Whale Tour - Observe and swim with whales
Description
Every year, between July and early November, many marine mammals, including humpback whales, migrate to the Pacific Ocean, and more specifically to French Polynesia. It is one of the only destinations in the world where you can observe them in their natural environment. This is a unique opportunity to admire them. During this excursion we also see bottlenose dolphins, globicles and pelagic sharks. Join us for an unforgettable experience! After whale watching, we finish the tour with a snorkel in the lagoon with pastenague rays and blacktip sharks. This activity takes place on a shallow sandbar in the lagoon, where you can stand because the water only comes to the waist. It is accessible to all ages, without any special physical condition.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Humpback whales, and the different species of dolphin and shark offshore will be observed during sea trips. Our Guide only permits the release of animals after it has been determined that weather conditions and animal behaviour are favourable. Regulations require us to swim long distances to approach animals in complete secrecy. It is mandatory to wear a flotation device. We supply the most suitable lifejackets for snorkeling and comply with regulations. You can wear a neoprene jumpsuit of at least 3mm if you do not wish to wear a vest. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that you will swim with a whale on your excursion. What's wrong? We do not choose to swim with a humpback whale, it is she who chooses to swim with us. It is a wild animal, in the open sea, and weather conditions also have a major impact.
This experience also includes snorkeling in the lagoon with stingrays and reef sharks.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
- Purpose of the outings: The proposed outings are intended for the observation of cetaceans, and when conditions permit, the supervised launching, in strict compliance with the regulations in force in French Polynesia and maritime safety rules. The presence of whales is never guaranteed, as they are wild animals in their natural environment.
- Conditions of participation: Participation in outings is subject to the following conditions. Be in good physical condition. Know how to swim properly. Do not present any medical contraindications to practicing Water Things to do. Strictly follow the instructions of the Captain and Guide. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The tour operator reserves the right to refuse boarding or launching to any person not fulfilling these conditions or exhibiting inappropriate behavior. Prohibited for children under 12 years
- Safety on board: Passenger safety is a top priority. The vessel is equipped in accordance with the maritime regulations in force (lifejackets, safety equipment, means of communication). Passengers agree to remain seated or to stand at designated points during navigation. Do not move without permission. Wear a life jacket if requested by the crew. Follow all safety instructions given on board. Any behaviour that endangers people or equipment may result in a shutdown. immediate exit without refund.
- The tour operator reserves the right to refuse boarding or launching to any person not fulfilling these conditions or exhibiting inappropriate behavior.
- Exits are subject to weather and maritime conditions. The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary, shorten the tour or cancel the tour. This can occur before or during the ride, if conditions become unfavourable. In case of cancellation for weather or security reasons, a postponement will be offered depending on availability. Otherwise, a refund may be made. No additional compensation may be claimed.
- Buoyancy vests and adapted equipment: As part of whale watching and launching trips, the tour operator provides buoyancy vests specifically adapted to whale trips. The tour operator cannot be held liable in the event of an accident resulting from the refusal, misuse or non-wearing of the safety equipment provided.
- The wearing of the buoyancy vest is mandatory for all launches, without exception. These vests are designed to ensure the safety of participants while allowing freedom of movement adapted to whale watching. 3mm neoprene diving suits (short or long) are also allowed as a flotation device.
- Launching (strict rules): Launching is conditioned by the state of the sea, whale behavior, Guide evaluation, regulations in force on the day of the launch. The final decision to launch is the sole responsibility of the Master and Guide. Participants undertake to enter the water only with permission and to respect the distances imposed with animals. Never attempt to touch or chase a whale. Remove from the water immediately upon Guide request. Failure to comply with these rules results in immediate exclusion from launching, without reimbursement.
- Personal effects: The tour operator accepts no responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of your personal belongings. Bringing valuables is strongly discouraged.
- Participation in the outings is at the risk of the participants, within the limits of the applicable regulations. The tour operator cannot be held liable: Unwise behaviour of participants. Failure to comply with safety regulations. Incidents related to the natural environment (waves, currents, wildlife) Physical or material damage resulting from acts beyond its control. Each participant acknowledges that they are aware of the risks inherent in Water and Marine Things to do.
- The tour operator is covered by professional liability insurance in accordance with the legislation in force. Participants are invited to have personal insurance covering Water Things to do.
- Reservation of an outing implies full acceptance of these general conditions. These conditions may be modified at any time and are applicable from the time they are posted on the site.
- As outings take place in the marine environment, participants acknowledge the risk of seasickness. No refund will be granted in case of discomfort, nausea, voluntary abandonment of the trip. It is strongly recommended to take the necessary precautions before boarding (preventive treatment, hydration, rest)
- Do not present any medical contraindications to the practice of water Things to do
Reviews(299)
A truly magnificent tour! Breathtaking to swim with these beautiful giants. Very capable captain and tour guide. Support the tour guide by buying the photography package, you won't regret it!
Whale watching season runs through August to the middle of October anything after that diminishes the chance to see whales in the area drastically… this is what we were told by our guide. There’s a very very very very very small chance to see the whales mid November. Although our guide was great and there’s never a guarantee to find/see the whales we would have appreciated knowing the likelihood of seeing whales at that time of the year are greatly diminished. This was probably the most expensive excursion we’ve ever taken at over 800$. The tour ended up cancelling the full day with lunch tour and changed it to a half day tour with no lunch and only refunding $136.00? We did get to see some dolphins, turtles, stingrays and sharks. The guide even retrieved my husband’s sunglasses, which was amazing. We only went into the water twice, once in the deep blue and once in the shallow. All we did was boat around the island.
Hello, Thank you very much for your feedback. We understand your disappointment. The whale season in French Polynesia usually runs from August to mid-October. From November onwards, the whales start heading back to Antarctica, and the chances of seeing them decrease significantly. However, the exact timing of the season’s end is impossible to predict: some years they stay later, other years they leave earlier. This year, they left a bit earlier than expected. The day before your tour, we were fortunate to swim with a mother whale, her calf, and an escort male — an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, on the day of your tour, there were no whales, and none the next day either. We could not have known in advance, as it all depends entirely on nature. We did a full tour around the island to look for them, not just for fun or a simple boat ride. Our priority is always to give our guests the best possible chance to see whales, even when the season is ending. There are also other providers, some even more expensive than us, and you can still find higher rates elsewhere. The same uncertainties apply to all. We are still glad that you were able to enjoy dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and sharks, and that our guide took good care of you during the excursion. Regarding the tour modification and partial refund, this was due to unforeseen circumstances that made it impossible to run the full-day tour. Thank you again for joining our excursion and for recognizing the efforts of our team.
Enjoy Boat Tours Moorea is a great outfit. They have a great knowledge of the whales, the island, the ocean, and anything else you need to know. We found the whales quickly and we were able to swim with them. I highly recommend them!
This was an excellent experience. They picked us up right on time and it didn’t take long to get out to the whales. Our guide was terrific! And the whales safety comes first.
What an awesome day so beautiful just being on the water! It was the end of the season but we were able to see a whale and her big baby. We got in the water a couple of times which was thrilling. However, mom wanted to keep her baby safe! Our guide and captain were incredible!! A highly recommended adventure!
This was the most magical and breathtaking adventure in my lifetime. We swam with a mother and her baby whale. It was so majestic, I have never seen such beauty. We didn't expect to see a whale and both groups swam with them. Stunning! I bought the video and still can't believe the beauty watching it after returning home. Thank you for a once in a lifetime adventure.
Chasing whales is like herding cats. That said, it was a great excursion. We saw two whales in the water directly below our group. The crew were great, safety was a priority, and worth the money.
First and foremost, folks should know that swimming with whales involves taking a small boat on the open ocean, so be sure to take all precautions to prevent seasickness. Even those of us who don't usually get seasick were feeling a bit ill by the end of the trip. This has nothing to do with the tour company itself, but it's just something for those interested to be aware of. Now onto the review of the experi Regarding the experience with the company itself, we had an excellent experience with an expert guide. The guide had our safety and comfort top of mind throughout the tour. For example, he made sure that we knew how to stay safe if we saw a shark. The guide coordinates with various other boats to maximize our chances of swimming with whales. I would also recommend booking multiple tours to maximize your chances of swimming with whales. He also takes many professional-quality photos and videos of the experience for sale at the end of the tour (approximately $100).
This was a bucket list adventure for sure! For over a decade, we have watched other travel vloggers swim with humpbacks and at long last, we booked this excursion and it did NOT disappoint. Joaquin was an amazing guide and shared great information about the whales even before we set eyes on them. I would come back to Moorea JUST to do this excursion again.
It’s ok. We choose this one since it’s a bit more pricey, guess it could have better service. But upon comparison with other guests’ experience provided by cheaper agencies, everything is exactly the same. Nothing special on this one, truly.
Ia Orana, Thank you for your message. I would like to clarify that our boat is new, comfortable, and one of the luxury boats in Moorea for whale tours. I know that my crew gives 100% for the whale tours, and we provide excellent explanations about the whales — you can also see this in other guests’ reviews. These are not zoo animals, but marine mammals free in their natural environment, all around the world, which we always observe with respect. Sorry, we can’t please everyone. Mauruuru roa 🌺
