Top 6 Half-Day Whale Watching in French Polynesia

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.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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3.Half Day Small Group Whale Watching

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

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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4.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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5.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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6.Private Tour Whale Watching Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews

Join Mori Ora’s crew from Moorea Marina for a private 3 to 4-hour search for humpback whales and other marine life. The crew adapts the outing to ocean conditions, approaches animals gently, and may offer time in the water for confident swimmers with fins, mask, and snorkel.

“Getting on and off the sailboat was trash in itself. Driver hit another boat with the dingy on our way to the sailboat. Got to the sailboat which looks like it's been through 3 hurricanes. There is absolutely nothing luxurious about this boat. No pRead more”

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