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A joint initiative between Silhouette
Cruises’ expedition travel brand Ocean Odysseys, and the
whale shark monitoring programme of the Marine
Conservation Society of Seychelles (MCSS), this 7-night
liveaboard trip in Seychelles aims to combine the
intense fun and excitement of swimming with whale sharks
amidst the islands’ beautiful scenery, together with the
enriching experience of learning more about these
massive creatures by participating in actual scientific
monitoring work being carried out by the MCSS.
This programme hosts guests onboard
the MV Maya’s Dugong, a 40-metre expeditionary vessel
that serves as an ideal platform for guests to be able
to maximise their chances for whale shark encounters in
a convenient, comfortable and cost-effective way. Using
the vessel as a ‘floating hotel’ passengers benefit from
its large air-conditioned cabins and public areas,
excellent service and cuisine from a full crew
complement, and the excitement of continual new
surroundings in beautiful Seychelles throughout the
programme. While snorkelling with whale sharks may be
the main highlight of the programme, it is far from the
only thing on offer. We’ll also experience Seychelles’
unique diving and snorkelling seascape, the charm of
several different islands and authentic Seychellois
hospitality, as well as the rewarding feeling of
contributing toward a real scientific programme bearing
results for this threatened species.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Embarkation from Mahé at the Inter
Island Quay, Port Victoria at 10.30 am. After the
captain's welcome briefing, the Maya's Dugong departs
toward Ilot island at the northern tip of Mahé, for some
diving near this beautiful rocky granite outcrop. The
currents around this peninsula may also provide a sliver
of opportunity for our first whale shark encounter. In
the evening, enjoy a presentation from our onboard
experts from the MCSS about whale sharks in Seychelles,
followed by a BBQ dinner as the vessel anchors in the
beautiful Beau Vallon Bay overnight.
DAY 2
The Maya's Dugong continues cruising
around Mahé's northwestern coast toward the Conception
channel, a waterway in between Mahé and the islands of
Conception and Therese that has over the years become
known as a popular whale shark hotspot on account of its
currents and plankton-rich waters. But first, we'll
visit nearby Baie Ternay for a morning dive or snorkel
in this amazing marine national park. While we're in the
water, MCSS pilots will be overhead in its micro-lite,
surveying the seascape for whale sharks. In the
afternoon, the locations of any sightings will be
relayed and we'll position ourselves to meet up with the
MCSS vessel in search of the whale sharks that have been
spotted. The vessel will moor overnight in the flat calm
of Baie Ternay.
DAY 3
A southerly course brings the Maya's
Dugong further down the western coast of Mahé toward
Anse a la Mouche, for some diving and snorkelling with
the pastoral south of Mahé as our backdrop. With MCSS in
the air spotting for whale sharks in the morning, the
afternoon will again see us rendezvous with the MCSS
vessel in search of any sightings. In the evening, we'll
learn more about the work currently being done by the
MCSS to monitor and conserve whale sharks.
DAY 4
The vessel cruises back northward, to
Shark Bank off the northwest coast of Mahé for a morning
dive at this unique site, one of Seychelles' deepest on
the inner island plateau. With the micro-lite's morning
reconnaissance, we will hopefully have another excursion
with MCSS for a whale shark encounter in the afternoon.
Before dinner we'll enjoy a presentation on whale shark
migration across the world, and say goodbye to the MCSS
staff who will be disembarking back to Mahé in the
evening. Overnight anchorage will be at Bel Ombre, where
we'll have the opportunity for a night dive at its small
wreck site.
DAY 5
The vessel cruises across toward
Praslin, arriving at Booby rock, where we'll have two
opportunities to dive at this thrilling location for a
variety of marine life. Although we will not have aerial
support through the rest of the journey, we'll take
advantage of the Dugong's tall observation deck to
search for additional whale shark encounters along the
way. With the experience gained from having the MCSS
officials onboard, our guests will now be able to record
details for any sightings on their own, for inclusion
into the MCSS database. As an option, guests may also
disembark at Anse Possession, Praslin, for an afternoon
visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vallee de
Mai.
DAY 6
After an early morning dive at Pointe
Rouge, this leisurely day will be spent visiting
Curieuse Island, where passengers will be able to
explore its mountain pathways and mangrove boardwalk, as
well as its giant tortoise farm. A beach BBQ will be
arranged on the island for a late lunch and afternoon
swim, before returning onboard for a night dive.
DAY 7
In the morning the Maya's Dugong
cruises toward the Ave Maria rock near La Digue. Not
only is this an excellent dive site on its own merit,
but this passage is also a common place to spot whale
sharks as well. Following any encounters, the vessel
will cruise back toward Mahé for overnight anchorage
near the Ste Anne Marine Park. In the evening, we will
have a final de-briefing and a farewell BBQ.
DAY 8
Disembarkation at the Inter Island
Quay, Port Victoria, Mahé at 8.30 am.
ABOUT THE ITINERARY
Whale sharks are wild animals and
while MCSS have identified their usual favourite feeding
places these can vary on even a day-to-day basis.
MCSS find the sharks using a
microlight aircraft which does a complete survey around
Mahé each morning to direct the monitoring boats into
the best location for the afternoon. In the afternoons
the aircraft directs the boats on to the sharks to
ensure the maximum possible chance of success.
As such, our ability to locate the
whale sharks is weather dependent as rain or high winds
stop the microlight aircraft from flying. Because of
this the itinerary should be regarded as a guide only
and we will reschedule days to enable us to make the
most of the situation during the week; days may also
shift around due to poor sighting conditions or days
when the sharks are not at the surface.
ABOUT THE MCSS PROGRAMME
The MCSS have been monitoring whale
sharks around Seychelles since its pilot project in
November 1996. The programme has grown steadily both in
terms of scope and size and is now one of the most
comprehensive whale shark research programmes globally.
The programme is led by whale shark researcher Dr. David
Rowat and receives financial support for specific
project components from the Save Our Seas Foundation,
which enables a wide range of activities to be
implemented.
From its inception in 1996, the
programme has relied upon the enthusiasm and support of
the public in assisting with the gathering of data and
this 'citizen science' has been the primary building
block on which the programme is based. However, in order
to maximise the value of the data collected, the
monitoring systems require strict standardisation and
while the public is directly involved in the in-water
encounter activities, the data are handled by a team of
intern volunteers who are trained in the necessary data
capture activities and data entry to ensure compliance
with standards.
ENCOUNTER CODE OF CONDUCT
Since 2003 whale sharks are a
protected species in Seychelles, due largely to the work
of the MCSS programme. All the monitoring activities are
run according to the Encounter Code which was developed
through two public workshops and approved by the
Government of Seychelles. You will be fully briefed on
this by the MCSS team aboard the Maya’s Dugong.
GUEST PARTICIPATION
There are a number of activities that
will be going on during the monitoring days, the most
important being the identification of the whale sharks,
which is largely done by in-water digital photography.
There are also a number of environmental monitoring
activities such as plankton tows and temperature / depth
profiles, all of which the MCSS team will be pleased to
have guests assist in, if they so wish. Back onboard the
Maya’s Dugong the team will process the information from
the day's activities allowing guests to assist in the
photo-identification of the sharks seen that afternoon.
Guests’ participation in this whale
shark monitoring programme expedition aboard Maya Dugong
can be used to qualify for the PADI Project Aware
'Whale Shark Awareness' specialty qualification - please
ask our crew for additional details. MCSS also offer a
several other ways guests can help whale shark
conservation such as by adopting a whale shark - the
MCSS team will be pleased to discuss with passengers
about these opportunities aboard.
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