|
An Ocean Odysseys expedition aboard the
MV Maya’s Dugong
In collaboration with the Marine
Conservation Society of Seychelles
Experience the awe of the ocean’s largest
fish, the whale shark,
in
the beautiful surrounds of Seychelles.
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. |
