Anvil Bay Marine Life

Turtles

The Indian Ocean off the coast of Southern Mozambique is home to 4 out of the 7 species of sea turtle that can be found worldwide. Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill and the Green turtle occur here. Guests joining us for an Ocean Safari adventure may be able to spot these magnificent ancient reptiles when they surface.

The coastline is also a rich nesting ground for both Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. The turtle ‘season’ officially begins on the 1st of October each year and runs through to the 31st of March. As part of our conservation efforts Anvil Bay, Ponta Chemucane assists with the monitoring and protection of Mozambique’s southern turtle populations in association with the team from the Ponta Partial Marine Reserve. You can read more about the turtle monitoring program and the Ponta Partial Marine Reserve here

Whales

The majestic Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) and occasionally the larger Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena Australis) follow an annual migration pattern when they leave their summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic and head north to the waters nearer the equator during the winter months. The migration brings them to the warmer waters of Mozambique between the months of July and November during the breeding and calving season.

Dolphins

Of the three species of Dolphin which occur, Spinners, Indo-Pacific Humpbacks and Bottlenose Dolphins, the most commonly encountered are the Bottlenose, easily recognized by their cheeky smiles. The Marine Reserve, within which lies Anvil Bay, is one of the few places in the world where one can swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat.