Tahiti Humpback Tours 2024

To see more photos and videos – go to www.mooreasunsetbeach.com

Beach Bungalows: (1 only)
1 Bedroom with queen bed & air-conditioning + a mezzanine floor with double bed with a fan + a sofa bed in the living area, they are equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom and separate WC, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace. Beach-front and just a few metres from the beach and lagoon.

Oceanview Bungalows:  (1 only – same as Beach Bungalows in next row) 
1 Bedroom with queen bed & air-conditioning + a mezzanine floor with double bed with a fan + a sofa bed in the living area, they are equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom and separate WC, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace. Just a few metres from the beach and lagoon. Just 15m from the beach and lagoon.

Deluxe Garden Bungalows: (2 only)
1 Bedroom with queen bed & air-conditioning + a mezzanine floor with queen bed and air-conditioning! + a sofa bed in the living area, they are equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom and separate WC, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace. 50m + from the beach and lagoon. 

Garden Suites: (2 only)
1 Bedroom with queen bed & air-conditioning + a sofa bed in the living area, they are all equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom and separate WC, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace with a view of a tropical garden.  Just 30 m from the beach and lagoon.

Executive Two-bedroom Suites: (1 only)
2 Bedrooms with queen beds & air-conditioning, 2 bathrooms and and an extra toilet + a sofa bed in the living area.
They are equipped with a kitchen, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace with a view of a tropical garden.  Just 30m from the beach and lagoon.

Garden Bungalows: (2 only)
1 Bedroom with queen bed & air-conditioning + a mezzanine floor with double bed with a fan + a sofa bed in the living area, they are equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom and separate WC, a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer, a living room with TV, and a furnished terrace. 50m + from the beach and lagoon. 

• Our aim is to take you on the fullest and best whale-swimming experience possible – not fleeting glimpses
• We love the whales and are passionate about what we do.
• We know that the best encounters are respectful ones.
• We know that you will want more than a fleeting glimpse of these magnificent beings.
• We take care of the detail! Making sure your whole experience with us is the best possible.
• We know that immersing yourself in many different whale encounters over a minimum of 6 or 8 x  4 – 4.5 hour trip out with the whales is the very best way to experience this very intimate and profound privilege.
• AND  . .  know that once you have swum with them, once you have looked in the eye of a whale, you will want to do it again and again.

We get asked this question frequently. It’s a difficult answer, as the humpbacks (and other species of whales & dolphins) are in Moorea for the 3 months of the breeding season – early August to end of October – in numbers. The only thing I have noticed is, we seem to have more whales around for the beginning and the end of the season as they arrive together and gather together for the big swim back to the Antarctic early in November. Most people assume that the middle of the season is best, but that has not been my experience. 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 Moorea.

To join your WhaleSwim Adventure, you need to fly Internationally to Papeete, the capital on the main island of Tahiti in French Polynesia (Fa’a’ā International Airport – code PPT)

Faa’a Airport is both an international and domestic airport.

We recommend you get enough local currency for your time with us on Moorea on arrival. There is a money changer and several ATM’s in the airpoirt and in the main town of Moorea.

Mobile SIM cards are available at the aiport (business hours only)

Transfers to Ferry terminal or your hotel in Papeete
Here are the contact details: Herenui Tetauru at Tahiti Transport Ptives  reservation@tahititransportsprives.com   Tel: + (689) 87 71 84 08   They will be waiting with your name on a sign as your exit Customs. Its 15 mins to the ferry unless its rush-hour. There is a cafe on the first floor from the ticket office – right by the entrance to boarding the ferry. 

Getting to Moorea
There are 2 ways to get to Moorea from the main island of Tahiti. Both are easy, as Moorea is just 17km away for the main island of Tahiti.

By fast Ferry – a 20 min journey from the ferry building on the waterfront in down-town Papeete. – here is the link to the website for www.aremiti.net OR Click here to download a ferry schedule. There is free 1-hour wifi and a cafe aboard with snacks and light meals as well as coffee and drinks. If you are lucky, you may see a few humpback whales on the way!

By Air – Air Tahiti operates several flights daily to Moorea and other island of French Polynesia.Its a 11 minute flight from Papeete airport to Moorea – short and sweet! You have beautiful views of both islands on your quick flight!

Visa Information:
We include visa information in our Trip Preparation Bulletin that we send you after your tour booking has been confirmed with a deposit.

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 Tahiti Nui  www.airtahitinui.com from Australia, NZ, USA
• French Bee  (from San Francisco only) https://pf.frenchbee.com/fr
• Hawaiian Airlines www.hawaiianairlines.com One return weekly flight – Saturday
• United Airlines  www.united.com
• American Airlines www.americanairlines.com
• Qantas www.qantas.com.au
• Air New Zealand from
  Australia www.airnewzealand.com.au
  NZ www.airnewzealand.com.au
  USA www.airnewzealand.com
•  Air France www.airfrance.fr
• Japan Airlines
• Korean Airlines
• Aircalin
• TGVAir

This is an open ocean adventure holiday . . . 

• You need above-average fitness and agility in the water.
• Good snorkeling skills
• To be comfortable and confident snorkeling in very deep water in the open ocean, for 50 – 200 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 get yourself off and on the boat unassisted.
• Good quality, well fitting and reliable snorkeling gear that fits your face and feet perfectly – which includes: full foot long fins,  – personally-fitted mask and snorkel.
• A wetsuit or a neoprene vest or top. You may also consider dive leggings and s to protect you from the sun and occasional, little stingers, Shark Skin garments to keep you warm, 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 – 26C  

Please note: You cannot hire reliable snorkelng gear in Moorea.

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.

Hiring a WhaleSwim Front Zip Neoprene Vest: (photo right). You can hire these from us for AUD$30 for your tour. The vest hire must be pre-arranged so add this to your online WhaleSwim account. Please make sure you add your size to the order. PLUS to make sure we have the perfect fit – please email your chest/waist/hip measurements to rae@whaleswim.com

PLEASE NOTE: We DO NOT have our vests for sale in Tahiti as we only carry the small amount of hire stock there. We have a limited range of sizes of vests for hire and will do our very best to make sure you have the correct size for you. Your vest will be ‘fitted’ on the Welcome dinner, to make sure it fits snugly.

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.

Pape’ete

We recommend: 

Hotel Kontiki Tahiti (extra accommodation here, can be booked with your tour booking!)

An eco-friendly boutique hotel in the heart of Papeete, located in front of the Quay ferries on the waterfront.  This unique can offer an enchanted oasis to enjoy all Tahiti has to offer. Built on several levels, it offers a range of rooms and apartments, mixing authenticity and modernity. It echo, nay=ture, the culture and good living.
This lovely hotel has recently been beautiful modernised and upgraded to a ’boutique-style accommodation and offer several levels of a rooms and apartments, catering for all budgets.
Perfect for those late night arrivals or early morning departures! A quick transfer from/to Faa’a International Airport late at night or early morning (very little traffic). Perfect to relax and have breakfast, a short 100m walk to the ferry to Moorea.
Once you have booked your tour, you can add the xtra nights you require to your online booking. 
Please make sure you book as early as possible rooms here were hard to get after May.

Other choices in Papeete . . . . .

Hotel Tahiti Nui

In the heart of downtown Papeete, right by shops and restaurants, Hotel Tahiti Nui offers 44 rooms and 47 most comfortable and modern suites.Hotel Tahiti Nui strives to you any service you may expect from an international hotel with competitive rates. Great breakfast too!
Nearby the Market, shops, movie theatres and other Papeete downtown attractions. 8 min walk to the ferry terminal.
A few walk from the shorefront and the pier, this hotel is just the ideal stop between two islands. Enjoy the open-sky pool, relax at the fitness center or eventually let yourself go for a delightful massage at the Dhana Spa.
Website is www.airtahitinui.com or search in www.trivago.com for the best rate.

 Tahiti Airport Motel

Located in front of Tahiti Faa’a International Airport. It looks like it walking distance but its all uphill – best to book South Pacific Tranfers to accommodation as well as the next morning to the ferry terminal.
It’s a clean, comfortable place that has standard rooms (singles, doubles or twins) rooms and one adapted to the people with reduced mobility. All rooms are soundproofed, equipped with air conditioning, television, tea/coffee, fridge and Wi-Fi internet connection and all rooms and corridors are non-smoking. Tahiti Airport Motel has an elevator. They provide other services such as very simple free-breakfast, luggage storage.  Go to Website: http://tahitiairportmotel.net for more information
To book –  go to  www.trivago.com for a choice of online booking websites -which shows the the best deals online!

Papeete:
You will need to book your airport transfer to your Papeete accommodation or to the ferry terminal prior to arrival. The transfer company we use is easy and reliable – they will be waiting just outside the exit from customs with a white board with your name on it.  Contact Herenui Tetauru at Tahiti Transport Prives reservation@tahititransportsprives.com Tel: + (689) 87 71 84 08 and book your transfer to your hotel or ferry terminal in Papeete
While in the airport – get some local currency at the ATM or money-changer (turn right out of Customs and walk 30 meters to the ATM.)

Moorea: Our favorite Taxi Driver, Jo Faua!
Your airport/ferry transfers are included in your tour price and we will make sure that Jo, our taxi driver is waiting for you on the arrival time entered into your booking. However, if you arrive on a different ferry or flight and we have not been informed early enough to contact Jo, your transfer will be at your expense. Please remember, they prefer checking into the Moorea Beach Lodge after 1.00 pm each day, as your room may not be cleaned and ready for you.

Extra nights before and after your tour?

Moorea Sunset Beach Beach 

This is the fabulous accommodation you are staying at for your tour in Moorea!
If you are arriving early for your tour or staying longer, you can book extra nights in your booking process.

The Moorea Sunset Beach is just 10-15 mins walk to the village of Hauru and 2 cafes for lunch and the 3 of the best restaurants in the area. Most restaurants on Moorea provide a free pick/drop-off service every evening.

You can book with reception for a Beach Buggy to tour around the island and have lunch at Snack Mahana (best lunch cafe on Moorea), and all other activities on Moorea and they will pick you up from the Sunset.

If you want to book other accommodation in the area – make sure you add Faa’a Airport in Papeeete or Hauru in Moorea. We also recommend Taoahere Guest House (if you are lucky enough to find availablity!) 

Our tours are small and cater for a maximum of 10 guests only.
French Polynesian Whale-watching Regulations allow more than 15 people including crew on the boat and we have 10 people plus guide in the water with the whales at any one time, but through our 21 years of experience around humpback whales, it doesn’t matter if there are 4 or 15 people in the water at one time, it’s about the way we behave around the 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.
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. Our Tahitian ‘whale-whisperer’, skipper and guide, Maire Tem’auu, has been taking people in the water with whales for 22 years, he has a very deep respect. He is the best guide  we have worked with for 20+ years!

We can do this because we have the time to teach our guests the best way to be with the whales in the water and we have multiple days to swim with them. It is harder for the day trip boats because they usually speed up to the whales, drop 15 – 25 people all in the water at the same time, all scrabbling over each other to be in the front, which can very easily spook the whales. Therefore, they have limited time and are under pressure to deliver the swims so the swims can be fleeting.

If you are coming all the way to Moorea, Tahiti 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 Moorea is mid-August through to late November. 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).
Moorea is the best place in French Polynesia for in-water encounters with humpback whales as many of the humpback population, mate and give birth on this latitude.

Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they don’t like divers’ bubbles, and it’s hard to keep up with whales on SCUBA.
The topography of the island (very high mountains!) allows us to work in most conditions, as the west side of the island is sheltered from the prevailing winds.

Our boat is extremely comfortable with a large area shaded from the sun. Its easy access to the water and the sturdy ladder – with wide steps – allows easy ascending onto the boat.

We explore the beautiful lagoon for dolphins and abundant marine life that inhabit the waters around the Moorea. We head back to your accommodation in time for a hot shower, lunch or to relax and watch the exquisite sunset before dinner.

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. (If booked prior to the 1 February of the year of the tour – a nonrefundable deposit of AUD$500 is required within 14 days and the balance of the deposit to be paid by 1 February prior to the tours departure date.)
2. Payment (Australian Dollars only) in full is required 80 days prior to your WhaleSwim Adventure and is non-refundableRe-scheduling and substitution of guests is permitted with approval of WhaleSwim Adventures Ltd.
3. A Liability Waiver must be signed by each guest & returned to our office within 14 days of booking your WhaleSwim Adventures tour.
4. Re-scheduling and substitution of guests is permitted with approval of /WhaleSwim Adventures.
5. A Liability Waiver must be signed by each guest & uploaded onto your Aqua Abilities page in your online booking, within 14 days of booking your WhaleSwim Adventure tour.
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 cancellation. 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.
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-moorea-tahiti/

13. Free-diving with humpback whales is only permitted with permission of the boat skipper
14. Drones are ONLY be used with permission of the boat skipper.
15. Smoking is NOT permitted on the Cata Manu vessel.
16. Touching the whales or other marine mammals, is not permitted on our tours.
17. 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.
18. Children/teenagers under 18 years old are not accepted on our tours (Unless all 9 spaces are booked by the family).
19. If the minimum bookings of 6 people on our 8-person photo tours or 7-persons on our 9 person tours is not reached 70 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.