Top 15 French Polynesia Whale Watching Tours

1.Swimming with Whales in Moorea (Half Day tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 264 reviews · from $305Our pick

Spend about four hours on a Moorea Expedition boat searching for humpback whales from July through late November. You may enter the water with whales, dolphins, rays, or sharks. Guides such as Johnny, Joe, and Laura provide safety instructions, but you must be a confident open-water swimmer.

“This was an amazing experience from pick up to drop off. Taxi was on time at resort and super pleasant. Johnny and his captain were tremendous, safety was a priority for the whales and participants. He explained everything wonderfully and offered in both French and English. We were able to make two entries into the water the first with a mom and two calves and the second the same, except from the boat you could see there were two pods meeting up. The captain and Johnny navigating to the second entry point was amazing to watch — how they understood the ocean, whales and movements. We didn’t focus on taking…”

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2.Whale Tour – Observe and swim with whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · from $270Top rated

Spend about four hours off Moorea searching for humpback whales, dolphins, sharks, and turtles. Guides such as Joaquin, Carlos, Tamuti, Ike, Alfred, Amo, and Mankato have been praised for spotting animals and guiding swimmers. Expect small groups, snorkeling gear, water, and a possible lagoon stop with stingrays and reef sharks.

“These guys were amazing. They are very friendly, and professional. The tour was really nice, and fun, everybody of the crew were in a good mod making the ride very pleasant. The tour pick up us on time. Gave us snorkeling equipment. They explain everything that we were supposed to do, and not to do (both in English and French). Also they have a profissional photographer that you can buy photos and videos at the end. Makes our life so much easier, and your experience so much better, totally worth it. 10/10”

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3.Whale Watching Tours in Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 250 reviews · from $305

Join Simon or his team for a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip from Bora Bora. Listen through a directional hydrophone, watch humpback whales from the boat, and, when conditions and animal behavior allow, enter the open sea for a swim. Groups are limited to six.

“Simon was a fantastic guide and made sure we were able to get the most out of our time in the water. He makes sure everyone is safe and is great at finding the elusive whales. Be prepared to swim long distances as the whales move arouRead more”

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4.Swim with humpback whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · from $264

Set out from Moorea at 8:30 am with Corallina Tours for three to four hours on the lagoon and open ocean. Guides such as Francesca and Tamahere lead whale swims, then take you to rays and black-tip sharks. Snorkel gear and water are included.

“Although we saw whales, it's unfortunate that the whales were constantly moving, so we couldn't swim together with them.”

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5.Humpback whale watching and marine life in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $327

Spend about three hours off Moorea seeking humpback whales and other marine life with guides such as O’Neil, Doris, Mata, or Chewy. You may hear whale song, watch mothers and calves, and swim near whales when conditions and wildlife behavior allow. The whale season runs July 20 to November 20.

“Unfortunately we didn't have a good whale watching experience. This tour was supposedly operated by Pacifik Attitude per Viator but instead Moorea Moana Tours showed up. There was a large group of us who got divided into 2 groups anRead more”

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6.Half day whale tour 4h00

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 181 reviews · from $191Best value

Spend four hours searching Moorea’s waters for humpback whales, with possible swims near mothers and calves from July to November. Kevin, Mahai, and other local crew members guide the outing, provide snorkeling gear and drinks, and finish with lagoon wildlife when conditions allow.

“What an incredible experience! Our guides were entertaining, professionally, and respectful of the whales.”

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7.Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $1,640

Spend four hours aboard Mana’hau with guides such as Nicky, Fabien, Lolo, or Lingee, seeking humpback whales from July to November. Swim or snorkel with marine life, visit Moorea’s bays, and try the towed subwin board on a private trip for up to eight people.

“Such a wonderful experience with our guide, Nicki, and her father! Knowledgeable and personable, they geared the trip to our needs and wants. We never felt rushed as we snorkeled with stingrays, sharks, and turtles. And you cannot beat the scenery!”

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8.Respectful whale excursion to Tahiti in 4h30

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · from $222

Set out from Papeete Marina for a 4.5-hour whale search aboard a boat carrying up to 12 people. Guides such as Moana, Israel, Remy, and Bernardo look for humpbacks and dolphins, then offer lagoon snorkeling, fruit, juice, water, and local beer. Swimming with whales depends on conditions and animal behavior.

“One of the best whale watching excursions I ever attended. Snorkelling in the presence of Humpback whales is an experience I’ll never forget.”

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9.Half Day Small Group Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $267

Join Moorea Sea Experience for a four-hour whale-watching trip from Coco Beach Restaurant. With a maximum of six people, guides such as Mana or Johnny can give close attention on board and in the water. Humpback season runs August to November, with snorkeling gear, fruit, and drinks included.

“Magnifique journée le bateau au top l’équipe au top nous avons eu la chance de voir une maman baleine et son bébé après à peine 20 minutes sur le bateau puis tout le long de notre trajet jusqu’a la fin de l’excursion 🐳🫶🏼🌺”

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10.Tahiti island: Whale watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 79 reviews · 5 hours · from $227

Set out from Tahiti for a five-hour whale-watching trip with up to 12 passengers. Guides such as Israel, Teva, and Moana help you watch humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. If sea conditions and whale behavior allow, you may enter the water. Fruit, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included.

“Excellent. The whales were amazing. Teva and Moana were a great team. We didn’t get to swim with the whales but that was not for lack of trying. They did put on a wonderful show for us though. I was crying, the experience was that awesome.”

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11.Guided Small Group Whale Watching and Swim Tour Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $238

Join Wild Explorer Tahiti from Papeete Marina for a four-and-a-half-hour whale-watching trip limited to six people. Guide Teiki and the captain search for humpback whales from July to November, with swimming offered only when whale behavior and sea conditions are safe. Turtles, rays, coral gardens, and wreck sites add value.

“What can we say but WOW, INCREDIBLE, AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Teiki and captain Michael went way above beyond to insure we had the best adventure! We did three dives to see a mama humpback and her baby. Once in a lifetime memorRead more”

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12.Half-Day Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $236

Join captain Tamatoa and a certified crew for a four-hour humpback whale trip from Coco Beach Restaurant in Moorea. After a safety briefing, you’ll search the coast by boat and may enter the water in small groups when conditions are safe. Swimming is optional.

“Wonderful experience. Very friendly and professional crew. We felt safe and comfortable throughout the whole cruise. Highly recommended service! We were very lucky to see a baby humpback from very close distance multiple times. Surpassed our expectations by far 😁”

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13.Whale watching on the preserved and quiet coast of Paea (Pk26)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $205

From Paea’s quiet southwest coast, Mobydick Tahiti takes you aboard the 28-foot Stenella to look for humpback whales. Guides explain whale biology, play male songs through an onboard listening system, and may allow supervised swimming when conditions and DIREN rules permit. Isabel has captained some outings.

“The idea of swimming with the humpback whales is delightful. However, advertisement for the adventure is not forthcoming. To engage in this adventure one must swim 100-150 meters quickly using a side stroke so that flippers do nRead more”

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14.Private Whale Watching Adventure in Mo’orea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews

Meet at Plage de Tiahura at 8:00 a.m. for a private six-hour whale search with captain Julien and guide Teoni. You’ll learn about humpback whales, use the provided snorkeling gear, and may enter the water when conditions and regulations allow. Boat viewing is always an option.

“We had an unforgettable experience on our whale watching tour in Mo’orea! Our guide, Teoni, and captain, Julien, were both outstanding. Teoni was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, making sure our entire family felt safe and comfortaRead more”

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15.Half Day Private Whale Watching in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews

Spend four private hours aboard Inutai with Marie and Julien, searching Moorea’s whales from July to late November. Your crew may also find turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays, with snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, snacks, and a tour video included. Pickup is offered, and the outing returns to Moorea Marina.

“The experience of private whale watching with Marie and Julien was wonderful; and they are very nice people to spend the afternoon with! They came to pick us up at the hotel, their boat is very nice and modern, they are well informed and Read more”

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