This is a typical example of the Whaleshark Encounters itinerary. The schedule is subject to change according to prevailing weather conditions and is only given as a example of what you would usually encounter during your holiday.

Day 1
After getting your visa and luggage, you will be met in Djibouti Airport by a representative of the boat and taken to the port for boarding. After a lovely lunch, settle into your cabin, set up the dive gear and meet your fellow passengers. Depending on the group arrival times, you may depart from the harbour this evening or early the next.

Day 2
The check dive normally starts off at Ras Eiro which is also a brilliant place to find morays (yellowspot and normally morays). Then start the first of your whaleshark snorkeling expeditions! Grab the rib and head out to one of their feeding areas. Watch out for their tail fins breaking the waves then grab your snorkel and in you go. The whalesharks are quite placid when feeding near the surface so you can get super close! In the afternoon a dive is planned at Le Dome, which is a good place to find turtles as you spiral up the reef. There are normally large amounts of twin spot snappers too. There is an optional night dive before dinner.

Day 3
Start the morning with a bang as you head back out for more whalesharks. If you want to duck down beneath them, a light weightbelt is handy. Follow up with the morning dive at Ras Bilal. in the depths. Volcanic rocks lead from the reef to deeper water - here you can find large grouper. As you come shallower the reef starts with platoons of sergeant majors and glass fish. After lunch dive the shallow reef at Ras Bilal beach or go back round the headland for more whalesharks. There is an optional night dive before dinner.

Day 4
Repeat Ras Bilial in the morning before more fun with the whalesharks. In case they are not at the beach to the north there is a second spot to the south of the boat which is equally good for whalesharks. They tend to be close to the shore where the plankton is densest so watch out for the tell tale fins. After lunch the boat will depart for the Ghoubet. This is an ideal opportunity to turn off the engines and hoist the sails. Enjoy sailing on the wind. In the afternoon you can dive le Petit Passage, a rip roaring drift. There is an optional night dive before dinner.

Day 5
The morning dive is a deep one at Red Virgin. Follow the canyon down to your max depth before you begin to come up into the shallows. Here the hard corals are pristine and peppered with Christmas tree worms. Mobula can be seen at depth too if you are lucky. The second dive is the Ancient Pearlery where you can find large clams amid the stone mounds. The same vibrant hard corals are found in the shallows. Before sunset follow your guide up a neighbouring mountain for an astonishing view of the rift valley. As the sun sets over the hills the atmosphere is magic. There is an optional night dive before dinner.

Day 6
Staying inside the Ghoubet splash in a Kite Surfer Bay. There are loads of splendid anemones here with clownfish and dominos darting about. The sandy bottom is also good for sting rays and blue spotted rays. Heading back towards Djibouti, you can take a dive along the coastline before Ras Bilal. This is an excellent spot for the whalesharks but in case the reef is home to turtles, jacks and even small tuna. There is another chance to snorkel with the whalesharks in case you don’t find them on the dive. There is an optional night dive before dinner.

Day 7
This is the final day’s diving and is spent at Ras Korali. Dive both the inside of the reef and outside. The corals are excellent here, especially above 12m. Plenty of butterfly fish, banner fish and fusiliers on both sites. Take the rib for your final inspiring swim with the whalesharks. After why not join the team for a game of beach football. The final night is spent on board.

Day 8
Depending on your flight times, you will have the option for a day tour to Lake Assal (local surcharge) This naturally occurring lake is filled with salt water pushing up from the below the earth and is incredibly salty. Enjoy floating about effort free. You will then be taken to a hotel where you can shower before you airport transfer and return journey.

If you would like to add an extension, combine this with another product or tweak the itinerary give us a call so we can discuss your dream diving holiday.

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