Top 11 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.Whale watching 6 people half day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $273

Set out from Moorea Marina with a small group of up to six guests and an experienced crew, including guides such as Doris or Jay. Learn how to approach humpback whales gently, then watch from the boat or enter the ocean with fins, mask, and snorkel when conditions allow. Dolphin sightings are also possible.

“Eight of us (including the two crew members) took off early in the morning in a larger zodiac type boat whale watching. The sea was rough with high waves but the boat was very stable and made good time to reach where the whales were. Read more”

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6.Half Day Whale Watching in a Small Shared Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $236

Board the traditional Tahitian POTI MARARA in Arue for a four-hour whale-watching trip limited to six passengers. Guides such as JB, Solenne, Nathan, and Vehiatua share local insight as you search for humpbacks, with possible swims, snorkeling, fruit, drinks, and a friendly small-boat setting.

“Amazing trip with JB and Oneal! Thank to these two professional gentleman we got chance to saw whales at the last day in Tahiti. We decided to join pretty late at night, but the team help settle everything down and make it very easy to us. :) Don’t hesitate to join if you want to have a wonderful whale-watching tour!”

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7.Private Half Day Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews

Spend four hours off Moorea with Moorea Sea Experience, looking for Antarctic humpback whales from August to November. Louis and Teddy are part of the friendly team, while the six-person limit keeps the outing calm. Fruit, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included.

“This excursion was one of our highlights on our vacation. We were able to see the whales, sharks and stingrays. Louis and Teddy were exceptional. They were so accommodating to our needs and always stayed in great communication. This is definitely one for the books.”

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8.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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9.Half day whale watching – Without launch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews

Spend about four hours aboard Mori Ora, a private 47-foot sailboat for up to six people. JP, Elode, or Doris may guide you as you hoist sails, steer, change tack, and learn sea knots. From August 1 through November 11, the sailing trip is replaced by whale watching.

“Wonderful experience. JP and Doris did a great job taking us out of the bay on a sailing adventure! Such a beautiful place to sail and a wonderful way to experience the island.”

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10.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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11.Whale Watching Shared Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $270

Join Moorea Ocean Riders for a four-hour humpback whale trip limited to six people. Guides such as Floriane and Flo, with captain Tuhiki or Cédric, may take you swimming near whales when conditions and the animals allow. The cushioned boat and rear launch sled make time on the water comfortable.

“Thanks to Floriane and Cédric. I was quite worried but Floriane our guide in the water knew how to be reassuring and I could with my family go swimming to meet the whales. A timeless, magical and beautiful moment, a childhood dream coRead moreAuto-translated”

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