our approach to ethical whale swimming
At Mauritius Whale Swim Adventures, ethics come before encounters.
We believe that swimming with whales is a privilege, not an entitlement. Every decision on the water is guided by the behaviour, comfort, and welfare of the whales we encounter.
There are a number of sperm whale swimming operators who have unfortunately given the industry a bad name in Mauritius. As a result, the government has banned tourist-based sperm whale swimming activities since 2012. However, these regulations are rarely, if ever, enforced, with dozens of boats continuing to conduct tourist-based whale swimming activities on a daily basis without interference. Some of the operators conduct respectful whale swims, others less so. This is why we believe that thoughtful regulations, rather than a blanket bans, are the best way to optimize the well-being of the whales as well as ensuring local communities are able to sustainably benefit from the proximity of the whales.
As part of our Research Expedition guests are requested to participate in daily observations regarding the whale interactions taking place. Further information about our research can be found here.
Our number one priority is to engage in respectful encounters with the whales at all times . If we feel that a particular whale swim cannot be conducted in a respectful manner (mainly due to the unethical practices of other boats) we will withdraw and look for another whale with which to swim.
Our approach includes:
Small group sizes only
Careful assessment of whale behaviour before any in-water activity
Avoiding approaches to stressed, evasive, or tightly bonded groups
Limiting time spent near any individual or pod
Maintaining respectful distances and natural movement pathways
If conditions are not suitable for an ethical interaction, we do not enter the water. In those cases, we will either continue observing from a respectful distance or relocate to seek a different pod where an ethical encounter may be possible.
That being said, our recent experience indicates that high-quality respectful encounters are absolutely possible. Have a look at a behind the scenes of our 2025 research expeditions, here.