Trip Report - Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, and a Little Piece of Paradise in Mozambique (July 2026)
Finally, the time had come again: In July 2026, we headed back to Mozambique! After our first test trip in 2025, it quickly became clear: We had to come back! This time, our first two group tours were on the itinerary. Together, we traveled to Vilankulos and the stunning Bazaruto Archipelago. And what can we say? This area did not disappoint us!
The Bazaruto Archipelago can really only be described with one word: paradise. Turquoise-blue, crystal-clear water, endless white sand dunes, secluded beaches, and an underwater world that never ceases to surprise. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
Maybe a whale shark? No problem. Both groups had several fantastic encounters with these impressive giants. And the best part: We were often completely alone with the animals. Instead of a crowd of boats, we were able to swim alongside the whale sharks for hours through the shallow, crystal-clear water and watch them glide along so calmly. For many of our guests, these were the first whale sharks they’d ever seen. It could hardly have gone any better.
But of course, the journey was far from over. A little further out on the open sea, we were able to watch dozens of humpback whales every day. Here, too, we were often lucky enough to be out there almost all by ourselves.
Encounters with humpback whales in the water, however, are a whole different story in Mozambique. The animals aren’t really used to boats and are cautiously wary as a result. Nevertheless, we managed to observe them several times, even beneath the surface of the water. And then, during the first week, that very special moment arrived: a group of six to seven humpback whales actually let us swim alongside them for several minutes! When several of these enormous animals suddenly glide calmly through the water beside and beneath you, everything falls silent almost instantly. The camera becomes an afterthought, and all you want to do is watch and savor the moment. What an experience!
And as if all that weren't enough, Mozambique also showed us—even beyond the big stars—just how incredibly diverse its underwater world is.
We spotted dugongs several times, while seahorses and octopuses could be found practically right outside our hotel. On our way out of the archipelago, we kept encountering flamingos, and various species of dolphins, rays, and sharks didn’t take long to make an appearance either. From the enormous whale shark to the tiny seahorse—the full spectrum of marine life was represented.
And that's exactly what makes this trip so special. Where else can you swim with a whale shark in the morning, watch humpback whales later in the day, spot a dugong, and search for seahorses and squid on the hotel beach in the evening?
A huge thank you to everyone in both of our groups for a fantastic time together, lots of fun moments, and, of course, plenty of wonderful encounters!
And if you’re thinking, “I want to do that, too!” —good news: There are still a few spots open for next year. Maybe we’ll see you in Mozambique in 2027—somewhere among whale sharks, humpback whales, and seahorses. We’d love to see you there!
Here’s a short highlight video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Db1DXjYPryb/