s. These giants of the sea can grow up to 16 meters long and weigh up to 30 tons. Encounters with them are unforgettable.
These queens of the sea leave the cold waters of Antarctica to breed and give birth in the region’s protected waters. Biologists, locals, and tourists eagerly await this season of encounters! The entire Corail Noir and Aqua Diving staff scan the horizon with anticipation, watching for the first whales of the season!
The whale season usually begins in July, with the most sightings occurring between August and September, and ends in October. During this period, whales can be regularly seen off the coast of Nosy Be. Excursions offered by the Aqua Diving center allow you to go out to sea in search of whales and their calves, who are learning to navigate the vast ocean. It is here that the calves are nursed for several months to gain strength before migrating south.
Why do whales come to Nosy Be?
Humpback whales migrate long distances each year — sometimes up to 8,000 kilometers — leaving their krill-rich feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere for tropical and temperate waters. Areas like Nosy Be offer ideal conditions: warm, shallow, calm waters.
After a gestation period of about 11 months, females give birth and nurse their young in Nosy Be. Meanwhile, the males compete for the females’ attention with spectacular jumps and powerful songs. These long, complex songs are part of the fascinating behavior that scientists around the world are still trying to understand.
Humpback whale watching and ecosystem preservation
Nosy Be plays an essential role in the life cycle of humpback whales in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, preserving this environment is crucial. Organizations such as CETAMADA work together to monitor cetacean populations, regulate operator practices, and raise awareness among communities.
By choosing your Whale Watching Trip with Aqua Diving not only you get the comfort of starting the trip right off the beach of Corail Noir hotel, you also take the decision to respect and protect the animals: On all our excursions we make sure to respect the whales and give them the space they need.
Therefore, our entire team (captains, guides and dive instructors) has been trained by the Madagascar Whaleshark Project Foundation to follow the rules for approaching whale sharks and other cetaceans.
Whale watching in Nosy Be is regulated by Malagasy law, which includes a minimum distance, boat speed, and a limited number of boats per animal observed. These regulations help limit disturbance to the animals.
By choosing an operator that respects these rules, you can enjoy beautiful encounters while respecting the environment and the species!