Meet the giants of the South Pacific
Join Moorea Ocean Adventures to meet the majestic humpback whales on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia. Embark on a private tour, in small groups only, dedicated to observing and entering the water with these cetaceans. The whales are only present from July to November, and this activity is in high demand, so be sure to book several months in advance.
Moorea’s warm and clear waters make our island one of the best destinations for observing and, especially, swimming with humpback whales. French Polynesia has been a marine mammal sanctuary since 2002; the 20 species of whales and dolphins recorded there are fully protected.
Join us and support humpback whale conservation and research; all our observations are carefully recorded and contribute to the Observatory of Emblematic Marine Species managed by the French Polynesia Environment Agency.
WHALE WATCHING AND SWIMMING
July to November
Humpback whales are seasonal visitors to Moorea. These giants of the sea can be encountered from July to November, which corresponds to their breeding and calving season. Humpback whales can then be observed in the ocean during epic chases between males and females, during males’ singing, or during calves’ learning with their mothers. When it comes to whale watching and swimming, we are pleased to offer the most comprehensive private tours in Moorea, with an 80-90% sighting rate between August and October.
Moorea is one of the only places on the planet where it is possible to swim with humpback whales. For many of our guests, meeting the whales in the crystal-clear, warm waters is the experience of a lifetime. Join us during peak season to swim with these lords of the ocean! For us, an underwater encounter with humpback whales can only be particularly successful and carried out safely if it meets certain essential conditions, notably a small number of clients not exceeding 6 people. If you add to this the presence of guides who have accumulated several hundred encounters with whales in Moorea, you can be assured of the high quality of the services provided during our private tours!
BE WHALE-RESPONSIBLE
Respect is key!
When you join the Moorea Ocean Adventures team to swim with the whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans of Polynesia, you embark on a private tour led by our team of captains and naturalist guides. Together, they will share their experience and knowledge to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.
However, we cannot guarantee that we will encounter and swim with whales and dolphins on every tour. We must take into consideration weather conditions, animal behavior, and the abilities of our guests. The decisions we make are primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of those on board and ensuring an activity that is part of sustainable and responsible tourism. As strong supporters of the conservation and protection of marine species, we ask our guests to understand why working with an animal-friendly approach is key to our business. Many of our guests travel the long way to Moorea for the opportunity to swim with humpback whales. To increase your chances of a beautiful underwater encounter with the whales, it is possible and recommended (especially in July and November) to book two or three tours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWiA_a0Co_U
TOUR OPTIONS
Our service
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Boat accomodates 1 to 6 guests
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A 4h tour on the Falcon 650
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Naturalist guide or Marine Biologist
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4K edited video of your tour (raw footage not included)
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Beverages included
Openings
Everyday, from July 20th to November 10th
Hours
Morning tour : 7:30 – 11:30
Afternoon tour : 1:00– 5:00
Rates
1 to 2 guests : 900 US$
3 to 6 guests : 950 US$
The rates correspond to the total amount for the private tour, not the price per person.
Our service
-
Boat accomodates 1 to 6 guests
-
A 8h tour on the Falcon 650
-
Naturalist guide or Marine Biologist
-
4K edited video of your tour (raw footage not included)
-
Beverages included
-
Lunch not included: You can bring your own sandwiches or we can take you to a snack bar by the sea for your lunch break.
Openings
Everyday, from July 20th to November 10th
Hours
7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Rates
1 to 2 guests : 1500 US$
3 to 6 guests : 1600 US$
The rates correspond to the total amount for the private tour, not the price per person.
Our Recommendations
Swimming with whales means swimming in the deep blue ocean. This type of snorkeling is more challenging than snorkeling in the lagoon or near the reef, and we sometimes have to swim through waves or ocean currents. Approach rules also require us to swim approximately 200 meters to approach the animals. This activity can therefore be quite physical.
To ensure optimal safety conditions, we require our guests to be able to swim effectively without the aid of a life jacket or flotation device. We also require our guests to know how to use fins, a mask, and a snorkel effectively. The open ocean is definitely not a place to learn to swim or snorkel!
Access restrictions for this tour
For the safety of our guests, we do not accept guests with neck or back injuries, guests who have recently undergone surgery, or guests weighing more than 130 kg. For the whale watching tour, we do not accept on board children under 10 years old, pregnant women over 5 months old and people who do not understand French or English (for safety reasons related to understanding the briefing).
Photo credits: Mohea Moana, Joaquin Fregoni, Caine Delacy, Robert King, Alexandre Fellous, Brad Booth, Peter Wilcox, Mai Manceau
