What’s Included
✅ 5 days on the water A space for you on the boat with our captain and crew
✅ Accommodation 6 nights
✅ Meals Three meals per day, please let us know if you have any restrictions
✅ Airport Pick-up On your day of arrival, we will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your accommodation
✅ Airport drop-off On your day of departure, we will drive you from your accommodation to the airport
✖ Flights
✖ Snorkeling Gear
✖ Other Activities
✖ Drinks
LOCATION
Outer Islands French Polynesia
DATES
Sept 29 - Oct 5, 2025 (5 days / 6 nights)
ACTIVITY
5 days of swimming with Humpback whales
GUESTS
MAX. 6 people + Captain & Crew
PRICE
Deposit $1000 / $4900 total
About Trip
Experience the incredible beauty and majesty of swimming with humpback whales. There is no requirement for SCUBA or free diving certifications. We will be snorkeling and free diving (optional in certain situations) with the whales. We keep groups small so you will have optimal time in the water as well as a variety of experiences. For example, you may see calves with mothers, juvenile whales, singers, and occasional encounters with other local ocean life (dolphins and pilot whales). We will spend much of our time together – eating, swimming, and going out on the boat for the day.
Below you will find some information about the trip. After booking, you will receive a trip guide with more information, including the exact locations, our accommodation, and more.
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Each day our local captain will meet us at the dock.
The sun here is strong so please be aware and plan accordingly.
The captain will handle boat operations and guide us to the areas with the whales. He will also ensure that both the whales, crew, and passengers are safe in the water.
You will be required to follow the captain’s instructions on the boat at all times.
If you have any preexisting conditions that may hinder your ability to be on a moving boat you must inform us prior to the trip dates.
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We will be staying in a house on an island of ~2500 people. The accommodation is clean and comfortable but not luxurious. Access to the internet will be limited, and slow, on the island so please plan accordingly.
Please note: Accommodation is typically dual occupancy. When sharing we assign rooms with guests of the same gender.
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Breakfast will be served where we are staying and dinners at the guest house or out at a local restaurant. A packed lunch and snacks will be provided on the boat.
We can accommodate most dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, though.
If you have any food allergies, intolerances, or preferences, please list them on the sign-up form.
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Humpbacks are incredibly intelligent and dynamic animals. Every interaction is different. They are conscious and aware of our presence, often curious, and the babies can be playful. It is important to remember that we are in their territory. We will respect the whales and will be swimming with them by their choice.
We will be following a set of strict guidelines followed by all the licensed charter boats in Tonga, where they do a great job of protecting their whales. We will typically be five in the water at a time (the maximum is five including me and our Tongan whale guide who will accompany us), and we let the whales approach us. We move quietly and calmly so as not to disturb the animals. Everything will be on their terms. Humpback whales are extremely agile, and spatially aware. They have incredible control of their bodies and will go to great lengths to avoid bumping into us.
Adult humpbacks are typically 45 feet long (15 meters in length), the size of a school bus, while newborn babies are approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters).
There is plenty more to learn that we’ll have a chance to discuss on the trip.
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Weather
In French Polynesia, a vast archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, the climate is tropical, influenced by the south-east trade winds, with a hot and humid season from November to April and a cooler season from May to October. The temperatures vary little throughout the year, and sunshine is abundant.
The sea water tends to be pleasantly warm and clear.
Rainfall throughout the year can be intense at times, but generally doesn’t last long.
Currency
The official currency in French Polynesia is the Pacific franc (XPF). Major credit cards are accepted by most businesses, but small vendors still deal commonly in cash only. There is an ATM on the island where we will be staying.
Visas
Visas are not required for citizens from the US, UK, or countries in the EU & EEA.
If your home country is not listed, please check your visa requirements ahead of time.
Vaccines and Health
You can find COVID-19 restrictions and regulations for French Polynesia here.
Please make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccinations.
You can check the CDC’s (US) website for further information here.
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All of our guides are professional underwater photographers or freedivers, with a passion for nature and the ocean. You can read more about our team here
Note: Any of our guides could be schedule to lead your trip. -
First, you’ll need to book a flight to Papeete (PPT) on the main island of Tahiti.
The final destination will be one of the outer islands in French Polynesia, about 2.5 hours from Tahiti. Our trip arrival and departure dates will align with the flight schedule between the islands. Plan on spending ~$600 USD for this additional round-trip flight.
Once you’ve reserved your spot on a trip with us we will help you with booking the local flight.
Please note: The local flight will depart PPT in the morning of your arrival day and return you to PPT in the afternoon on your departure day.
The exact location and more info on booking your flights will be in the trip guide
Itinerary
Arrival Day
Get to know the area and your team
Fly in from Tahiti from the outer islands. There will be transport ready to pick you up from the airport. We’ll have lunch together and run through a brief orientation to prepare for the following days. After you have gotten settled in we will have dinner together.
Note: This will be the first date of your selected trip
Whale Swimming Days
5 days on the water
Breakfast will be home cooked where we’re staying. We’ll spend about seven hours at sea, and have lunch on the boat. We have an experienced local captain and crew to assist in finding the whales. We’ll enjoy dinners at the guest house or at a local restaurant.
You will have free time in the late afternoon each day.
On one of our whale swimming days, we will be spend half a day on the water, and the rest of the day exploring the tropical island together!
Note: If weather limits our time on the boat we will prepare activities to do back on the island.
Departure Day
Final breakfast before local flight back to Tahiti. Arrive in Tahiti in the afternoon and proceed to your next destination
Note: This will be the last date of your selected trip
Do you have any questions?
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