Djibouti

Located in East Africa and bordered by Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the west and Somalia to the southeast Djibouti has the Gulf of Aden to the East. A very hot and arid country, especially during the summer the best time to visit is from October to April when temperatures are cooler.

Djibouti is widely known for the large gatherings of whale sharks which can be found between October and January. Djibouti’s Gulf of Tadjourah is used as a safe area and nursery for the juvenile whale sharks who feed in the plankton rich waters of the gulf. The whale shark is the largest fish on the planet with only a few whale species larger. Growing to a size of up to 20m, weighing 34 tonnes and its checkerboard pattern make encounters with these creatures unforgettable. Often seen at the surface this destination is ideal for both snorkelers and divers alike. After seeing the largest fish in the world spotters usually depart with some of the biggest smiles on the planet!

Whale Shark Spotting

Traveling to the Bay of Tadjourah this itinerary focuses on finding and spending the maximum time possible with these gigantic creatures. The itinerary is flexible according to where the whale sharks have been sighted and will involve extensive snorkeling activities in addition to diving within the Gulf Al Khareb.

The Goubet al Kharab is a large bay that is connected to the gulf of Tadjourah and the open sea by a narrow channel. Geologically it marks the start of the great rift valley and the junction between the African and Arabian continental plates.

This itinerary is suitable for all levels of divers and carries no certification requirements.

Seven Brothers

Seven remote and uninhabited islands lie in the narrow Bab El-Mandab straits, which marks the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This bio diverse area is known as the Seven Brothers and offers the opportunity to see some of the richest corals in the entire Arabian Peninsula. Visibility reaches up to 40m, although sometimes limited due to the vast amount of plankton in the water. A mixture of both Arabian and Red Sea species along with the popular whale sharks. As this area is still relatively untouched the quantity of fish life is breathtaking. Corals are pristine with some enormous table corals to be found.

On this itinerary less time is spent in the Tadjourah area to allow for journey time to and from the Seven Brothers

Strong currents are common so this trip is recommended for Advanced Open Water divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives or assisted by experienced buddy/instructor

Whale Shark Project

TMF fully supports conservation globally and welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Whale Shark Project. Our guides are trained to offer the PADI Project Aware Whale Shark Speciality which gives you an insight into the behaviour, physiology and habits of these majestic animals. You will learn how to interact with the creatures in a responsible way that has no negative impact on the creatures themselves. During the trip TMF guides will instruct you on how data collected during the expedition can be used by the Whale Shark Project to assist scientists and conservation experts in learning more.