MAR Expeditions

About MAR

MAR Expeditions provides an opportunity for aspiring scientists, passionate conservationists, and engaged naturalists to gain scientific scuba diving & freediving experience, support research, and learn first hand from experts in a variety of different environments. During an expedition, you can expect to have experiences with manta rays, sharks, humpback whales, nudibranchs, seahorses, and much more. The east coast of southern Africa has an incredible amount of biodiversity and offers the opportunity to experience these unique and charismatic species in some of the most beautiful and wild places along the coastline. Our mission is to help to conserve the marine biodiversity of southern Africa through educational expeditions, sustainable diving, and ocean advocacy.

Manta Rays

Manta research aims to generate knowledge of the region’s manta ray populations and assist with their conservation in southern Mozambique.

Nudibranchs

Zavora Marine Lab is conducting the first assessment of nudipleura in Mozambique: solving a complex of species problems and describing new species.

whales

Humpback whales come to Zavora each year to reproduce and give birth. Land-based surveys and fluke ID help provide estimates of humpback populations travelling through the region.

Artificial Reefs

Of the 2 wrecks in Zavora, the newly sunken Rio Sainas [2013] provided an excellent opportunity to monitor the colonization of an artificial reef right from ground zero.

Seahorses

Together with iSeahorse, MAR aims to assess and monitor seahorse populations, trends, and threats in the Inhambane region.

Sharks

Visual surveys and baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) are helping to collect baseline data on the elasmobranch species in the region.

Turtles

Five of the seven sea turtle species can be found in Mozambique. In Zavora, we commonly see 4 of these on our reefs, two of which are known to nest on our beaches.

Begin your adventure to the wild and remote coast of southern Africa

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About our expeditions

-24.513552, 35.193464 | Praia de Zavora | Mozambique
Travel. Dive. Explore. Learn.

All of our expeditions support our partner organizations in each of their respective regions. By joining an expedition not only are you supporting their projects, but you are getting to join and learn from leading experts in their fields. In addition to this, you will get to participate in community outreach projects, underwater & beach clean ups, and a variety of workshops. Our goal is to spread love and conservation support throughout southern Africa, while providing you with incredible experiences along the way! Our mission and vision are rooted in an innate respect and appreciation for the natural world and the desire to see oceans prosper under global understanding and stewardship.

  • Dive with purpose

    Explore some of the most wild and untouched places of southern Africa while learning from our experts and supporting a variety of different projects.

  • Mentorship

    Limited group size allows for quality one-on-one guidance with a trained marine biologist during your trip.

  • Marine Life

    Mozambique and South Africa have some of the best diving in the world. Expect to see manta rays, sharks, stingrays, whales, dolphins, and an astonishing diversity of macrolife.

  • Community environment

    During your expedition, you will live together, learn together and develop lasting friendships.

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The MAR Team

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Nakia Cullain

Marine Biologist & Conservationist, Founder of MAR Expeditions
Nakia holds a MSc in marine biology from Dalhousie University. In 2016, Nakia founded MAR and took over as director of ZML, continuing and expanding research in the region while fulfilling her passion for the oceans.
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Mornay Delport

Director of Operations, Dive Guide & Scuba Instructor
Mornay has had a passion for diving and conservation since childhood. Mornay oversees dive planning and safety as a certified NAUI Instructor, as well as manages general lab operations.
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Corey Nevels

Marine Biologist, Dive Guide & Underwater Photographer
Corey has been a part of the MAR team since 2018 when she completed her dive master certification with us. She spends much of her time in Mozambique helping to run expeditions and educating others on marine conservation.
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Yara Tibirica

Founder, Zavora Marine Lab
Yara is a diver, researcher and conservationist from Brazil. In 2009 she founded A.C.C.M. and the Zavora Marine Lab. She is our expert on nudibranchs in Mozambique and a main collaborator with MAR.

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