ZAVORA MARINE LAB. – YARA TIBIRICA, ZAVORA, MOZAMBIQUE

In 2009, the Zavora Marine Lab was established to promote and facilitate research and conservation in southern Mozambique. Our lab has since its inception developed vital research for the region and raised environmental awareness through educational programs with local communities and visitors.

Zavora is one of the few places in the world where both species of Manta Rays (Manta birostris and Manta alfredi) can be seen all year around. The sub-tropical reefs are stunning and the diversity of life is impressive. Zavora offers the unique opportunity to study a marine environment that had little to no impact from recreational diving activities and where there remains much reef yet to be explored. The laboratory works in partnership with Mozdivers Zavora, Zavora Lodge and the Oceans Research and is under the direction of B.Sc. M.(Ecotourism) Yara Tibiriçá (Iemanja – Marine Conservation).

We are currently developing projects involving Manta Ray populations, divers’ impacts on Manta Rays and cleaning stations used by Manta Rays, diversity and distribution of opisthobranches (nudibranchs and sea slugs), reef monitoring, socio-economic studies on dive tourism and the relative population abundance of migratory Humpback Whales. Our studies to date highlight the diversity of Zavora’s marine life; over 70 individual Manta Rays have been catalogued, more than 83 species of sea slugs have been identified, including a few undescribed species, along with 214 species of fish, and four reef monitoring surveys have been completed.

If you are coming to Zavora we invite you to attend one of our weekly presentations on Zavora’s marine life. If you wish to go deeper and to learn more about marine science and our fabulous marine life you may also apply for a month long internship program (limited space and CVs required) or participate in a marine conservation scientific dive course focusing on Manta Rays (15 days of theoretical and practical field work, this program is exclusively for groups from 6 to 8 people).

For more information please visit our website www.zavoralab.com , www.oceans-research.com or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .