Ethical Practice


Prior to in-water observations and launches, participants receive a full safety briefing as well as the DIRC’s specially developed swim code of conduct that details rules and regulations while swimming with wild dolphins as well as covering the different aspects of wild dolphin behavior ensuring participants know exactly what to expect on board our vessel ‘Avalon’ who is powered by Evinrude ETEC’s that are less invasive on our environment, with cleaner technology, low emissions and quietness.


All encounters are facilitated and in-water swim facilitation is offered to those in need. Resident researchers are present on board during launches, ensuring your safety and the best dolphin experience possible. Researches will accompany you into the water and guide you interaction with the dolphins.


Our code of conduct has been specially developed over the last 16 years to ensure the dolphins safety and wellbeing comes first. Some rules you can expect to follow include:-

No touching

No diving down

No swimming with newborns

No flash photography

No chasing


At all times participants are to ensure a calm and quite disposition when observing and interacting with wild dolphins. Group size is limited to 12 and participants will share time in the water.


Currently Mozambique’s laws are very limited when it comes to marine mammals and it is our responsibility to ensure sustainable practices are followed - for the love of dolphins. This includes a one boat guideline that we follow.


Our data indicates that there is a drop in dolphin sightings during peak periods as well as a decline in class A swims (20 minutes plus). It is our hope that Mozambique will soon regulate marine mammal tourism activities.


The facility works under a formal memorandum of understanding with the Natural History Museum as well as under permit from the Directorate of Conservation Areas research permit  number 0010/2009.



Dolphin, Whale and Whale-shark - Code of Conduct

DIRC, Museu de Historia Natural, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

angie@dolphincare.org 00258 84 330 3859


Various marine mammals are found within the Ponta Partial Marine Reserve.  Resident species include Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpack dolphins. Migratory species include humpback whales and southern right whales. Oceanic offshore species include the Spinner and Spotted dolphin. The following guidelines should be strictly adhered to by both commercial and recreational boats operating within the PPMR.  The following code of conduct is based on the approach practiced by the commercial business Dolphin EnCOuntours in Ponta do Ouro.


  1. 1.No person will chase, herd, catch, kill, harass, feed or disturb marine mammals at any time.

  2. 2.Keep a slow, steady speed without changing course. If your vessel is approached by marine mammals to bow ride, refrain from altering course to approach them. Always approach from the side, never from directly behind or from front. Minimize noise disturbance by maintaining a slow, steady speed.

  3. 3.Do not approach dolphins/whales with small power craft i.e. jet skis.

  4. 4.Marine mammals have right of way.

  5. 5.Unless authorized, vessels are not to approach marine mammals within 300 meters.

  6. 6.Refrain from interference if signs of disturbance are apparent (change of directional swimming, fast ‘escape’ swimming, extended dive times, erratic directional surfacing, distress-related behaviours). 

  7. 7.Avoid mother and calf units. Do not enter into the water with newborns (<30 days old)..

  8. 8.Only enter into the water with qualified and authorized personnel.

  9. 9.Keep noise levels to a minimum. No shouting or loud whistling.

  10. 10.A 20-minute viewing time is to be followed. If marine mammals move off within this time, they must be left alone.

  11. 11. Follow a one boat guideline.


Images DIRC:

Tail slapping “you are not welcome”

Newborn characteristics include the presence of fetal folds, dark coloration and ‘ungraceful’ surfacing

Fast escape swimming