Madagascar

There’s a New Whale in Town

If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing the Indian Ocean with a marine science crew, seeking out a species of whale so rare it was only discovered a few years ago, Go2Africa has your wildest adventure covered.

Their new Omura’s Whale Conservation Research Sailing Adventure in Madagascar is an experience that’ll take you right into some next-level eco-research.

Picture this: You’re cruising along Madagascar’s northwest coast aboard Ocean Sunrise, a sleek 60-foot schooner captained by Simon Blackburn, who probably knows these waters better than his own backyard. But here’s the real kicker—you’re not just any old tourist, snapping selfies. You’re joining the crew that discovered Omura’s whale (think of them as the cheetahs of the ocean, sleek, fast, and forever patrolling their coastal hunting grounds).

With an ancient lineage going back who knows how long, they were only recognized as their own species in 2003. And get this—they don’t even bother migrating, they just hang around hunting krill like mini-dolphins, all in a small strip of ocean off Madagascar.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it? Jump in a speedboat with the scientists and head to known whale feeding spots. If you spot the elusive Omura, the team will get to work, collecting skin biopsies, fecal matter (yep, that’s a thing), and snapping some photo IDs like it’s a high-stakes oceanic paparazzi job. You’ll be part of the whole process, watching them tag and study these graceful creatures, and learning about efforts to turn their habitat into a marine protected area.

When you’re not chasing whales, there’s plenty of downtime to soak in the surroundings. Madagascar’s northwest coast is as off-the-grid as it gets: think deserted beaches, mangroves teeming with wildlife, and fishing villages where the pace of life is still set by the tides. You’ll have a guide and a second tender at your disposal for exploring the coastline, hiking inland to spot lemurs, snorkeling in pristine waters, or simply kicking back on deck with a drink in hand, basking in the knowledge that you’re one of the lucky few who get to call this place home—at least for a week.

Back onboard, you’ll share meals and stories with the crew, discussing the day’s findings and delving into the research on Madagascar’s marine megafauna. And while Ocean Sunrise might not come with all the bells and whistles of a luxury yacht (think fans instead of A/C), it’s got just the right touch of comfort to keep you relaxed.

So if a week on a private sailing yacht, tracking one of the world’s rarest whale species, while also exploring Madagascar’s untouched corners sounds like your kind of trip, Go2Africa’s got your next adventure sorted. You’ll leave with a lifetime of memories, and maybe, just maybe, a deep-rooted obsession with Omura’s whales.