Guided Small Group Whale Watching and Swim Tour Tahiti
Description
Why Choose Wild Explorer Tahiti? *Exclusive Small Group Experience: Our tours are uniquely designed for small groups (6 guests max), guaranteeing an intimate, personalized, and truly immersive experience. *Eco-Conscious Practices: Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of the tour, adhering strictly to French Polynesian regulations, minimizing our environmental impact. *Expert-Led Exploration: Guided by certified professionals with extensive knowledge of Tahiti's marine life, we offer insightful commentary on whale behavior and migration patterns. *Comfort and Relaxation: brand-new, modern, and exceptionally comfortable boat, featuring sea leather cushions and shaded seating for ultimate relaxation. *Respectful Wildlife Interaction: We prioritize ethical encounters, allowing whales to engage on their terms, ensuring a non-invasive and respectful experience. This isn't just a tour; it's a profound connection to Tahiti's wild heart.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up is operated by boat at our meeting points only: - Paifai Garden docks - Hilton Tahiti Resort - ONLY FOR HOTEL GUESTS! We do not offer any land pick up or drop off
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Participants must be able to enter and exit the water independently and have sufficient strength and mobility to get back onto the boat using our recovery sled.
- participants should be in good general health and have no mobility issues that would prevent safe boarding/disembarking the boat
- participants must be confident swimmers and able to snorkel unassisted if they want to swim with the whales - guide and captain will decide if participants are strong enough swimmers to get in the water
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 passengers
- Do you guarantee an in-water whale swim? No. We only swim when sea conditions, visibility and whale behavior make it safe and respectful.
- Participants must also be able to enter and exit the water independently and have sufficient strength and mobility to get back onto the boat using our recovery sled.
- Minimum age for in-water whale swimming : 15
- How strong a swimmer do I need to be? For whale swims, you should be comfortable fin-swimming in open ocean at a brisk pace for short intervals. If you prefer, you can stay on the boat or snorkel only in sheltered areas.
- How many guests are on board? Small group, max 6 guests.
- What’s included? Premium masks/snorkels/fins, wetsuits, towels, drinks and snacks.
Reviews(64)
Whale watching trip, unfortunately didn't see any whales but 2 types of dolphins, spinner and rough-toothed, and eagle rays. Very friendly and professional team, beautiful morning, thank you very much
Merci beaucoup pour votre retour ! Même si les baleines n’étaient pas au rendez-vous, nous sommes ravis que vous ayez pu observer deux espèces de dauphins, des dauphins à long bec et des sténos, ainsi que des raies aigles. Merci pour vos mots sur notre équipe, et māuruuru roa pour votre confiance ! 🌺
I will give a mixed review. It is true that this excursion is not cheap. We didn't see any whales, but you have to accept that nature decides, it must remain a privilege to be able to see them. Teiki and Manutea are friendly, committed, and explain many things to us. The weather was top-notch: calm sea and bright sun. It says in the information: "What happens if we don't see any whales?" We focus on the best lagoon experiences (turtles, coral gardens, rays/shipwrecks) to ensure you have a memorable day." No snorkeling in any lagoon, but instead, we had to fill up on gas during the excursion.... which is therefore way too expensive for a simple boat tour.
Ia ora na, Merci d’avoir pris le temps de partager votre expérience. Nous sommes sincèrement désolés que cette sortie n’ait pas répondu à vos attentes. Comme vous le soulignez, l’observation des baleines dépend entièrement de la nature et ne peut jamais être garantie. En revanche, lorsque les baleines ne sont pas au rendez-vous, nous essayons de proposer, lorsque le temps et les conditions le permettent, une expérience alternative de snorkeliing.. Nous comprenons donc parfaitement votre déception de ne pas en avoir bénéficié. En effet, ce jour-là, Teiki et Manutea ont souhaité mettre toutes les chances de votre côté pour observer les baleines et ont choisi de prolonger les recherches en allant plus loin en mer, plutôt que de proposer immédiatement l’alternative de snorkeling. Nous vous présentons également nos excuses pour le plein de carburant effectué pendant l’excursion. Cela n’aurait pas dû empiéter sur votre expérience et ne correspond pas au niveau de service que nous souhaitons offrir. Votre retour nous est précieux et nous a conduits à revoir notre organisation afin que cette situation ne se reproduise pas.. Nous sommes néanmoins heureux que vous ayez apprécié la gentillesse, l’engagement et les explications de Teiki et Manutea. Māuruuru pour votre franchise.
Great time shared between friends and with our great guide!
Merci beaucoup pour votre retour ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez partagé ce superbe moment entre amis et apprécié l’accompagnement de notre guide. Māuruuru roa pour votre confiance !
Superb experience, a mix of fun and seriousness. A very structured supervision that puts us at ease once in the water. I highly recommend.
Merci beaucoup pour votre recommandation ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié cet équilibre entre bonne humeur, professionnalisme et sécurité. Mettre chacun à l’aise, à bord comme dans l’eau, est essentiel pour nous. Māuruuru roa ! 🌺
Gina was so warm and welcoming! She brought some local snacks, drinks and even a flower! Adrian, guide, was very knowledgeable and professional as was our boat captain! Found a couple whales and went snorkeling with the turtles and eagle rays. So special! Communication was wonderful and even picked me up at the Hilton. Highly recommend!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure to welcome you and share these special encounters with the whales, turtles, and eagle rays. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us and the little local touches. Māuruuru roa for your recommendation! 🌺🐋
Very good experience thanks to a passionate and experienced guide. I didn't have the chance to see whales, but the extraordinary opportunity to see melon-headed whales. (Shout-out to the guide) Max
Merci beaucoup Max pour votre retour ! Même si les baleines n’étaient pas au rendez-vous, vous avez eu la chance de vivre une rencontre rare avec des péponocéphales. Nous sommes ravis que l’accompagnement passionné de notre guide ait rendu cette sortie mémorable. Māuruuru roa ! 🌺
We had a great excursion, we didn't see any whales because the season isn't advanced enough, but despite that, we still had a great morning. Our guide was very kind and gave lots of very interesting explanations. The captain fell back on a great snorkeling spot when he understood that we wouldn't be able to see whales. I recommend 100%.
Māuruuru roa François pour votre retour ! Même si les baleines n’étaient pas encore au rendez-vous, nous sommes heureux que vous ayez passé une belle matinée et apprécié les explications de notre guide. Quand la nature décide autrement, notre équipage fait toujours son possible pour proposer une expérience de qualité, comme ce très beau spot de snorkeling. Merci beaucoup pour votre recommandation !
Thanks to the super top providers from start to finish. Safety rules are respected. A truly unforgettable experience I recommend 🥰 everything was perfect
Māuruuru roa pour votre message ! Heureux que l’équipe vous ait accompagné du début à la fin et que nos règles de sécurité vous aient permis de profiter sereinement. Votre recommandation nous touche. Au plaisir de vous revoir !
Passionate captain and guide. We did a bit of cruising around before the whales were spotted by another guide boat, who called our crew to let them know where to steer. (While waiting, we saw spinner dolphins playing around the boat as we left harbor) Once we got into the water, we were able to swim parallel with a mom and juvenile humpback whales. It was incredible! Our guide even heard a whale surfacing behind us. We were just in time to see a third whale join mama and baby, swimming right below us.
Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing this! We’re thrilled you experienced spinners on the way out and such a calm, respectful encounter alongside a mother and juvenile—plus that surprise third whale at the end. We work small-group and regulation-led, and we also coordinate with the professional network on the water to minimize pressure on the animals and give guests quality time when behavior allows. Delighted it all came together for you!
Seeing dolphins, whales and eagle rays has never been so magical. Teiki, so thoughtful and passionate, lives every moment with wonder and transmits this emotion to us with every breath. When a whale pops up or a dolphin dances around the boat, you feel lucky to be there, fully present. He listens to everyone, and sharing a ma’a tahiti with him makes the experience even warmer and more unique. Thanks to it, nature becomes alive, vibrant, and every moment remains etched in the heart.
Māuruuru roa pour ces mots qui nous touchent. Nous sommes heureux que l’esprit du fenua — l’observation respectueuse des animaux marins, petit comité — ait rendu votre journée si spéciale. Merci d’avoir vécu ces instants avec nous, en douceur et sur le rythme de l’océan. Au plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau.
