Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I go to Mozambique to dive with Whale Sharks?
2. Where on Mozambique will I be located?
3. How often can I get to see Whale Sharks?
4. Are the dives specifically for tracking Whale Sharks?
5. How does an Ocean Safari look like?
6. What are the facilities of the dive centre?
7. What is the difference between the Whale Shark Diving and Conservation Project?
8. What meals are included?
9. Do I go in scuba gear on the ocean safaris?
10. Are Whale Sharks dangerous?
11. I am not a qualified diver, but can I join?
12. What other activities can I do there?
13. When is the best time to come?
14. What about Malaria?
15. Why is this trip expensive if Africa is cheap?
16. How do I know if this trip is for me?

Why should I go to Mozambique to dive with Whale Sharks?

The answer is simple: there is no better place in the world to swim with Whale Sharks than Mozambique. Diving with a Whale Shark is one of the greatest experiences for any one into their diving. Although they are massive in size, their gentle nature instantly puts you at ease. This is a once in a life time feeling and there is no better place in the world to discover this than Mozambique. You will most likely dive or snorkel with dolphins and Mantas too. Can it get any better?

Where on Mozambique will I be located?

You will be staying in a place called Tofo. Tofo is quickly becoming one of Mozambiques favourite diving destinations. It offers great training grounds for new divers and a large array of deep and shallow sites for the already qualified divers. A couple of the deeper reefs offer Manta cleaning stations, large schools of pelagics, devil rays, frogfish, leaffish, morays and giant groupers. National Geographic recently voted Tofo as one of the prime Whale Shark and Manta viewing sites in the world.

How often can I get to see Whale Sharks?

We are fortunate to have an exclusive arrangement with one of the best dive shops in Tofol. They allow you unlimited access to whale shark safaris. So basically when the boat launches and if it is not completely full you have a space on the boat. Only on very rare occasions is the boat full, so this basically means you can go out on a whale shark safari every day. During a safara you can see up to 30 Whale Sharks. Also in a trip you often see Mantas, Dolphins and Humpbacks Whales. They are not based on a reef, but in an area of Open Water we call Whale Shark Alley (7km stretch between Tofo Point and Praia Do Roche). We have the biggest population of Male Juveniles worldwide. (7m - 9m).

Are the dives specifically for tracking Whalesharks?

We should mention here that the ocean safaris are specific to tracking Whale Sharks. The dives are dives on the reefs and not necessarily focussing on Whale Sharks, but there are plenty of interesting things to see on the dives, our favourites include the weird looking Guitar Shark!

How does an ocean safari look like?

In the mornings, we go on ocean safaris to freedive with Whale Sharks. Its a two hour "Ocean Safari" looking for as many Whale Sharks as we can find. Once we have found one we snorkel with it for as long as it hangs around, get back in a go find another one. As An Xtreme Gap Customer you are able to go out on the Safaris as often as they runs (unless the boat is fully booked). Please note we do not launch unless we have 4 people on the boat, because of the costs of fuel. This is not very often as there are always new backpackers arriving who come here for that reason. If it does happen we push everyone forward to the next day to get a group together. This can happen for weather reasons as well.

What are the facilities of the dive centre?

• Registered  Padi Dive Centre.
• Courses from Discover Scuba up to Dive Master.
• 3.5 metre training pool.
• Classroom.
• Gear service facilities.
• Full range of rental diving gear.
• Fantastic deck-ideal for watching Humpbacks Whales.
• Nice bar and restaurant facilities.
• Great accommodation with a stunning view.

What is the difference between our Whale Shark Diving and Conservation Project?

The Whale Shark Conservation project is based on scientific research study and includes and an Open Water Course and up to 3 boat launches per week (this can involve snorkling or diving). You also stay in a volunteer lodge on the beach with all meals included. The Whaleshark diving trip is all about diving and getting as close as possible to the Whale Shark. There are much more exposure to Whale Sharks and other large marine life (with 28 dives included and unlimted ocean safaris). You stay in a backpack lodge on the beach that that has a great social scene.

Which meals are included?

Breakfasts are included, but other meals are not. There is a communal kitchen, and loads of places to eat in the area (for a couple of Euro´s a day - not expensive). Eating out is a social event, and we would be restricting you if meals were included.

Do I go in scuba gear on the ocean safaris?

On the ocean safaris you do not go in scuba gear either, you snorkel or freedive. If you have never been in the water with a Whale Shark, here is the reason why you do not do this in scuba gear. Whale Sharks are surface feeders and descend to 25 metres and back up to the surface regularly. They are also reasonably fast in the water as well (they swim around the same speed as someone doing a leisurely front crawl). In scuba gear it is really hard to keep up with them from the drag on the equipment, and the fact that they ascend and descend so much would make it dangerous if you attempted to follow them up and down (you might get bent). While most divers are aware of this, you would be surprised how many experienced divers just loose it when they see a Whale Shark, and start maintaining erratic profiles to keep up with the Whale Sharks. If you are snorkling, not only is it easy to keep up with them, you are free to duck dive down with them and ascend at any rate. This Video shows this quite clearly. Besides this, as you do this in the morning, you are free of residual nitrogen and can do this as much as you want, in the afternoon you can go diving.

Are Whale Sharks Dangerous?

Whale Sharks are absolutely not dangerous! They are big, but they do not even have teeth. They are extremely impressive though, and being lucky to see one, and swim with one once, is never enough.

I am not a qualified diver, but can I join?

Yes you can, but you need to do your Open Water Course first. The extra costs involved are €350.

What other activities can I do there?

Yes, you can. You can go fishing, surfing, ocean kayaking and exploring some of the worlds most unspoilt coastlines. Not bad, I would say.

When is the best time to come?

Whale Sharks are based here year round, but because of water temperature dropping in June, we tend to see less of them in June, July and August although we do still see them. We have the Humpback whales, one of the biggest whales in the world (size between 12 and 16 metres) here for the period of June through to November. So, I guess that makes up for it.

What about Malaria?

Inhambane is in a Malaria zone. Therefore we advise you take malarial tablets, but please consult your GP or travel clinic before you go.

Why is this trip expensive if Africa is cheap?

You might think that is trip is kind of expensive compared to the average prices in Africa, but diving, even in Africa is not cheap. Especially not if you are diving with a reputable company that looks after their equipment and customers! All the dive equipment has to be brought from outside South Africa. We also put you up in a gorgeous backpacker resort, and you get unlimited ocean safaris and lots of dives. If you want the trip of a life time then you really do get what you pay for, and this is exactly that. Very few other places in the world will get you this much Whale Shark exposure in such a beautiful setting.

How do I know if this trip is for me?

If you want to dive or learn to dive in one of the best places in Africa, and have a lot of Whale Shark and Manta Ray interactions, live by the beach is a beautiful, buzzy backpacker location then you should this trip is it for you! Remember with this programme you get unlimited Whale Shark safaris, no one else offers that. However if you are concerned about not being met at the airport, and want a guaranteed group and not big into diving, then the Whale Shark Conservation project might be better suited. Just remember you pay alot more, and have much less exposure to Whale Sharks with the conservation project. If you are up for the adventure, and not concerned about not being met at the airport, (in reality the transfer is very easy and ludicrously cheap £3) then this is for you!