Learn all the answers to your questions here and then book your trip to be a part of it 2025!
As pioneers in cautiously entering the waters with these gentle giants, we take responsibility not only for your safety but also for the whales themselves. We do this with certified guides, always ensuring your safety and that of these magnificent creatures.
We enter the water with a maximum of four people and one of our dedicated guides. Our guidelines on how to behave around these gentle giants are carefully crafted, a testament to our commitment to responsible tourism.
To make the most of this extraordinary encounter, we've designed a program recommending a minimum of 5 days at sea, though we can certainly tailor it to your desires and needs. Join us on this extraordinary journey, where nature reveals its most majestic secrets in the company of giants.
Join us on this transformative adventure with tales of tails; a symphony of whales, where the magic of the humpback whale migration awaits, leaving you with memories that last a lifetime.
HOW YOU CAN ETHICALLY SWIM WITH WHALES
© Tomas Kotouc
On this programme, the daily departures are snorkelling excursions, so the Whale Swimming Experience is suitable for everyone. Entering the water to swim with the whales is not compulsory, so those less daring can also enjoy the show from the safety of the zodiac.
Entering with scuba diving equipment with the whales is almost impossible as they move quite fast, and keeping up with them is very difficult.
Even so, on our dive trips, we see them quite often while we are at depth.
For those willing to go in and swim with them, you should have a minimum of snorkelling experience, and have a minimum level of fitness as there is sometimes a lot of swimming involved in these excursions.
We usually get in the water with whales almost every day, but the idea is to have safe and unforgettable encounters first and foremost. Our aim is to have a couple of quality experiences on each of the trips, where quality means encounters of more than 10 minutes and close to the whales.
Each trip is composed of a maximum of 8 people, and only 4, together with the guide, will go into the water at a time. With this we want to invade the whales' space as little as possible and optimise the encounter with them.
Swimming with the whales is not easy, 'it's an art', some experts say, and at Mozambique Experience we have some of the best guides with years of experience between Mozambique and South Africa, and even in French Polynesia. And believe it or not, the difference between an experience and an unforgettable experience is often there.
The encounters require a lot of concentration, a lot of attention, and to strictly follow the instructions of our guides. At Mozambique Experience we have been working all these years on various strategies to achieve the desired results, and we are succeeding, and all our clients take with them magical and unforgettable moments.
© Tomas Kotouc
BALEEN
EYES
VENTRAL PLEATS
BREACHING
DORSAL FIN
FLUKE
DORSAL RIDGE
PECTORAL FIN
KNOBS
BLOW HOLE
MIGRATION
Humpback whales are true globe-trotters, undertaking one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. They travel from cold, nutrient-rich feeding grounds in polar regions to warmer breeding and calving areas closer to the equator. The exact routes vary between populations, but they often traverse vast ocean expanses.
Migration serves multiple purposes for humpbacks. They feed in cold waters during the polar summer, accumulating the necessary fat reserves. As winter approaches, they migrate to warmer waters for breeding and calving, where the calves have a higher chance of survival in the milder conditions.
Humpbacks exhibit remarkable fidelity to their breeding and calving grounds. Each population has specific areas where they return year after year, forming distinct communities. For instance, whales from the Antarctic might travel to warmer regions like Mozambique or Hawaii for their reproductive activities.
Despite the grandeur of their migrations, humpback whales face various challenges. Human activities, such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, pose threats to their journey. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring safe passage for these majestic travelers.
Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
SURFACE BEHAVIOUR
SPY HOP
PEC SLAPPING
BREACHING
BLOW
HEAD SLAP
LOB TAILING
FLUKING
PEDUNCLE THROW
Delve into the intriguing world of whales as we unveil the characteristic acts and their meanings. In the following text and illustration, discover the captivating behaviors that researchers attribute to these majestic marine creatures. From playful splashes to purposeful movements, join us in decoding the mysteries of whale behavior.
HEAD SLAPPING
Head slapping is when a humpback whale lifts its head out of the water and forcefully slaps it back down. The reasons behind this behavior are not entirely clear but may include communication, playfulness, or a way to remove parasites.
BLOWING
Blowing, or spouting, is a common behavior where the whale exhales forcefully through its blowhole, creating a spout of water vapor. Each whale's blow is unique, and the frequency and shape can help identify individual whales. It serves the essential function of expelling used air and taking in a fresh breath.
PEC SLAPPING
Pectoral fin slapping is a rhythmic slapping of the large pectoral fins against the water. This behavior could be a form of communication or a way to stun fish, making them easier to catch. Imagine witnessing this rhythmic dance as the whales glide gracefully through the water.
PEDUNCLE SLAPPING
Peduncle slapping is a behavior where the whale slaps the muscular part of its tail stock on the water's surface. This creates a powerful sound and may serve various purposes, including communication or possibly stunning prey.
FLUKING
Fluking involves a humpback whale lifting its massive tail out of the water before diving. The distinctive shape of the tail, or fluke, is often used for individual identification. This behavior could assist in diving efficiently or communicate with other whales.
LOBTAILING
Lobtailing involves slapping the water's surface with the tail, creating a resonating sound. This behavior is another way humpbacks communicate, possibly signaling to others in the vicinity. It's like the whales are putting on a percussion show right there in the ocean.
SPYHOPPING
Spyhopping is a peculiar behavior where a whale pokes its head vertically out of the water, giving it a glimpse of what's happening above the surface. It's like the whale is curiously peeking at the world above the waves. This behavior is often seen in younger whales.
BREACHING
Humpback whales are the acrobats of the ocean, treating onlookers to breathtaking displays of breaching. Picture a massive whale propelling itself out of the water and then crashing back in a spectacular splash. Breaching could serve various purposes, from communication to shedding parasites or simply expressing joy.
Day 1
ARRIVAL TO MOZAMBIQUE
Arrival at Inhambane Airport (Mozambique), where we will be waiting for you. Road transfer by road to Praia do Tofo (20 min).
Upon arrival, we will check in at the activity center and your accommodation.
Free afternoon to explore the fishing village of Tofo and the nearby Praia da Barra.
Dinner (not included) can be arranged at your accommodation or a local restaurant.
Day 2 to day 6
SWIM WITH WHALES
Daily breakfasts at the accommodation, and transfers to the activity center.
Daily 6-hour outings to spot humpback whales and attempt to swim with them.
We will also look for other marine wildlife, including whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and turtles.
Lunch and dinners (not included) at the accommodation or local restaurants.
Accommodation in Praia do Tofo.
Day 7
RELAXATION DAY
Breakfast at the accommodation.
A free day for relaxation or optional additional activities: an excursion to the Inhambane estuary to look for flamingos and snorkel with seahorses and other macrolife, kayaking, sailing on a dhow or catamaran, visiting the islands of the bay, surfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, quad biking, visiting local villages, cultural guided tours, massages, and relaxation.
Accommodation in Praia do Tofo.
Day 8
DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the accommodation. Free morning to rest.
Road transfer to Inhambane Airport (20 min).
***Optional transfer to Vilanculos Airport (not included, 4 hours).
International flight back to your destination.
These are the various accommodation options that we have in the different destinations where we will be during the stay of the aforementioned program. Depending on the budget we recommend one or the other. For more detailed information on each one, you can visit the accommodation section. All options include en-suite rooms with the possibility of a double bed or separate beds, cleaning service, Wi-fi, 24-hour security, and some with a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
from
2.165€
INCLUDES:
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Assistance at the arrival airport
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Round-trip transfers from Inhambane Airport
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7 nights of accommodation (double or twin room) in Praia do Tofo
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5 days of 6-hour ocean safaris to swim with megafauna in Praia do Tofo
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Snorkeling equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and weights)
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Hydrophone onboard to listen to the whales
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Refreshments and snacks on the boat
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Government tax
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Private English speaking divemaster and whale expert
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Daily breakfasts during the trip
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Local guide
EXCLUDES:
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International and domestic flights
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Mozambique entry visas
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Meals not specified in the previous section (average €15 per day)
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Optional activities during the trip
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Travel insurance (recommended)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
• 50% deposit required to confirm the booking of the Experience, and remaining 50% to be paid 30 days prior to arrival • All payments done by providing bank card details will carry an extra 5% (bank fees) • All payments done through PayPal will carry an extra 5% • All payments done by bank transfers to be done using “banking our instructions” (client pays all bank transfer charges) • By paying the deposit you are deemed to have accepted our terms & conditions • Cancellations before 60 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of total booking amount (during local public holidays will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of total booking amount) • Cancellations after 60 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of total booking amount • Ocean trips being cancelled due to bad weather not refundable • If, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a pandemic or political instability, the trip cannot take place on the scheduled dates, the paid amount is non-refundable, and the trip will be rescheduled to other dates in accordance with the availability of the client and Mozambique Experience •