Whale Paradise in French Polynesia
Swim with whales and their calves in crystal clear ocean
Get carried away on an expedition in one of the most breathtaking places on our planet, French Polynesia.
Close encounters with humpback whales, many species of dolphins, rays, turtles, sharks, and tropical fish in crystal-clear Polynesian waters.
Location
Duration
Moorea
8 days
3550 USD
Price
Available dates
OCTOBER 1 - OCTOBER 11 2024 SOLD OUT
About this Trip
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For: max 6 guests to ensure respectful encounters with the whales
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Duration: 8 days
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Boat: Day trips on a private speedboat
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Number of days in the water: 5 days (6 hours/day)
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Food: breakfast every day + lunch, fruit, and soft drinks on the boat days
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Conditions: Perfect snorkeling conditions: calm and warm ocean, with water temperature around 27°C and amazing visibility
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Skill requirement: Good swimming skills
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Pick-up location: Ferry terminal Moorea
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Accommodation: Beautiful Polynesian guest house, rooms for 2.
- ACCOMMODATION GALLERY
Price includes:
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All transfers upon arrival at Moorea
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Accommodation in rooms for 2, with private bathrooms
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Breakfast every day + lunch, and snacks during the boat days
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5 full days (6 hours) on a private boat - swimming with whales, dolphins, sharks and rays
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2 professional guides for the whole trip
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Album of professional underwater photos of your encounters
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Snorkeling equipment
Price does not include:
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airfare and ferry to Moorea (approx. 30 USD both ways)
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dinners
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insurance
Expedition Highlights
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Witnessing the unique and fascinating behavior of the beautiful humpback whales:
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Swimming with humpback whale mother resting, with her calf playing around
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Witnessing the first breaches of humpback whale calves
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Watching the male heat runs
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Listening to the males singing their songs to the female whales
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Observing the mating rituals of humpback whales
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Witnessing the humpback males escort the mothers and calves, waiting for the opportunity to mate before heading back to the Antarctic waters
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You will obtain an album of professional underwater photos of you, the whales and your interactions after the expedition
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Encounters with spinner dolphins, roughed-toothed dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, and other cetaceans
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Snorkeling with pink whip rays, Hawksbill turtles, and green sea turtles
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Snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, and grey reef sharks
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Encounters with many species of pelagic fish: wahoo, tunas, flying fish, golden jacks, and many others
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Opportunity to learn about the whales‘ biology and body language from our guides and a local whale guide with over 12 years of experience
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Our conservation activities are our top priority and we fund them through expeditions like this, and if you join us, you will help us move our vision one step further
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Moorea - Meeting and accommodation
We will pick you up at the Moorea ferry and drive you to your accommodation. In the evening, we will give you a briefing about the whale behavior that you will be able to observe from up close in the following days.
Day 2
Moorea - Exploration of the island and kayaking
Moorea is a volcanic island surrounded by the crystal-clear Pacific ocean, with majestic green mountains, waterfalls, and a shallow turquoise lagoon. In the lagoon, you can snorkel with many species of reef fish, rays, reef sharks, and admire beautiful coral formations. We will drive around the island to explore it and enjoy the beautiful views. We will also rent kayaks to access the lagoon and snorkel with the famous blacktip reef sharks, rays and colorful tropical butterflyfish and angelfish in a perfectly transparent light blue ocean over the white sandy bottom.
Day 3 - 7
Moorea - Swimming with whales & cetacean ocean safari
In the morning, we will jump on a private speedboat and look for the best interactions with humpback whales and their calves. Humpback whales migrate here from the Arctic waters. They come to the Polynesian calm and warm waters to mate and give birth to their calves. There are three main different types of behavior that we will be looking for:
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The first one is witnessing the special bond between the mother and her calf relaxing close to the ocean surface. This is the time when she can decide to make eye contact with you, slowly close her eyes in a sign of trust, and let you play with her calf.
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The second is observing a heat run of more than four males chasing the female.
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The third is admiring the beautiful mating rituals of whales, listening to the males' beautiful songs, and watching them breach from the water to impress a possible mate.
Your private guide will explain to you all about the whales' behavior, rituals and biology and take professional underwater photos of your interactions.
We will also look for different cetacean species that can be encountered in the Polynesian waters full of marine life. Nothing can be promised in nature, but we might get a chance to swim and snorkel with the following species:
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Spinner dolphins: There is a resident pod of spinner dolphins of around 160 individuals. Spinner dolphins are famous for their aerial acrobatics, they can breach the water and spin up to seven times in the air.
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Rough-toothed dolphins, who are quite curious with the swimmers.
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Short-finned pilot whales are typically seen moving slowly at the surface during the day allowing boats to approach them.
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Possibility of encounters with Blainville Beaked Whales, Risso Dolphins, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Minke Whales or Pygmy Killer Whales
Day 8
End of expedition
GALLERY
ACCOMMODATION
What to look forward to?
French Polynesia is nothing less than a tropical paradise. Warm white sand beaches, clear blue ocean, emerald lagoons, and beautiful volcanic peaks with waterfalls. This expedition takes place on Moorea island, with lush green tall cliffs, and a warm clear ocean full of marine life.
Humpback whales migrate to the Polynesian waters to give birth and spend the first months with their calves before heading back to the Arctic waters. We will spent five days in the water with these gentle giants, focusing on the best interactions we can find. We will also look for amazing encounters with other cetacean species that call this place their home, like spinner dolphins, roughed-toothed dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, and if lucky, uncommon species like Risso's dolphins, dwarf sperm whales, or Minke Whales.
Moorea's crystalline lagoon is also the perfect spot for snorkeling and swimming with big rays, turtles, many species of tropical fish, and reef sharks. French Polynesia is simply a true bucket-list destination for any ocean enthusiast.
Our mission is to protect the underwater world, educate people of all generations and explore the treasures the ocean hides in its depths. Our conservation activities are our top priority and we fund them through expeditions like this. By joining us, you help us to move our vision one step further.