Swim with whale sharks off the coast of Tanzania and Mexico with Aqua-Firma, the wilderness travel company who will host expeditions to dive with the biggest fish on the planet: Whale Sharks. This is a unique chance to experience marine life in some of the world's most exotic locations, led by some of the world's best experts in the field.
Aqua-Firma runs safe and responsible encounters with whale sharks, whom despite their size are harmless creatures feeding largely on plankton.
Marine biologist, Dr Simon Pierce, guides guests through snorkelling or scuba diving experiences throughout the Galapagos, East Africa, Costa Rica, and Mexico with a team of experts. The trips are focused on exploring the areas whale sharks are known to aggregate for feeding to give the best chance of sightings.
In addition to whale sharks, which are generally around 8-11m long, guests can experience multiple forms of marine life from hundreds of species of fish, algae, and coral to protected Green and Giant Leatherback turtles across kilometres of Marine Protected Areas.
On Aqua-Firma's Whale Shark Research & Photography experiences in Mexico, guests can snorkel amongst the world's largest known accumulation of whale sharks with leading local and international researchers.
In Tanzania, Aqua-Firma is now the prime sponsor for whale shark research on Mafia Island – a stunning location in which to share the water with these ocean giants and enjoy some of East Africa's most untouched coral reefs.
Aqua-Firma's other shark encounters include walking beside white tip reef sharks and scuba diving with schools of a hundred or more hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos, Malpelo and Costa Rica's Cocos Island, even larger schools of Silky Sharks in Mexico's Socorro; and Ragged Tooth Sharks whose teeth litter the floor at their popular hangouts in South Africa.
“The most whale sharks I have seen from our research vessel in Mexico is about 180, with as many Giant Mantas rays to snorkel with beneath the water,” reports Aqua-Firma Director, Ralph Pannell.
Combining beautiful coastline with expansive beaches and protected reefs, these trips are perfect for guests who want to explore the fascinating marine diversity of Tanzania or Mexico while learning from experts in the field. As Above & Below Water travel experts, clients are also invited to combine these experiences with Aqua-Firma wildlife safaris in Tanzania; and rainforest and cultural experiences in Mexico.
