Aitutaki Humpback Tours 2024

We get asked this question frequently in all our locations. It’s a difficult answer, as the humpbacks (and other species of whales & dolphins) are in Aitutaki for the 3 months of the breeding season – early July to mid-October – in numbers. We see and swim with humpbacks every day – except when the weather is very rainy and windy and that happens only 1 or 2 days each year. We just go out for a full day with the whales on another day, if this happens. We only operate on dates that we absolutely know through experience, the whales are around beautiful Aitutaki.

 You need to fly Internationally to Rarotonga (RAR – airport code) the capital, on the main island of Cook Islands. The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific between Tonga and Tahiti (French Polynesia)

Rarotonga Airport is both an international and domestic airport. We recommend you get enough local currency (New Zealand dollar) for your time with us  on arrival in Rarotonga. There is an ATM at the international airport and  in the main town of  Aitutaki. 

Mobile SIM cards are available at the international airport – we recommend that you get a local SIM card for local calls for booking restaurants and taxis etc ) 

Getting to Aitutaki
By Air – Air Rarotonga – the local airline, had 4 or 5 flights a day to/from Aitutaki.  www.airrarotonga.com PLEASE BOOK YOUR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AS SOON AS YOU BOOK YOUR TOUR! Its the high tourist season plus the locals use it like a bus! 
Its a fun 55- minute flight with locals laughing and joking and they even serve small bottles of New Zealand wine on the flight! 

Visa Information:
Please check visa information before you book at 

Flight Information: 

Look for special deals on these airlines:
From Australia & New Zealand: www.cheapoair.com www.expedia.com.au or www.iwantthatflight.com

From UK, Europe, Canada & USA: www.expedia.com or www.skyscanner.com

• Air Rarotonga from Tahiti www.airrarotonga.com
• Hawaiian Airlines www.hawaiianairlines.com from Honolulu
• Qantas www.qantas.com.au (from all major cities in Australia)
• Jetstar www.jetstar.com.au (Qantas’s economy airline from Australia and New Zealand)
• Air New Zealand from
  Australia www.airnewzealand.com.au
  NZ www.airnewzealand.co.nz
  USA www.airnewzealand.com

This is an open ocean adventure holiday . . . 

• You need above-average fitness and agility in the water.
• Above average snorkelling skills
• To be comfortable and confident snorkelling in very deep water in the open ocean, for 50 – 100 metres (sometimes in big swells).
• You need to be able to get your fins/mask & snorkel on quickly when requested by the crew.
• You must be able to and slide quietly off the side of the boat and get yourself back on the boat unassisted.
• Good quality, well fitting and reliable snorkelling gear that fits your face and feet perfectly (fins 1/2 size bigger is better – no blisters are caused!) – which includes: full foot long fins ONLY,  – personally-fitted mask and snorkel.
• A wetsuit or a neoprene vest or top. You may also consider dive leggings and to protect you from the sun and occasional, little stingers in the water, Shark Skin garments to keep you warm if you are prone to getting cold when you are wet, in and out of the water each day.

Although humpback whales are 12 -15 metres long and weigh about 40 ton, they are gentle animals and are very aware of us in the water. They will even drop their 5m long pectoral fin or turn their tail fluke to avoid us as they swim by. The calves are sometimes very curious and they often seem to love to be around us.  The thought of being so close to them may be frightening ­but after your first encounter you will understand why they are known as the gentle giants of the sea.

If you feel that your swimming and snorkelling skills is not up to the level we require, or that you are a little unfit, we suggest that you enrol in snorkelling lessons and improve your swimming skills and fitness levels prior to joining your tour to insure the best encounters possible.

Your level of skill and confidence will determine whether our Skipper/Guide will allow you in the water with the whales. 

It is TOP PRIORITY to have good snorkeling gear. See below

Air & water temperature is average 24c – 27C  

Please note: You cannot hire or buy reliable snorkellng gear in Aitutaki.

Safety is our No. 1 priority at all times. As you can be in the water for a considerable time each day, your snorkeling gear needs to be comfortable and safe and support you in making your encounters with the whales easy!

If you feel the cold – then we highly recommend a 3mm steamer (full) wetsuit (even in Tahiti!), will also protect you from the sun.
If you already have your favorite snorkeling gear – then please bring it with you to Tahiti.
There are a few cheap plastic snorkels, masks and fins available on Moorea, but they break easily and make blisters.

PLEASE NOTE: FOR YOUR SAFETY we ask you to wear a buoyant wetsuit or vest PLUS your mask, fins and snorkel at all times when snorkeling with the whales on any WhaleSwim Adventure tour

You will need:

• comfortable mask & snorkel – semi-dry top and self-purging is preferable so you are not constantly blowing water out of your snorkel. (but not with totally dry’ style with the ball in the top – the ball can jam shut, making breathing difficult! ) Please have your mask ‘fitted’ correctly at the store – all masks are different and all face shapes are different. Remember, this gear is the very reason you are booking our tour! Please choose a black or dark blue, red or dark grey masks – NOT clear masks as they tend to create reflection off the surface of the water.
• comfortable pair of full foot long fins, do not buy them too tight or you will get blisters. Make sure you have a bit of movement in them. (NOT fins that you need to wear neoprene booties with.) You have to keep your fins below the surface of the water when snorkeling (prevents noise and water disturbance that spooks the whales) and this is difficult if you are wearing booties that float. If you want to protect your feet/heels from blistering in your full-foot fins, then the nylon/spandex skin socks (https://www.finisswim.com/Skin-Socks)
  For large feet (up to size 16) – we recommend https://www.leisurepro.com/p-scpfg/scubapro-go-travel-fin
• buoyancy – its safer and easier to be still in the water around the whales wearing a buoyant garment – like a neoprene vest or t-shirt or a wetsuit (short or long – depending on whether you feel the cold). It will keep you afloat on the surface without any effort and allows free movement in the water.
• a Lycra top (Rashie) or suit or a Sharkskin top will keep you warm if you tend to feel the cold easily and for protection from the sun while you are on the boat. (optional)
• If you are bringing a Go-Pro – short handle pole is the best!  – a headstrap doesnt work and a long-pole is not permitted!

This is what we recommend

Wetsuit/Neoprene Vest

It is NOT compulsory to wear buoyancy gear when snorkeling with the whales in TAHITI, however you are snorkeling in very deep water and for safety sake we very strongly recommend that you do. A spring suit or shortie wetsuit should be fine or, if you feel the cold, we recommend bringing a full length 2 – 2.5mm wetsuit. You can also hire one of our WhaleSwim Neoprene Snorkel Vests – BUT we only have a few sizes available in Tahiti. You can oder a hire-vest in our booking priocess.

We recommend bringing a pair of dive/snorkel leggings (optional) – (photo left) to protect you from any little stingers that may be in the water. Good sun protection too. Check out: https://www.scubadivingaddicts.com/collections/leggings or https://waterlust.com/leggings or in Australia https://www.ningalooswimwear.com/collections/leggings (made from re-cycled plastic bottles) also a rashie top to cover your arms.

The water temperature is between 25 – 27C BUT as you are getting in and out of the water frequently, and it can be windy in the afternoons, you may feel cold at times. We find it easier to keep your vest/wetsuit on – it not only protects you from both the sun and the wind, but getting in and out of them constantly is time consuming (most times you will need to get ready quickly) – and a pain in the neck! The other garmnent if you feel the cold  – is a Sharkskin long-sleeved zip-up top – photo on right.

We DO NOT recommend

• the ‘total dry’ style of snorkel with the ball in the top – the ball can jam shut, making breathing difficult!
• the new Full-face style mask/snorkels. They often constantly fog up and leak in choppy water and, while they might work for a leisurely snorkel over a reef, they do not work well when snorkeling at top speed in deep, sometime choppy water.
• Open-back dive fins and neoprene boots. You have to keep your fins below the surface of the water when snorkeling (prevents noise and water disturbance that spooks the whales) and this is difficult if you are wearing booties that float.
• short travel fins for snorkeling many dive shops advise them – do not buy these, they will not give you the speed or strength in the water that you will need. Dive shop staff have rarely snorkeled with whales!
• Free-diving fins and boots unless you are an experienced free-diver!
• Long pole selfie stick for your Go Pro! These are banned on out boat and in the water with whales . they get in the photos and the face of other guests and other guests can snorkel into them.

Full-face mask!                      Dive fins and booties!            Short snorkeling fins!       Dry snorkel with the ball in the top   Go-Pro Long selfie pole

We send you a very detailed list of what to bring in your Trip Preparation Bulletin, which is send to you in May.

Rarotonga

There are wonderful AirBNB, hotel and resort properties all over Rarotonga (if you are lucky enough to find availability as it is New Zealand’s favourite destination during their southern-hemisphere  winter!)  Search www.booking.com for deals – then check with the property direct to see if they have a better deal.

I have stayed for an overnight at Edgewater Resort & Spa – 10 mins for the airport, buffet breakfast included. There are buses that circle the island every 40 mins – you get on and off as you please. The currency in New Zealand dollars, so make sure you have some on arrival.  

Aitutaki

There is a variety of accommodation on Aitutaki, but remember its a small island and accommodation is limited. You may want to consider  arriving early or staying on after the tour, at Taha’e Resort Hotel or are also holiday homes, beach bungalows/villas, AirBnb’s, basic beach shacks to luxury resorts. If you want some luxury, Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Tamanu Beach Resort are on the north-west coast and near the main town and the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort is on its own small island on the glorious blue lagoon.   Check online for a deal! 

Our tours are small and cater for a maximum of 10 guests only.
Our whaleswim boat is licensed t0 carry 18 people including crew, so plenty of room. 12 in the water at one time is fine as it’s about the way we behave around the whales that matters. We train you on Day 1 on the ‘how to’ so the rest of your days in the water are safe for both humans and whales!  This means that you are in the water with the whales every time and you will have the opportunity for many in-the-water encounters during our 4 – 4.5 hours on the water with the whales, over the 6 or 8 days. You will have time to enjoy the incredible up-close surface action too. Minimum age is 18 years old.

We know that the best whaleswims are respectful ones. If we take care around them and understand the incredible privilege that it is to be with them in their world we are often able to experience extended encounters. The whales decide and when they trust us they stay often stay longer. Staying together and still in the water allows the whales to begin to trust us.
We offer package tours with 6 or 8 days on the water because we know that being out for multiple days with the same group of people allows you to learn how to best be with the whales and it allows us to maximise your chances of amazing encounters. We also make sure that we only use the best boat and have the best skipper and guide.

A good whale-watching skipper knows that the best way to get great encounters is to take the time to let the whales get used to the boat and for the swimmers to be an un-intrusive as possible. 

If you are coming all the way to Aitutaki, you need to give yourself as many days as you can to experience being with the whales. Just a little warning though… swimming with them is really addictive.

Whale season in Aitutaki is early July through to mid-October. Most days are sunny; a few days are cloudy, the odd day is rainy and windy. The weather is warm, but you’ll want to bring a wind jacket to keep you comfortable on the boat if we head around the island to the west – north west sides. Water temperature is around 25+C  (77+F).
Aitutaki is the only island in the Cook’s for in-water encounters with humpback whales as the humpback population, mate and give birth on this latitude.

Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they don’t like divers’ bubbles, it’s is unsafe on SCUBA.
Free diving is only permitted during certain encounters, when the guide allows it.

We will go out and swim with the whales in most conditions, the weather and seas don’t affect the whales at all but Onu, our skipper will deck-ide if it is safe for us to be in the water and able to safely board the boat in rough seas. . Our boat is extremely comfortable with a large area shaded from the sun. Its easy access to the water (either slide off the side or go down our ladder and to use the ladders to ascend the boat. 

1. Online ‘Book your Tour’ reservations will be held for 14 days. The non-refundable deposit of  AUD$2,000.00 is required within 14 days to confirm a reservation. 
2. Payment (Australian Dollars, NZ dollars, USD, GBP or  Euros only) in full is required 70 days prior to your WhaleSwim Adventure and is non-refundable. 
3. A Liability Waiver must be signed by each guest & returned to our office within 14 days of booking & uploaded onto your Aqua Abilities page in your online booking, within 14 days of booking your WhaleSwim Adventure tour.
4. Re-scheduling and substitution of guests is permitted with approval of /WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd.
5. A Liability Waiver must be signed by each guest
6. Travel insurance is mandatory for all our WhaleSwim Adventures guests and should be taken out at the time of booking.  Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. It must also cover trip and flight cancellations. We also strongly recommend it also covers curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide WhaleSwim Adventures with proof of your travel insurance and upload it on your Aqua Abilities page in your online booking, within 14 days of booking your tour; you will not be able to join the tour without it.
7. All rates and conditions are subject to change.
8. If payments are not received at the designated times, WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd, reserves the right to sell those spaces in question with forfeiture of all monies to date.
9. The booking is binding and all payments are non-refundable after 1 June of the year of your tour.
10. Prices may change due to; * currency fluctuations & suppliers rate increases*, even after payment is made in full, clients will have to pay the additional cost. * schedule or content changes * circumstances beyond the control of WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd
11. These are ecological holidays, WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd reserves the right to ask any participants to leave the group should he/she behave in a way that is insensitive to the whales, the environment, local people, our staff, crew or other group members or continually not follow the whaleswim Guides directions in the water with the whales, WhaleSwim Adventures staff and management also reserve the right to move those guests to other accommodation at the guests expense. No refund will be given.
12. Please read Aquatic Abilities (Experience Required section):
    Tahiti: whaleswim.com/humpbacks-in-aitutaki/
13. Free-diving with humpback whales is only permitted with permission of the boat skipper

13. Drones are ONLY be used with permission of the boat skipper & our Tour Leader.
14. Smoking is NOT permitted on the Bubbles Below vessel.
15. Touching the whales or other marine mammals, is not permitted on our tours.
16. In the event of cancellation of a whale-watching 1/2-day due to bad weather, we will do our best to add another 1/2-day for you, if time permits otherwise no refunds will be offered by WhaleSwim Adventures.
17. Children/teenagers under 18 years old are not accepted on our tours (Unless all spaces are booked by the family or a group of friends).
18. If the minimum bookings of 8 people on our 10-person tours is not reached 80 days prior to departure of each expedition, WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd has the right to cancel the expedition and transfer guests to another expedition. Any airfares booked/changed and paid for by the guest should be covered by their travel insurance.