Whales are large marine mammals classified as cetaceans. Madagascar is home to two types of whales: the humpback whale and the whale shark, which put on a majestic show every year. For fans of the sea and marine animals, as well as for people who enjoy exploring new sensations, the coasts of Madagascar are ideal for observing marine life, especially whales, throughout an entire season. They migrate by the hundreds during the southern winter months off the Malagasy coast, and when they arrive in southern Madagascar, they split up, with some heading to the island of Sainte-Marie to stay in Antongil Bay.
Humpback whale: The gradual arrival of humpback whales along Madagascar’s coastline.
The Sainte-Marie region is Madagascar’s third most popular tourist destination, thanks to the humpback whale migration, which attracts over 5,000 tourists each year during the southern winter months—around 50% of annual tourism. The humpback whale measures 14 to 17 m in length and weighs close to 30 tons when fully grown. Humpback whales live for around thirty years, and females can give birth to more than fifteen calves. They are distinguished by their long pectoral fins and a small dorsal fin located in the second third of their body. They can be identified by their typically shaped fins and all-black upper side, sometimes with a few white or gray marks or scars. Their belly is whitish. Their head and lower jaw are covered with small bumps called tubercles. Shallow, warm, protected waters are their preferred habitat.
From June onwards, humpback whales leave the cold waters of Antarctica, more than 8,000 km from Madagascar, for the warm tropical waters, where they reproduce and calve along Madagascar’s coast. Females return to the same areas each year to mate, and it’s likely you may witness them giving birth, as well as the calf imitating its mother—a way of helping it take its first steps. This makes Madagascar a breeding ground. Humpbacks can also be seen in Antongil Bay, Nosy Be, and south of Tuléar from mid-June to September. In October, after a few months’ gestation, they head south with their newborn calves.
Whale sharks: the world’s largest fish
The whale shark is a gigantic creature, with a gray back and white belly. They have vertical stripes on their backs and sides. They have no spines, only white dots covering their bodies. They can be recognized by their flat head and large mouth, which can measure up to 2 m in width. The life expectancy of this marine animal may exceed 100 years. Between September and December, whale sharks travel to the tropical and temperate waters of the Indian Ocean, specifically Nosy Be, Madagascar, to feed.
Here, you can observe individuals measuring between 4 and 10 m in length, mainly juveniles, as adults rarely exceed 12 m. As the world’s largest fish, they can weigh up to 34 tonnes when 15 m long. You can observe them from a boat for quite a while, but the most exciting experience is diving and swimming with them. They’re totally harmless, as they are filter feeders. All you need is fins, a mask, or even a snorkel, and then you can glide through the water. Despite their size, they only feed on zooplankton—microscopic organisms such as tuna eggs or crab larvae.
CétaMada: Nonprofit Association
You can also take the chance to observe whales with guides trained by CétaMada, a Madagascan association whose aim is to preserve marine mammal populations and their habitats through responsible, sustainable ecotourism.