Swim with humpback whales in Tahiti
flights arrive at Papeete - then a 11-minute flight on Air Tahiti or a 20 minute ferry trip to the island of Moorea - we transfer to our hotel.
Description of Swim with humpback whales in Tahiti
There can be few other exotic adventures that stand up to a week or nine days of whale watching in Tahiti. This really is as exciting as it sounds with responsible whale watching paramount to creating a successful and enjoyable experience for both animals and travellers.
As you’ll be based on a French Polynesian island you’ll get to experience life both on land and at sea with the island of Moorea – just off Tahiti’s main island – inviting authentic adventures as you explore on foot and by catamaran.
Traditional French Polynesian thatched bungalows offer ample opportunities to enjoy evenings on dry land before embarking on daily adventures at sea where you’ll get to swim with whales without interfering with their natural habits or environment.
July through to October provides the best time to see female humpback whales swimming in Tahiti as they give birth to calves within protected French Polynesian waters. This time of year is simply mesmerising and certain to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see young whale families close up and from the safest perspective possible.
Meeting the crew of your catamaran each and every morning on the beach is a great experience and getting to know the crew, the skipper and other members of your small group of travellers really adds to the adventure of swimming with whales in the wild. We’re committed to keeping whales safe and protected with the expert eye of your skipper Maire Temau'u ensuring the environment and the animals are just as secure and unharmed as passengers.
Not only will you be observing whales in the company of the catamaran’s skipper and crew but you’ll also be accompanied by a leading group leader and whale watching guide, Nessta Jones. Nessta is an avid marine-life watcher and has been swimming with marine mammals in different destinations around the world for many years. Nessta joined our Team for 2024 after being an amazing guest in 2022.
Whale watching catamaran expeditions will start either early or around midday with four amazing hours spent in close proximity to the whales prior to returning to Moorea for afternoon and evening activities and entertainment. This whale watching experience is for small groups looking to spend seven or nine days in Tahiti. Most meals, accommodation and boat trips are included. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
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flights arrive at Papeete - then a 11-minute flight on Air Tahiti or a 20 minute ferry trip to the island of Moorea - we transfer to our hotel.
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Reviews
2 Reviews of Swim with humpback whales in Tahiti
Reviewed on 29 Oct 2018 by Sue Thomas
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The respect given to these amazing animals by the local guides. If a mother whale was swimming away from us with her calf, at no time was there a chase to get nearer. We simply left mother and calf and moved on to see if we could find other whales to observe and swim with. Local guides and crew were so professional and hospitable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Leave the GoPros and underwater cameras on the boat. Swim with the whales and experience the moment for what its worth. Spend a day or two either side of the tour. Moorea has a lot to offer in terms of hikes, quad biking and other activities on the island.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An incredible experience - a wonderful opportunity to swim with such amazing animals.
Reviewed on 20 Sep 2018 by Nicola Dinnage
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Getting to swim so close to the whales and other wildlife
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check your snorkel doesn’t leak before you go!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The lodges are all eco friendly and the guides very aware of the rules around conservation going above and beyond to ensure the guests and wildlife
had a safe and enjoyable experience
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An amazing, life transforming experience
Responsible Travel
Planet
Our clients are informed on the need to adhere strictly to our waste disposal policies during their time in French Polynesia. This is to insure that they do nothing to disturb or change the balance in the eco-system.We have our own environmentally friendly water bottles with we refill each day with UV sterilised rainwater for drinking each day for our guests .
Local communities and schools are constantly reminded and educated on the need to protect and preserve their culture and the environment as to continually attract tourism.
We adhere to strict guidelines when observing the whales and we collect humpback whale I.D. photos on our vessel each season to support the ongoing research and conservation of the South Pacific Humpback whales.
We do not print information brochures, all our information is on our website where information can be downloaded if and when required. All paper in our offices is recycled and we refrain from accepting plastic bags or wrapping whenever possible.
To always rent and electric vehicle for the 82 days of the season and share that vehicle among the team.
People
To honour and contribute to supporting the local communities socially, economically, environmentally, we believe in the training and retraining of staff and volunteers alike to ensure that they are acquainted with contemporary issues involved in providing safe, informative, educative, life changing and sustainable tourism.We only work with local suppliers who strictly adhere to the 'Whale-watching Guidelines of French Polynesia' - that cause little or no negative impact on the humpback whales in the area.
We encourage our guests to interact with our boat crew, the local families during the traditional Tahitian feast and cultural centre, staff at resorts and on any village visits or events where this is possible.
We only recommend locally owned craft stores, restaurants, dive, day tours & activities companies and encourage our guests to visit local schools with books, stationery and gifts we suggest they bring.
Our Mission:
To increase awareness of the importance of conservation of our marine mammals through groups of people directly experiencing the underwater world of the whales and dolphins for themselves and by supporting research projects around the world.
Our eco-tours take place only in certain areas of our oceans (away from commercial tourism), where these encounters are guided by local trained and experienced naturalists insuring that we have the least impact these intelligent mammals as possible and that the whales are honoured and respected at all times and not harassed or invaded in any way.
To extend an invitation to others who are touched by whales and dolphins to join us on our guided encounters, and have the opportunity to personally experience these extraordinary mammals in the wild and realise the vital importance of their survival and the tragic effect their extinction would have on our planet.
To contribute to our oceans becoming a safe place for all marine mammals to continue to live and breed.
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