Whale Shark Boat Trip in Mozambique
On March 30th, I had the chance to join a 2-hour boat trip to try to spot whale sharks — the biggest sharks in the world. The ones spotted in this area have been measured at up to 9 meters! I’m not typically a fan of being on the water since I tend to get seasick, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Sasha made a call and found there was still room on the boat. She and Chris joined as well, since Sasha does research on whale sharks and takes every chance she gets to go on these observation trips.
Getting Ready and Heading Out
We were equipped with safety vests for getting through the surf, and once past the breakers, we switched to snorkel gear — just a snorkel and mask, no tanks. The boat was full with 10 passengers, plus the captain and a guide who would jump in the water and lead us to the marine life.
Dolphins, Rain, and Staying on the Boat
We didn’t find whale sharks, but we did spot some dolphins. Most everyone except me jumped into the water for a closer look, but nobody saw anything more than what we’d already seen from above. I felt pretty good about my decision to stay on the boat!
Then dark rainy clouds rolled in fast. The wind picked up and it started pouring — not just a little, but a lot. So even though I hadn’t gone in the water, I was completely soaked anyway. Fortunately, it was warm enough that it didn’t really matter.
A Fun International Crowd
The group on the boat was a wonderful mix of people. There was a girl named London, possibly from England, some Dutch travelers from The Hague, and fellow guests from the guest house. Some had originally come to Cape Town to study and made their way to Mozambique from there. It was a very interesting and fun crowd, and we ended up having dinner together that evening.
Back Through the Surf
Getting back to shore required a second attempt through the surf, and the landing on the beach was a hard bump — you really have to hold on tight! That’s when you wear your safety vest again. Once on the beach, a tractor pulled the boat further up on the sand. Everything was very well organized.
Warm Pool and a Second Chance
We climbed up to the Peri Peri premises where we’d started and discovered they have a beautiful swimming pool. With the rain still coming down, the warm pool felt almost like a sauna — absolutely perfect. The owner then came by and offered everyone a free second trip the next day since we hadn’t seen the whale sharks. I declined, happy with the experience I’d had, leaving more spots available for others.
Exploring the Town and Meeting Heidi
Later that day, I wandered through town and met Heidi from Germany, who owns a restaurant and gallery. She’d been without power all weekend due to a broken breaker box, but her neighbors had been running power cables from their properties to keep her freezers going. It’s just a really neat, tight-knit community.
Why This Mozambique Town Is Special
The town has plenty of sellers offering trinkets and touristy items, along with numerous places to eat and drink. It’s especially great if you’re into surfing. There’s a small airport within half an hour, so transportation isn’t a problem. And once you’re staying at the guest house or any other accommodation, you can walk everywhere. It’s a really, really special place. Thanks for coming along with me!
