August 2023: Kisawa was delighted to host underwater photographer and writer, Helen Walne at the sanctuary last week.

Helen marks the first in our new Island Residencies series, where Kisawa invites international artists from mixed platforms to explore the stunning biodiversity, culture and environment of coastal Mozambique, through their own unique point of view.

Helen’s vivid eye and talent in documenting the kaleidoscopic experience that ocean life presents, plus her extensive knowledge in conservation and marine preservation makes her the ideal first candidate for the initiative. Her joy in celebrating and sharing the rich biodiversity of the Inhambane seascape, declared a hope spot by Sylvia Earle, was evident from her first moment on the island.

“I might be in love with Mozambique. The colour of the ocean! The squeaky sand! The duiker, the dune vegetation, the bush turtles“, Helen says.

“The corals around Kisawa Sanctuary in the Bazaruto National Marine Park are crazy healthy, stitched together by threads of neon tropical fish. Benguerra Island is so untouched: dunes unfolding into billowing clouds; the occasional dhow scudding past; the eternal lapping of the Indian Ocean. I could have stayed in the water all day“.

As part of her stay, Helen visited Benguerra Primary school to discuss her unique underwater career, alongside teacher Vicente. The students could barely believe Helen’s work and were astonished by some of the more ‘close up’ experiences of the species Helen meets while under the sea.

We are so excited to see Helen’s photographic essay exploring our Indian Ocean home. Watch this space!