9 Swim with Whales Experiences in French Polynesia to Build a Morning Around

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.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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4.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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5.WHALE TOUR – Watching and Swimming with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $327

Spend about four hours off Moorea searching for humpback whales, with the chance to enter the water under guide supervision. Henua, Nicolas, and other Temoana Tours crew members work in small groups, follow whale-protection rules, and may extend the outing when conditions allow.

“We weren’t sure that we would see whales, let alone swim with them. Once we got on the water, we realized how difficult it was to get close to the whales. We ended up seeing several whales from the boat and tried to get into the water to get closer and swim with them. The third time was the charm …. We ended up seeing a mother and baby whale! What an amazing experience! Thank you to Henua (our guide) and Nico (our captain) for working hard, calling friends on the water and looking out for the whales. We honestly would have been fine with seeing the whales fr the…”

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6.Sacred Experience Swimming with a Whale in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $157Best value

Join captain Anthony and guide Averii, known for careful whale encounters, on a four-hour trip from Marina Vai’are. Watch humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life, then enter the water only when conditions and whale behavior allow. Six people may swim, while four others can observe from the boat.

“LOVEDDDDD watching the whales and swimming with them!! The captain and guide were so friendly and informative. Must be in good shape to keep up because it’s a lot of swimming!”

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7.Observe and Swim with Whales in Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

Meet at Te Moana Tahiti Resort for a three-hour whale-watching trip with a maximum of 10 people. Guides Johannes and the captain explain respectful whale encounters, provide masks, fins, snorkels, and towels, and finish with a swim among turtles and other marine life when conditions allow.

“Great crew rough seas so couldn’t swim but they got us respectfully close to several whales. Lots of activity and cool whale behavior!”

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8.Private boat tour to swim with whales and sharks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Join captain Stephane and aquatic guide Louis for a private four-hour search for humpback whales off Moorea. You may enter the water only when whale behavior, sea conditions, and safety allow. The boat returns to its starting point, and the experience is limited to your group of up to four.

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9.Watch and Swim with Humpback Whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $267

Meet humpback whales off Moorea on a four-hour boat trip limited to four people plus your guide. KoaBoatTour provides snorkeling gear, drinks, ponchos, and life jackets. Whale encounters are never guaranteed, but the crew follows strict wildlife rules and may provide video at no extra cost.

“This is a must do! It was truly a magical experience. Looking a whale in the eye and seeing the wisdom of a thousand years is beyond comprehension. A truly sacred experience. The crew was amazing as well and it was clear that they wanted us to have the best experience ever. They succeeded!!”

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