Meet underwater magic and swim with whales in Moorea. Join them for a lifetime experience in Moorea, Tahiti, French Polynesia in August 2024. Swim alongside magnificent whales, experience daily yoga, and savor super healthy food.
- Daily yoga and wellbeing practice
- Guided humpback whale swimming experience
- 4 half days expedition on the water
- 1 full day expedition on the water
Note: Schedule can vary depending on the weather forecast.
For who is this trip?
This trip is designed for those who love the element of water and water activities. It is also for all who dreamed of visiting Polynesia and observe and swim with whales. If you apprecitate well-organized trips and enjoy incorporating some little exercise, yoga, and good food into your vacations, their retreats might be just what you’re always looking for.
Feel welcome to travel at your preferred pace and decide your level of participation in group activities. Their house by the sea offers sufficient space for everyone to have their own space, allowing for relaxation and maximum enjoyment throughout the trip.
You should be reasonably fit and able to swim and snorkel. You should be able to swim 200 meter (which are a few times back and forth in an Olympic pool) to reach the whales from the boat and back to the boat. You will never be alone in the water and the group is always guided by their local expedition partner while you are on the boat and in the water.
Yoga and well-being
- Daily yoga and mindfulness classes
- Sunrise and sunset flows
- Vinyasa, Yin, and Hatha style
- Meditation
- Journaling sessions
All levels are welcome, no matter how new or advanced your practice is
Participation
Participation is always voluntary. In every program point, at every daytime. Prices do not change though. They encourage you to always be in your best space and hear your inner voice. If you need space and time, take it and own it.
If you are an underwater lover and want to bring a friend or family member with you who will not be part of the daily expeditions on the water but everything else, they do offer a special rate for them. Please get in contact with them as spots are very limited.
Daily expeditions to meet the giant beauties
French Polynesia is one of the last places in the world where swimming with whales is possible. Let the hypnotic song of the great singing males lull and to hypnotize you underwater. Experience first-hand the titanic leaps of these giants as they drop their 35 tons back to the surface with a mighty splash.
Observe the mothers and their whale calves in their intimacy and learning phases, the playful and curious calves approaching you and the fierce competition of the males for the favor of the females.
You do not approach the mammals actively and let them enough space to let them come to you if they feel like. It is also why they only take small groups with to give them the utmost respect.
Are the whales always there?
During the months of July to November, the southern hemisphere population of humpback whales commences their winter migration with a portion of the population choosing the islands of French Polynesia as their destination. The first arrival and last departure of the humpback whales varies season by season.
Typically, observations become consistent around the end of July and extend through the beginning of November with the peak of the season being from mid-August to mid-October.
French Polynesia remains one of the few locations in the world where you are able to enter the water with humpback whales to observe them directly. Whale observations are not guaranteed and may begin in 2024 even later and under permit August 1st, depending on the 2024 regulations.
Their priority lies both to guest safety and to respect of all wildlife you encounter during their tours. You will only enter the water with humpback whales after the local biologist on board has observed their surface activity and deemed it safe and non-invasive for both the guests and the whales. Allowing the whales to continue their natural behavior, mating rituals, and migration movements is vital for a healthy marine environment.
How close do the whales get?
Adult whales usually know their limits and leave a certain distance between you and them. They move carefully and in control, are very precise in the water and also very agile.
Babies sometimes know fewer limits, sometimes approach upon to half meter from you, may playfully roll and look at you straight in the eye. Adults whales are close enough to be photographed, and although they can get to within an arm’s length, they usually stay 1-2 car lengths away.
How often will you swim with whales?
Whales are wild animals. Sometimes they are more playful, other times more withdrawn. There is no guarantee how often and how long the encounters will last. Interactions can last from a few seconds to an hour.
There are days when the interactions are minimal or when you may not even see whales because of the weather or because they are not showing themselves. There will be days on which you will be able to spend several hours in the water. It all depends on the whales and how they are feeling.
Whales are wild animals and please respect what they are doing and feeling at any given moment. Sometimes they decide they do not feel like company and they are here to respect that decision and be patient with the schedule they set.
And on other days, it feels like if every whale wants to play and interact and move frequently. Either way, you will have unique days. These encounters and crossing gazes of them is, in their opinion, one of the most beautiful things they have and you hopefully also will experience.
Their local partner is a very experienced leader, captain with a really nice crew on board to assist you. They now the sea around Moorea like their pocket and are super good with locating these magnificent creatures. So the more eyes that are on the lookout, the better.
And cherry on top: The distance between the house to the expedition boat is only 5 to 10 minutes drive away. These transfers to the boat and back are planned, organized, and included in the overall costs.
Very important: No free diving with the humpback whales. This is to ensure the best possible interaction and to respect the whales territory and habitat.
Diving to their depth can be perceived as an intimidating gesture by the whales and often causes them to move away. This rule was introduced to avoid disturbing the whales and also to prevent other observers from being disturbed while observing them. The whales hold their breath for between 5 and 30 minutes and then come to the surface. Patience is the key!
Do not chase or swim after the humpback whales and never ever try to touch them. The whales are wild, sentient creatures and they never force them or try to get with them into a desired interaction. The whale decides for itself whether it is curious or playful and whether it wants to approach you.
Your guides are constantly monitoring the whale’s behavior to put you in the best position and have the best possible (viewing) experience. Trust your guide and always remember that you cannot control the wildlife and you want to respect them. And please always stay with your guide and group – at all times.
Daily tentative plan
- Rise with the sun
- Gentle yoga practice
- Light breakfast
- Pick up and transfer to the boat
- Briefing
- Whale swimming experience
- Return transfer to the house
- Late lunch
- Relax, explore, and/or unwind
- Evening yoga
- Dinner on the terrace
- Free time
- Night time
Possible itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Please schedule and plan to arrive latest on Sunday. Upon your arrival in Tahiti, French Polynesia, they’ll meet you the port of Aremiti. Please plan your flight to arrive before 12 pm or consider arriving a few days early, as the ferry to Moorea departs at 4:10 pm. Exact reassembly point and timings will be reconfirmed shortly before the trip starts.
Your first evening entails a welcome dinner and an initial briefing in their villa. They recommend an early night’s rest to prepare for the upcoming whale swimming expedition the following day.
Day 2 - 6: Ocean days
Monday to Friday, you start the day early between 6 and 7 am, but smoothly. You can use this time in the way that suits you best, whether it’s starting the day journaling as the sun rises, or recharging your energy with a morning meditation and slow yoga.
Each morning, a light breakfast is served at the house before you set off on the boat. You pack up your gear and head out on the boat (approximately 7:00 am) to look for nice encounters with humpback whales. You always have a briefing before you enter the water and on the boat, light snacks are available, so don’t worry if you get hungry.
You will spend four half-days swimming with the whales, in addition to one full day dedicated to this unforgettable experience. The half-day excursions usually last around 5-6 hours. While on the boat, you can enjoy snacks and drinks to keep you refreshed throughout the day.
After your time in the water, you are dropped back at the shore and head home. There will be opportunities to shower, rest, and reflect on the incredible encounters. They even have a scooter available for those who wish to explore the island on their own. Chill and relax at the pool, swim in the sea, read, nap or simply relax by the pool.
Later in the day, they offer sunset yoga and breathing sessions on the terrace, followed by a healthy dinner with a breathtaking sea view. Everyone ends the day as and at the pace they want.
Day 7: Departure day
Your last day in the water is Friday. Saturday morning, after breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. You will transfer back and they will bring you to the port of Moorea. Aremiti will be waiting for you to take you back to Tahiti. The ferry crossing from Moorea to Tahiti back takes 30 to 45 minutes. You can choose from two transfer timings: Drop off at the port to get the 8 am or later, at 11 am.
If your flight departure on Saturday from Papete Tahiti (PPT) is early in the morning or before midday, you might need to spend the night from Friday to Saturday on the island of Tahiti. Please keep this in mind when booking your flight and to inform them.
If you would like to extend your stay in Moorea, Tahiti, Bora Bora, or another super island and travel around French Polynesia (which they highly recommend as the journey is long and the islands exceptionally beautiful), they can help arrange a hotel or accommodation for the day until you leave Moorea.
