Group Adventures

THE SEYCHELLES: WHALE SHARK SPECIAL

Close encounters with the greatest fish

The Seychelles Archipelago is one of the most beautiful places on the planet – 115 islands scattered across more than a million square kilometres of ocean. In Seychelles you really will find vanilla sand beaches with waving palm trees and crystal clear, vivid blue waters sparkling under a warm golden sun at this time of the year. These islands are amongst the most romantic islands on earth. It is also one of the best places in the world to have a good chance of seeing and swimming with the greatest fish in the ocean: the Whale Shark. Natural sightings can never be guaranteed, but check out the statistics below and you will be amazed at the high numbers of whales sightings and in-water encounters.

The Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles (MCSS) is carrying out research that is vital to the survival of these gentle ocean giants. The data that is provided by their research was instrumental in the Whale Shark gaining protection at the most recent CITES meeting. Whale Sharks are already a protected species in Seychelles waters.

The project aims to monitor Whale Sharks by using both passive and electronic (satellite) tags to enable information to be gathered about their movements. Already data collated from satellite tags has produced some amazing results. One shark travelled from Seychelles to Sri Lanka and then on to Thailand, a journey of over 5,000 kilometres! Research is also showing that up to 26% of the tagged sharks return to Seychelles waters the following year.

Records are still being collated for 2006, but in 2005 the MCSS reported a total of 987 sightings of Whale Sharks recorded from 129 micro-light spotter plane flights. In-water sightings numbered 520. Of these, 476 resulted in ‘in-water’ encounters with 291 sharks identified and 24 sharks tagged. One hundred and seventy males and twenty six females were identified. Joining this pioneering research team is the main aim of this Divequest Whale Shark Special. For more information on the MCSS programme check out the website at www.mcss.sc.

We will go out every afternoon to wherever there have been reported sightings, in the hope of tagging and swimming with the Whale Sharks. There should be magnificent photo and film opportunities. Sightings come from many sources and there is a great collaboration to support the project. Even the local helicopter company radio in any sightings to help to direct the boat to the sharks. And the project has its own micro-light spotter plane which flies whenever conditions allow. Members of our group will have the amazing opportunity to go up in the micro-light with the pilot and act as his spotter (please see note below).

We will be going to Seychelles at the height of the Whale Shark season, so the chances of encounters will be high. Recently a Whale Shark actually spent time trying to mate with the dive boat and John Boyle has a copy of the footage to prove it! Once the Whale Sharks have been located the MCSS team leader enters the water first, followed by a maximum of 7 snorkelers. The first group can then observe the shark, the research team will be logging the information that they need for monitoring the programme and, if the animal is not tagged, a tag will be attached to it. Once the shark has dived or swam away, the first group returns to the boat and the second group gets ready while the boat moves off to the next shark. The boat takes a maximum of 16 people which comprises 2 groups of 7 snorkelers, plus the MCSS researchers.

Mornings will be free to carry out a two-tank dive on one of the dive sites around Mahé, the principle island of the Seychelles archipelago. Diving here is characterized by huge granite underwater seascapes and a healthy fish population. John Boyle’s favourite dives are Shark Bank, an area of large underwater granite outcrops, populated by stingrays and schools of Yellow Snappers, and the wreck of a sunken tanker, the Ennerdale. John Boyle has known David and Glynis who run the Underwater Centre, with whom we will be diving, for many years, so he knows they will make every effort to ensure the best dive sites are chosen for our morning dives and they will make sure snorkelers will have the best opportunities for Whale Shark encounters.

Other dive sites that we may visit include L'Ilot, which is located at the North Eastern tip of Beau Vallon Bay. This picturesque tiny granite island supports two coconut palms and some superb marine life. The steep sides are grooved by gullies and surrounded by large granite boulders giving an array of archways and swim-throughs. The island is in a regular current stream and is heavily encrusted with soft corals. The landward side of the island has a prolific fish and invertebrate life, including schools of Bloch’s Big-eyes, and is visited by turtles, sharks and Whale Sharks.

Shark Bank is midway between Mahé and Silhouette Island. Shark Bank is the shallowest area for hundreds of kilometres and is a natural focus for marine life, especially pelagic fish. Granite gullies and boulders protect a resident population of reef fish and invertebrates with schools of Yellow Snappers and Bloch’s Big Eyes being a permanent feature. The site is open to current and attracts schooling jacks, barracudas, stingrays and reef sharks. It is also visited by Whale Sharks.

Ennerdale Wreck is situated midway between Mahé and Praslin. It is the wreck of a British Fleet Auxiliary tanker which foundered in 1970 on unmarked Ennerdale Rocks. She has been blown up to make her safe for shipping and so most dives are on the better-preserved stern of the vessel. The confines of the wreck protect a huge range of reef fish, schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of invertebrates. This is also the home of numerous Brown Moray Eels and some large scorpionfish. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling pelagics, Spotted Eagle Rays, stingrays, reef sharks and Whale Sharks.

Brissare Rocks is another site midway between Mahé and Praslin. This remote rock has an enviable reputation for fish life; the granite massif and surrounding rocks create protected surroundings for schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of reef fish. This is also the home of some of the largest Brown Morays in the area as well as a host of invertebrates. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling pelagics, stingrays, Hawksbill Turtles, reef sharks and Whale Sharks.

It is easy to explore Mahé in a day and car hire is easy. You will be able to take in spectacular mountain passes and some of the world’s finest beaches. Or take an inter-island ferry and check out the neighbouring islands of Praslin and La Digue. John will be able to give you lots of help in finding the best spots. He claims to know Seychelles as well as anyone! Over the past five years he has produced all of Seychelles’ tourism promotional films, including the in-flight destination film you will have seen on the plane!

In Mahé we will be staying at the comfortable Coral Strand Hotel on the lovely Beau Vallon Beach, where our dive centre is also conveniently situated. The hotel has 108 air-conditioned rooms, all with private bathrooms and verandahs. Hotel facilities include a main restaurant, a pool-side bistro and a beach-side bar. Standard rooms have mountain views. Seaview Rooms with sea views across the pool are available. Superior Rooms and Superior Seaview Rooms are larger and have a sitting area.