PADI, Whales & Biology

1. 1

   Day 1

   Welcome to Mozambique

   Meal included: dinner

   After arriving at Inhambane Airport, we will be met by our STC Leader and transferred to our coastal accommodation. Based in Guinjata, this peaceful and safe area is surrounded by beautiful reefs and rural villages. Guinjata is in the Inhambane Province, and Inhambane translates from the local dialect as 'land of the good people'. On arrival at our accommodation, we are welcomed with a full health and safety briefing and orientation of the facilities. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner and prepare for the exciting week ahead.

2. 2

   Day 2

   PADI & Love the Oceans Conservation

   All meals included

   We begin our PADI Advanced Open Water course by completing two adventure dives with certified PADI instructors. These dives are selected based on conditions and group interests and may include deep, navigation, or drift dives. In the late afternoon, we take part in a Love The Oceans conservation workshop, where we learn about key environmental threats and the science behind the upcoming surveys. This conservation work goes hand in hand with PADI Advanced, as the course is all about understanding and appreciating the environment around us. In the evening, we revise theory and prepare for the next day’s dives.

3. 3

   Day 3

   PADI & Cultural Afternoon

   All meals included

   Today we complete two more adventure dives in the morning, progressing toward our certification. On these dives, we spot stingrays, turtles, nudibranchs, and a huge diversity of fish. We also have the chance to see whales, dolphins, and whale sharks from the boat on the journey to and from the dive sites. After lunch, we head out on a cultural tour led by Love The Oceans’ Community Outreach Manager, who shares insight into Mozambican life, local cuisine, and Love The Oceans’ community work. We have the afternoon free for exploration or relaxation.

4. 4

   Day 4

   Snorkelling, Whale Safari & Conservation

   All meals included

   We head to Coral Gardens this morning for a snorkel at an important nursery ground for many marine species in the area. Guided by a Love The Oceans marine biologist, we explore an ecologically important reef and see a huge diversity of marine life. We also assist the team with the removal of ghost nets and discarded fishing gear from the reef. After lunch, we attend a whale lecture to learn about humpback whale behaviour and vocalisations, before heading out on an ocean safari to help with data collection for Love The Oceans’ ongoing whale research. The day ends with a coral talk delivered by LTO’s Coral Biologist, Yudmila, who specialises in the morphology and genetics of Mozambique’s coral reefs.

5. 5

   Day 5

   PADI Certification & Coral Surveys

   All meals included

   We begin the day with the final qualifying dive for all PADI Advanced students. After this, we move straight on to coral surveys, using the methodology covered the day before. We assist the Love The Oceans team with an underwater line transect survey, helping to monitor reef health and biodiversity. In the afternoon, we learn how to log coral and fish data, identify species, and input our findings. This is a great exercise that introduces us to the diversity of fish in the ocean and highlights the importance of rigorous data collection. The evening concludes with a short talk on the impacts of beach debris and how marine litter reaches remote coastlines.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Ocean Safari, SUP & Beach Clean

   All meals included

   This morning we set off early on an ocean safari, with the chance to see whales, dolphins, turtles, and more, while contributing to marine megafauna survey data. After lunch, we carry out a beach clean followed by a land-based whale survey, using binoculars and datasheets to help monitor behavioural trends and seasonal migration patterns. In the late afternoon, there is an optional stand-up paddleboard lesson for those who would like to paddleboard with the whales. The evening is left open for rest or optional stargazing.

7. 7

   Day 7

   Kayaking & Biodiversity Intervention

   The morning is spent kayaking through a local mangrove estuary system. This is a critically important juvenile habitat for many marine species. We will learn about blue carbon ecosystems and how mangroves contribute to climate resilience. In the afternoon, there’s the option of another stand-up paddleboard session before a talk on macroalgae overgrowth and coral restoration efforts along this coastline.

8. 8

   Day 8

   Diving & Coral Research

   All meals included

   We complete two more scientific dives with the team in the morning, continuing the coral health monitoring project. We then put our species identification skills into practice and contribute real-time data to LTO’s conservation databases. While this is laptop-intensive work, it is a major part of scientific research and helps us understand the importance of rigorous data collection. The afternoon is spent logging data and reviewing survey results, and the evening is kept free for rest.

9. 9

   Day 9

   Ocean Safari, Beach Clean & Plastic Upcycling

   All meals included

   After another incredible ocean safari in the morning with the whales, we head back to shore for a beach clean followed by a land-based whale survey. In the afternoon, we take part in a plastic upcycling workshop, transforming waste into keyrings or jewellery to take home. The day ends with a vibrant lecture on nudibranchs—tiny, colourful sea slugs—whose incredible diversity Inhambane is famous for.

10. 10

    Day 10

    Seahorse & Ocean Safari, Science Communication

    All meals included

    This morning we explore a brackish estuary on a seahorse safari, learning about this delicate and rare species. We may also have the chance to photograph them and spot other sought-after species, such as harlequin shrimp. In the afternoon, we return to Guinjata for another ocean safari, assisting with whale ID photos and bioacoustic monitoring. In the evening, we take part in a science communication workshop, exploring how to tell conservation stories effectively—from presentations to social media.

11. 11

    Day 11

    Final Dives & Coral Data

    All meals included

    We conduct our final two coral survey dives of the programme, wrapping up our contributions to reef monitoring and biodiversity tracking. In the afternoon, we identify fish and benthic habitat species, record our findings in the scientific log, and continue refining our scientific skills. The day ends with a workshop on experimental design, where we learn how to structure and test scientific ideas in the field.

12. 12

    Day 12

    Surfing, Shopping & Snorkelling

    All meals included

    We head to the tourist coastal town of Tofo for a well-earned day off. Here, we can take a surf lesson, visit the local market for souvenirs, and relax on the beach. From Tofo, we travel to Sunset Lodge, aptly named for its beautiful sunset view over the estuary and mangrove system where we snorkel with seahorses. We enjoy dinner here before heading home for an early night.

13. 13

    Day 13

    Farewell Safari, SUP & Sand Dune

    All meals included

    We set out on our final ocean safari, enjoying one more opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, and other marine megafauna while assisting Love The Oceans’ scientists in building their dataset. The afternoon is open for relaxation or a final stand-up paddleboard session with the whales to say goodbye. In the evening, we visit a favourite spot, “Top of The World,” a giant sand dune, for a final celebration overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique jungle.

14. 14

    Day 14

    Departure

    Meal included: breakfast

    On our final day in Mozambique, we will have the morning to pack, dry kit and say goodbye before we transfer back to Inhambane Airport.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.