Dolphin Encounters In Mozambique

Questions: Swimming With Dolphins Dolphin trip operator Accommodation & food The boat and the weather The dolphin encounters Tips and advice Disappointments Rating

Which company did you go with, and where?

I did a web search and found Dolphin EnCOuntours who are based in Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique, through Top Adventure Tours (make an enquiry).

Both companies' service was very good. It was a very 'natural' service which we appreciated. No one was constantly asking whether we were having a good time (unlike other places we stayed at). We were given clear guidelines/instructions and we knew what to do during which times!

There was nothing we didn't like about either company, apart from the biting insects! Top Adventure Tours was especially good in the run up to the actual holiday. Highly informative and always quick responses received.

Dolphin EnCOuntours gave lots of briefings. Very informative and almost immediately we were all able to recognise the signs and behaviour of the dolphins (we also decided to join up for the turtle talk and walk). The team were very caring.

I would definitely recommend them (with Dolphin EnCOuntours continuing with the absolute emphasis on animal/mammal/cetacean respect and conservation).

We stayed in a reed casita. We knew what to expect and it met our expectations.

The food was EXCELLENT thank you George, Rox and the team.

We had to push the boat (which could take 12 people plus 3-4 crew; 12m hull) into the sea, get into it, go and find the dolphins, come back and walk back to camp.

We spent 5.5 hours out at sea.

Did you get seasick?

Yes (wife on first day due to excitement of the dolphin encounters more than anything and was fine immediately after and daughter on last day) - no medication taken as didn't think it would help. The Dolphin EnCOuntours team gave us tips on how to avoid sickness which my wife found useful on the following days.

How was the weather?

First two days were great, then a little choppy on the last (we didn't interact with dolphins in the water on the last day although we saw lots. The signs they showed us told us something was not right in the water, although there were many of them around).

We saw (very close) bottlenose dolphins and humpbacks; it was exiting. Angie can give you the exact figures. We saw a baby, adolescents, elders… lots.

Enjoy the "back to the basics" adventure.

My wife would perhaps recommend a washing line or something in the reed casita we had as we could not hang anything up to dry. But this is a very minor and material point which did not prevent the full enjoyment of the trip!

What was the most useful item that you took with?

My wife (and micro fibre towels).

Unfortunately the digital photos we took became 'corrupt' during the download onto the computer and we have only been able to recover a few! Fortunately we had a Kodak underwater camera and although the quality of photos is very poor, at least we have a couple of photos! One other family we were with at Dolphin Encountours also lost their photos from Ponta... so we reckon there must be a photo jinx! Angie at Dolphin Encountours should be posting a DVD of our swims with the dolphins though. We paid for it direct and can't wait to receive it!

We had A++ swim i.e. 36 minutes with the dolphins (which we were told is rare).