WHALES & WHALE SHARKS
BARRA + TOFU, MOZAMBIQUE
Capturing the Giants of the Ocean
A Transformational Experience in Photography, Storytelling & Ocean Conservation
📍Barra + Tofu, Mozambique
27th September - 6th October 2025
With Outdoor Photographer Melody Sky & TV Producer Katie Reisz
I couldn’t be more excited about this trip! My journey began in the ocean as an underwater photographer, and although I spend the majority of my time up in the mountains, my heart belongs to the ocean. And I have a particular love of the giants inhabiting the deep waters. Having previously worked on a Whaleshark research programme, I know how much it gave me. So now we are launching our first of hopefully many trips to photograph these magnificent creatures.
We would like to invite you to join us us in the stunning waters of Inhambane, Mozambique, for this one-of-a-kind photography and content creation workshop centered around whales, whale sharks, and ocean conservation. This immersive experience is designed to elevate your skills in capturing breathtaking imagery and crafting compelling, educational, and inspiring content—all while deepening your connection to the ocean and its conservation. We will have ocean conservationists there to help you gain knowlege and also offer you the opportunity to add a PADI Humpback Whale Conservation Specialty course and the Whale Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty course.
Photo: @mikedoherty_photos
Itinerary
27th September - 6th October 2025
Stay Updated!
The full itinerary is not yet finalised, but if you're interested in potentially joining this trip, email us to be the first to receive updates as soon as details are confirmed. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!
**If you would like to get in the water then you will need to be able to swim. However, you can also remain in the boat to observe and photograph. If you are a scuba diver, we can also add on some scuba diving to your trip. However this trip is designed around snorkelling or shallow freediving and from a boat.
“We want our photographers to leave not only with the skills to photograph these incredible giants and with some great storytelling content, but we want them to leave with a certificate that shows they have learned how to protect and preserve invaluable lives of these creatures. Whalesharks are on the IUCN endangered species list. We hope that our group will spread positive and insightful messages through their social media and beyond. In addition, we will have carefully prepared meals and a yoga teacher on site so that everyone leaves physically, emotonally, mentally and spiritually charged”.
Location
Between Barra & Tofo Beach, Mozambique
Accommodation: Umbila: Barra
To reach Inhambane, Mozambique, from countries like Switzerland, the UK, or the USA, you'll need to take connecting flights, as there are no direct international routes to Inhambane Airport (INH).
1. Fly to a Major African Hub:
From Switzerland, the UK, or the USA: Book a flight to a major African airport such as Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in South Africa or Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique. These airports are well-connected to various international destinations.
2. Connect to Inhambane:
From Johannesburg (JNB): You can book a flight to Inhambane. However, as of February 2025, there are no direct flights on this route; flights typically have one stopover, often in Maputo.
From Maputo (MPM): LAM Mozambique Airlines operates flights to Inhambane. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, with an average round-trip price of $501.
If you need help planning your journey, our travel expert Christy and Adriana can take care of everything for you from flights to travel visa’s.
Weather
In September, Mozambique's coastal regions experience warm and pleasant weather, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. Average daytime temperatures typically range from 25°C to 27°C (77°F to 81°F), with nighttime temperatures cooling to between 17°C and 20°C (63°F to 68°F). Rainfall is minimal during this period, as September falls within the dry season.
In September, Mozambique's coastal waters offer comfortable temperatures ideal for swimming and marine activities. Average sea temperatures range from approximately 22.2°C (72°F) to 26.2°C (79°F), depending on the specific location along the coast. For instance, in Tofo Beach, water temperatures typically vary between 22.2°C (72°F) and 25.6°C (78°F) during this month.
These warm sea conditions are particularly favorable for snorkeling, diving, and observing marine wildlife, including humpback whales and whale sharks, which are commonly sighted in Mozambique's waters during this period.
Equipment
The following equipment is recommended. We will have a selection of lenses for you to try out. We also have a partnership with a reputable camera and lens rental company in Zurich, who can deliver rental equipment to you prior to your departure (at an additional cost).
2 x DSLR/mirrorless camera bodies if possible so that you avoid changing lenses (risking sand)
A telephoto, and super-telephoto (minimum 400mm) will be sufficient. A teleconverter is an option. I also use my 70-200mm and 16-35mm.
A tripod (for sunset timelapses)
Spare batteries (where possible) + charger
Cards for your camera
Laptop
Rental is a great way to be able to bring lenses that you don’t own. Please get in touch for our recommended companies in which you can rent your gear.
Photo: Todd Cravens
Conservation & Certification
During your photography and content creation workshop, you will take part in two conservation speciality courses at the end of which you will leave with a certification. Our partner Liquid Dive are a 100 % AWARE partner who ensure that all diving and snorkelling activities are conducted in a manner that is environmentally friendly, thus contributing to protecting and saving the underwater environment.
The Whale Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty introduces you to Whale Shark biology and behaviour and their distribution around the globe. You will also learn about Whale Shark monitoring programs, research and conservation efforts as well as the correct photographing techniques.
The theory part of the course takes around 4 hours and then we head to the Ocean Safari to look for these giants and to photograph once the theory is completed.
Please remember whale sharks are considered endangered by the IUCN due to the impacts of fisheries, by-catch losses, and vessel strikes, combined with its long lifespan and late maturation, if we we will encounter a Whale Shark on a safari, consider yourself a very lucky person!
The PADI Humpback Whale Conservation Specialty starts with a lesson about the magnificent whales of Tofo. Our guide will fully brief you about our boat launching procedures, codes of conduct and how we interact with the whales.
Whale Watching is great in Tofo, since the Humpback Whales visit every winter from June to October. In increasing numbers, they migrate here and use the safe waters as a birthing ground and to raise their young. Thus, making Tofo an excellent place to witness, research and raise awareness of these graceful giants.
During our time at the sea, we observe several groups of whales, listen to their singing through hydrophone, try to take ID pictures of their flukes and learn more about their behavior and conservation.
If our experienced guide sees the opportunity to swim with these intelligent mammals you may enter the water with them. There is however a strict code of conduct and we can never guarantee swimming with them, safety comes first. Seeing them from the boat is already a magical experience.
Our wish on these workshops is that you leave with not only great images, stories and more skills to photograph these incredible creatures and the ocean environment, but also that you leave with an increased awareness and knowlege on ocean and wildlife conservation making you key voices through your own social channels and interactions with your friends and families.
Meet the team
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Katie Reisz
FILM & TV PRODUCER + BUSINESS MANAGER MELODY SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
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Melody Sky
MELODY SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
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Maya Hutchfield
SOCIAL MEDIA
Prices and details
Dates: 27th September - 6th October 2025
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
One Photographer - TBC
SHARING
Two Photographers Sharing - TBC
NON-PARTICIPANT DOUBLE
One Photographer, Plus One - TBC
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Included in the price:
• Airport transfers from Imhambane to your hotel
• All daily expert photography instruction
• All daily expert content creation instruction
• All meals and drinks including non-premium alcoholic beverages
• Whale Shark & Whale courses and certifications
• Daily yoga practice
• All healthy meals
Excluded in the price:
• Staff and Guide Gratuities
• Travel Insurance
• International airfares
• VISAS
• Medical Expense, Vaccines and/or medications
DEPOSIT
A TBC deposit is due within 7-days of confirmation and reserves your spot. The balance is due 60 Days proir to the date of travel.
FOR BOOKINGS AND QUESTIONS
Travel & Visas: Contact our travel advisor Christie at travel@melodysky.com
All other questions: Contact our business manager Katie at katie@melodysky.com
ASSUMPTION OF RISK & LIABILITY RELEASE
Prior to your travel departure we require a signed Assumption of Risk & Liability Release. We provide a copy of the release with your pre-workshop checklist.Melody Sky Photography, cannot be held liable for any costs incurred due to factors beyond our control. These include (but are not limited to): Force majeure, war, the threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, pandemics, health risks, and changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or alteration of the airline or aircraft type; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, and any acts of God.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Cancellations and Refunds of Payments. If we cancel a program – If we cancel a tour/workshop, you will receive a 100% refund of your payment within 30 days of the program’s cancellation (including deposits). A cancellation is rare and would happen no later than two weeks before the start of the program. We can not be responsible for airfare, accommodations, rental cars, or any other costs incurred by the cancellation. We require you to purchase travel insurance to help defray incurred costs in the event of a cancellation. Travel policies may also protect your camera gear from damage or loss. We recommend you take travel insurance to cover your equipment.
If you cancel – If you cancel for any reason after a payment is made, the deposit is non-refundable. The remaining amount paid will be refunded in full if your cancellation is outside 60 days from the program’s start. Unfortunately, if you cancel within 60 days or are a no-show, we cannot refund any of your payment. After a commitment to join a tour, the logistics to accommodate you begin immediately. If the tour or workshop you cancel fills, we will gladly refund your deposited amount, provided it is within the 60-day limitation (less any bank processing fees). All cancellations must be made in writing to katie@melodysky.com.
RAIN & WEATHER POLICY
Rain and inclement weather can sometimes (but not always) spoil shooting conditions on tours or workshops. We choose our locations during a time of year to minimise this possibility. This gives us better shooting conditions. Occasionally, uncontrollable circumstances force us to change plans. We will do everything we can to deliver a quality learning experience given the conditions we face. Despite inclement weather, there are plenty of ways to improve your photographic technique. Unfortunately, if we do experience weather that impacts our itinerary, we cannot refund any part of your payment.
