Mohéli, the nursery of whales
Every year, between mid-July and late October, about a thousand humpback whales reside in the waters around Mohéli. Many of these gentle sea giants are heavily pregnant, and they come here specifically to give birth to their young. The birth wave takes place in July and August, and it remains busy in the nursery until the calves are sufficiently strong for their first migration to Arctic waters. Until then, newborns receive swimming lessons, as they must learn to rise to the surface in time and agility to fill their lungs. Regularly the young can be found at the surface of the water, with their mother by their side.
The best time for a unique encounter with humpback mothers and their calves is from mid-August to mid-October.
Swimming with whales
With so much space in the nursery, so many whales, and only a handful of tourists in the wide area, a truly unique opportunity lies before you: swimming (with mask and snorkel) in close proximity to the humpback whales. The water has a wonderful temperature, you can relax and float in anticipation of a grand, almost intimate spectacle: when the whales glide calmly by in the blue water, taking a few breaths of air at the surface, only to descend to the depths just as calmly after a while. You may be extra lucky and see a calf against its mother's flanks. Or who knows, maybe a humpback whale will pass so close that you will swim face to face with this gentle giant. It couldn't get more beautiful and impressive.
Of course, this activity takes place under expert guidance; you will receive clear - and strict - instructions beforehand. Everything is about safety for you and for the animals, and the whales and their calves should not experience any stress.
