Whale Sharks
Very little is known about these magnificent creatures. In the wider Indian Ocean there has been un-limited slaughter for the far eastern food-fad restaurant industry. However, in the Seychelles waters, whale sharks are a CITES protected species with sightings on the increase over the past few years. The Underwater Centre Seychelles is closely involved with the Whale Shark Monitoring programme of the Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles.

You can join in and assist with the programme 
By accompanying the whale shark tagging programme trips during your stay in the Seychelles.

Here is how it works
Mid to late August - Micro-lite pilots and tagging team arrive Seychelles. 
September to October -  viewing and tagging tours. Weather permitting
the pilot does a survey flight around Mahe Island and radios back to the land base the location of the sharks how many.

As a general rule, trips are not confirmed until 11.30hrs on the day at the earliest. It is then a case of a bus ride to either the south of Mahe and then by boat or direct from the Underwater Centre, North Mahe by boat. Each boat takes 14 paying passengers, either for viewing the sharks by snorkelling or from the boat, 3 MCSS researchers and skipper.

Only 7 snorkellers are allowed in the water at a time. Guide price per passenger is €125. This charge helps to cover the cost of the spotter plane, boat charter, researchers etc. 

Will I see a Whale Shark?
The chances are good! with up to 700 in-water encounters per year.
Weather is an important factor as  it can sometimes get quite rough making it impossible to snorkel.  Some clients stay in the boat to view and photograph, others will snorkel around the whale shark and hopefully get some good pictures with their underwater cameras.

For further details please call us on ≠44 (0)1202 877 330, email us or visit www.mcss.sc