4 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 $264Best value

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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