SWIM WITH THE WHALES
JOIN OUR FAMOUS HUMPBACK ADVENTURE
This tour will bring you face to face with pelagic cetaceans and sharks, focusing on humpback whale during their annual migration.
Please note: All in water whale swim activities are only permitted from JULY 20 to NOVEMBER 20. Any whale observations before or after are strictly forbidden. Per government regulation, only SIX GUESTS are permitted per tour. This will provide a more intimate and eco-conscious experience for both humans and whales.
PRIVATE CHARTER RATES
$2000 HALF DAY (3-4 HOURS)
$4000 FULL DAY (6-7 HOURS)
Private charters may only be booked by email.
Photo and Video packages are only available on private charters.
YOU CAN EXPERIENCE
various observations of humpback whale encounters; mom and calf, heat runs, singing whales, sleeping whales, playing whales
pelagic interactions with cetaceans including spinner dolphins, rough toothed dolphins, beaked whales, pilot whales
pelagic shark species such as silky sharks or oceanic whitetip sharks
THIS TOUR WILL ONLY FOCUS ON THE PELAGIC ZONE IN SEARCH OF HUMPBACK WHALES. No visit to the lagoon for stingrays/blacktip reef sharks will be made on the whale swim tour. Please join our lagoon focused tour (offered year round) for the shark and ray experience.
Tour Duration ~ 4 hours
05:45-09:45 Sunrise
09:45-13:45 Midday
13:45-17:45 Afternoon
Please note: there are no greater odds or chances based off tour timing for whale encounters. Every day and every hour is different and unpredictable.
Concerning sunrise tours: WHALE SWIMMING IS ONLY ALLOWED FROM 07:30 AM. This sunrise departure gives our boat first-priority access to whales as regulation limits viewing to three boats per whale. On some mornings, whales are found quickly, and guests may need to wait on the boat until in-water entry officially opens at 07:30. On other days, whales are only located after 07:30, in which case waiting is unnecessary. Please note that while sunrise tours provide priority access, you may experience a ~30 minute wait before entering the water.
2026 RATES
$310 USD/person
*this includes: transportation to and from tour, life jacket or wetsuit (or both), fresh fruits, beverages, experienced captain and guide, vessel, and in depth briefing.
SHARK SAFETY
Additionally, our team is expertly trained on shark interactions and preventative safety. This is not a requirement for tour operators, but is something additional we require from all staff. Sharks may be encountered at any time with the whales. Our team are prepared for these scenarios and will brief you on shark behavior and guidelines before entering the water. Please note that if oceanic whitetip sharks are encountered during your tour, immediate focus will be placed on the shark to ensure a calm and safe return to the boat. Although our focus of the tour is humpback whales, please note we cannot “prevent” shark observations.
From July to November, the warm waters of French Polynesia become a sanctuary for the southern hemisphere’s migrating humpback whales. As these giants journey north for their winter breeding season, a portion of the population chooses our islands as their nursery and resting ground. Each season unfolds differently, but consistent sightings typically begin in late July and continue into early November, with the most vibrant activity occurring from mid-August through mid-October.
French Polynesia is one of the rare places on Earth where we are permitted to enter the water and observe humpback whales in their natural environment. With this privilege comes deep responsibility. Our biologist carefully evaluates each whale’s behavior at the surface, and only when it is completely safe and non-disruptive do we invite guests into the water. Protecting the whales’ natural rhythms; their mating displays, maternal care, and migratory movements, is essential for the health of the entire marine ecosystem.
Please note that whale encounters, both in-water and from the boat, are never guaranteed, and in-water interactions may only begin under permit starting July 20th. Our commitment always remains the same: guest safety and absolute respect for the wildlife that calls these waters home.
JOIN OUR LAGOON FOCUSED ‘MOOREA WILDLIFE EXPEDITION’ TO EXPERIENCE THE REEF SHARKS, STINGRAYS, TURTLES, CORAL REEFS, AND VARIOUS SPECIES OF THE LAGOON ECOSYSTEM. WHEN BOOKING THE ‘MOOREA WILDLIFE EXPEDITION’ IN ADDITION TO YOUR ‘WHALE SWIM TOUR’, AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE 30% OFF YOUR MOOREA WILDLIFE EXPEDITION BOOKING.
2026 REGULATIONS FOR HUMPBACK WHALE OBSERVATIONS
WHALE SEASON IS JULY 20 - NOVEMBER 20: THIS IS THE ONLY PERIOD IN WHICH WHALE OBSERVATIONS AND SWIMMING IS PERMITTED
Regulations are subject to change season to season. This is the most current, up to date regulation code of conduct for observing the humpback whales. However, as a company that wishes to promote responsible and respectful ecotourism practices, we choose to adhere to a more sustainable guideline and take measures beyond what is required of us by regulation.
• ONLY THREE BOATS PERMITTED PER WHALE. As tourism continues to grow in Mo’orea and the number of operators increases each year, we want to ensure that respect for the whales is the priority of our operation. We do not wish to add stress, force interactions, or condone harassment of the humpback whales. For this reason we generally do not wait to enter the water with whales already accompanied by 3+ vessels. We also do not pursue whales that are moving quickly trying to move out of the area and away from boats. Humpback whales rely on their energy reserves to make the migration back to Antarctica after their time here in Mo’orea where there are no food resources available to them.
• WHALE SWIMMING IS ALLOWED FROM 07:30 - 17:30 DAILY. This timing does not affect the midday or afternoon tours as tours generally begin the return to land at 17:30 to provide sufficient time for navigating with daylight. However, this regulation DOES impact the morning sunrise tour. The early departure for the sunrise tour allows for boats to have time to find whales and gain priority access to them through the government app system that keeps track of the three boats per whale. This tour offers the advantage of having “first priority” to whales. Some days, the whales are spotted quickly and guests will be required to observe from the boat with registered priority queue in line to enter the water at 07:30. Some days, it takes time to find the whales and this is not relevant if whales are only discovered after 07:30. So please be advised on the sunrise tour you will have priority access BUT you might have to wait 30+ minutes to wait to enter the water at 07:30.
The boat cannot approach the whales closer than 100m (150m for mom and calf). You must swim the remaining distance to the whales. You will not be dropped directly onto the whales. It is a calm, slow paced swim. If you need assistance with the swim our guides can aide you. We also offer floatation devices.
No freediving with the humpback whales. This is to provide the best interaction possible and also to respect the whales. Diving to their depth can be seen as an intimidating gesture to the whales and often will cause them to leave. This regulation is established to not disturb the whales and also to prevent disruption of observation for other observers. The whales hold their breath anywhere from 5-30 minutes and will come to the surface. Patience is key!
No chasing or swimming after the humpback whales. The whales are wild, sentient beings and we cannot force them and will not try to force ourselves into a desired interaction. The whale chooses whether it is feeling curious or playful and if it would like to approach us. Our guides are constantly observing the behavior to place you in the best position to maximize your viewing experience. Trust your guide and remember, you can’t control wildlife!
You must stay with your group and your guide. You cannot venture off on your own with the humpback whales. This is for your safety and the whales.
ONLY SIX PASSENGERS PERMITTED IN WATER, REGARDLESS OF BOAT SIZE
FLOATATION REQUIRED: ALL whale swim guests are required to wear a form of floatation during their experience in the water. French law requires life jackets, but provides exemption for those guests wearing a 3mm wetsuit (minimum shorty, no tops/bottoms only or bikini style). WE HAVE LIFE JACKETS AND 3MM WETSUITS AVAILABLE ON BOARD FOR ALL GUESTS, FREE OF CHARGE.
Please keep in mind that following regulation guidelines and listening to your guide will provide you the best experience possible. The rules given by your guides are not here to limit your fun, but to give you the maximum success! If you want to ensure that you have your dream experience, we recommend joining us for a couple or even a few days to maximize your chances. Wildlife and conditions can be highly variable and each tour is a unique experience.
A percentage of all booking costs are donated to local nonprofits to further conservation and research of sharks and whales in French Polynesia. Thank you for supporting these initiatives by joining our tours.