Humpback Whales in French Polynesia

Each day our local captain will meet us at the dock.

The sun here is strong so please be aware and plan accordingly.

The captain will handle boat operations and guide us to the areas with the whales. He will also ensure that both the whales, crew, and passengers are safe in the water.

You will be required to follow the captain’s instructions on the boat at all times.

If you have any preexisting conditions that may hinder your ability to be on a moving boat you must inform us prior to the trip dates.

We will be staying in a house on an island of ~2500 people. The accommodation is clean and comfortable but not luxurious. Access to the internet will be limited, and slow, on the island so please plan accordingly.

Please note: Accommodation is typically dual occupancy. When sharing we assign rooms with guests of the same gender, unless you travel with a friend or a spouse.

Breakfast will be served where we are staying and dinners at the guest house or out at a local restaurant. A packed lunch and snacks will be provided on the boat.

We can accommodate most dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free.

If you have any food allergies, intolerances, or preferences, please let us know.

Humpbacks are incredibly intelligent and dynamic animals. Every interaction is different. They are conscious and aware of our presence, often curious, and the babies can be playful. It is important to remember that we are in their territory. We will respect the whales and will be swimming with them by their choice.

We will be following the strict regulations that French Polynesia introduced in 2025, which all licensed operators must follow. Boats keep a distance of at least 100 meters from the whales, and swimmers stay at least 15 meters away until a whale chooses to come closer. We let the whales approach us. We move quietly and calmly so as not to disturb the animals, and everything will be on their terms. Humpback whales are extremely agile and spatially aware. They have incredible control of their bodies and will go to great lengths to avoid bumping into us.

Adult humpbacks are typically 45 feet long (15 meters), the size of a school bus, while newborn babies are approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters).

There is plenty more to learn that we’ll have a chance to discuss on the trip.

Weather

In French Polynesia, a vast archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, the climate is tropical, influenced by the south-east trade winds, with a hot and humid season from November to April and a cooler season from May to October. The temperatures vary little throughout the year, and sunshine is abundant.

The sea water tends to be pleasantly warm and clear.

Rainfall throughout the year can be intense at times, but generally doesn’t last long.

Currency

The official currency in French Polynesia is the Pacific franc (XPF). Major credit cards are accepted by most businesses, but small vendors still deal commonly in cash only. There is an ATM on the island where we will be staying.

Visas

Visas are not required for citizens from the US, UK, or countries in the EU & EEA.

If your home country is not listed, please check your visa requirements ahead of time.

Vaccines and Health

Please make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccinations.

You can check the CDC’s (US) website for further information here.

All of our guides are professional underwater photographers or freedivers, with a passion for nature and the ocean. You can read more about our team here.

Note: Any of our guides could be schedule to lead your trip.

First, you’ll need to book a flight to Papeete (PPT) on the main island of Tahiti.

The final destination will be Rurutu, about 2.5 hours from Tahiti. Our trip arrival and departure dates will align with the flight schedule between the islands. Plan on spending ~$600 USD for this additional round-trip flight.

Please note: The local flight will depart PPT in the morning of your arrival day and return you to PPT in the afternoon on your departure day.
The exact location and more info about booking your flights will be in the trip guide.