The Marine Megafauna Foundation – a charity that aims to save threatened marine life – has unveiled dates of its 2019 scuba diving expeditions to Mozambique where guests can join expert marine biologists from the Marine Megafauna Foundation and get hands on with ground-breaking research.
On these adventurous expedition for advanced divers, you’ll explore the southern coast of Mozambique, one of the world’s most sought-after diving locations, and visit sites not open to the public. Mozambique is home to a unique ecosystem; possible sightings include a mobula cleaning station (one of two known worldwide), turtles, dolphins, humpback whales and reef sharks.
The exclusive 7-day expeditions, which run from 15-23 June 2019 and 17-25 August 2019 are available from £2,550 per person or £2,250 each for two guests not including flights. The expedition can accommodate up to five guests so your trip is as intimate as your megafauna encounters.
Guests will have the chance to get hands-on with ground-breaking research by taking ID photos during boat-based and aerial surveys. Both mantas and whale sharks have spot patterns as unique as a fingerprint, allowing us to build a photographic catalog that tells us about individuals and the population. You’ll also learn to identify an animal’s maturity and gender and record environmental conditions.
You’ll also have the opportunity to gain deeper knowledge – because even the most experienced divers have a lot to learn about life in the ocean. This is a unique chance to learn the secrets of MMF’s marine biologists, who have spent 15 years studying ocean giants, and find out everything you’ve always been curious about. Fascinating private talks will reveal the biology, ecology and behavior of manta rays and whale sharks, outline global threats to them and describe research and conservation efforts around the world.
During the expedition, guests will learn how to:
- Interact with whale sharks and manta rays without disrupting their natural behaviour
- Identify the maturity of an individual animal and distinguish between males and females
- Recognize different types of manta/shark/whale behavior
- Take identification photos
- Record environmental conditions
- Process and organize ID photos
- Identify different individuals using their unique spot patterns
You can also take part in extra activities outside of the water such as Tofo Life, a remarkable experience where you’ll meet locals in a nearby village, see their way of life and make a traditional dish with them.
Your MEGA Expedition will fund MMF’s vital research and help to save ocean giants from extinction. As well as our pioneering conservation work, we have an education program called Nemos Pequenos (Little Nemos) that is inspiring the next generation of Ocean Guardians. By booking this trip of a lifetime, you’ll be changing lives both in and out of the ocean in Mozambique.
For more information or to book your place on this trip of a lifetime, please visit: https://
MMF’s vision is a world in which marine life and humans thrive together and we aspire to attain it by saving threatened marine life. Our target group is marine megafauna, which is vital to the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. When we protect ocean giants, we also achieve an umbrella protection for a wide variety of marine species. Consequently, we target coastal communities that represent the biggest threat to these species and, as a result, to their own food security. Through our 4 pillars, we provide an integrated solution: by using our research findings to educate and inspire the masses, we gather the necessary tools to provide sustainable marine conservation strategies for communities and policy makers to bring about lasting positive change. Finally, by empowering, informing and giving a voice to local communities, we help to create a generation of Ocean Ambassadors and Guardians, who cherish and understand the marine ecosystem.
For further details, please see www.marinemegafauna.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For information about our local projects, you can also follow our Western Indian Ocean Facebook page.