Swimming with Humpback Whales in Moorea: The Most Incredible Wildlife Experience of My Life
- Dec 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 18
From giant sea turtles and curious stingrays to a humpback whale that swam right beside me in the open Pacific Ocean, it was a day our family will never forget & one of the most incredible wildlife encounters of my life.
Swimming with a Humpback Whale in Moorea
Swimming with a humpback whale had been on my wish list for years.
So when we found ourselves in Moorea during whale season, there was really only one thing on my mind.
Whales.
And hopefully, if we were lucky, the chance to swim with one.
Before we'd even left the beach, our guide had mentioned that tiger sharks are sometimes seen in the waters around Moorea.
I hadn't even thought about tiger sharks until that moment, and suddenly I was starting to feel a little nervous about swimming out into the open ocean.
But I was far too excited about the whales to back out now.
The morning we headed out was unbelievably calm. The lagoon was incredibly beautiful and we spotted many sea turtles on our way out.
We spent the next 20 minutes or so scanning the horizon and listening for news from other boats.
Then finally, the guide nodded.
"There."
A whale had been spotted.
Within minutes, six of us were slipping into the water and following the guide out into the deep blue.
I remember looking down and seeing nothing.
No reef.
No bottom.
Just endless blue.
We swam towards where the whale had been spotted, but it had disappeared.
We waited.
We searched.
Nothing.
What we didn't know was that while we were out in the ocean looking for the whale, the whale had gone straight over to our boat!
The Whale Headed Straight to the Girls
While I was in the water, Jason and the girls stayed on the boat.
Suddenly the humpback whale surfaced right beside them.
Not off in the distance.
Not fifty metres away.
Right beside the boat!
It lifted its huge eye above the water and seemed to look directly at the girls, like it was just as curious about them as they were about it.
While I was floating around in the middle of the Pacific wondering where on earth the whale had gone, the girls were having this absolutely magical encounter back at the boat!
Eventually, we gave up searching and swam back.
As soon as I climbed aboard, Jason and the girls were all talking at once, desperate to tell me what had happened.
They couldn't believe how close the whale had come.
I was so happy they had experienced something so special.
Our Second Chance to Swim with the Whale
A while later, we spotted the whale again.
So we gave it another try.
Once again, we slipped into the water and swam out into that enormous blue ocean.
We waited, looking around and then I saw something.
At first, it was just a faint patch of white deep below me.
For a moment I couldn't work out what I was looking at.
Then the shape became clearer.
A long white fin.
A pale belly.
And slowly, this enormous shadow began rising from the depths.
And it was coming towards us.
I watched as this enormous humpback whale rose through the blue water, getting closer and closer.
And then it surfaced beside me.
I couldn't believe how close it was.
Or how peaceful it felt.
You expect something that enormous to feel intimidating.
Instead, it felt strangely calming.
It's difficult to explain just how graceful a humpback whale is until you're floating beside one.
Every movement seemed slow.
Every flick of its tail looked completely effortless.
And for those few minutes, I simply swam alongside it, completely speechless.
It remains one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters I've ever experienced.
Snorkelling with Reef Sharks and Stingrays
The whale encounter would have been enough to make this one of our favourite days in French Polynesia, but the tour wasn't finished yet.
Afterwards, the crew took us to another snorkelling spot where we swam amongst schools of fish and watched blacktip reef sharks cruising through the water.
For our last stop, we were dropped off in a sandy, waist-deep area where super friendly stingrays and reef sharks glide around. The girls loved it, and it was such a fun way to top off an already incredible day 🐋
It honestly ranks as one of the best travel days we’ve ever had. If you are travelling through French Polynesia during whale season, put this on the top of your list!
Why Moorea is One of the Best Places in the World to Swim with Humpback Whales
Whale season runs from July to November
They follow strict rules to protect the whales
Small-group tours and whale-watching options make the experience accessible for families
Moorea is only around a 40-minute ferry ride from Tahiti
Excellent chance of seeing turtles, rays and sharks as well
Of course, whales are wild animals, so sightings — and especially getting the opportunity to swim with one — are never guaranteed.
When to Book & Prices
We chose Tip Nautic because they keep their tour groups small, and we wanted to support a small, local business. Numbers are limited and they only head out once a day when conditions permit, so it's best to book in advance. You can contact them directly to book.
For people choosing to swim with the humpbacks 15,000 XPF per person
If you wish to enjoy whale watching from the boat 10, 000 XPF per person (you can always jump off in the shallows and snorkel with the reef sharks and stingrays too)
Where to Stay in Moorea for Whale Swimming
From beachfront bungalows to family-friendly stays and budget accommodation, there are plenty of beautiful places to stay around the island.
What to bring on tour
Mask, Snorkel & Fins if you prefer to use your own, otherwise Tip Nautic will provide them
Reef Safe Sunscreen. We love MooGoo Invisible Zinc!
Rash shirt
Go Pro and underwater camera gear. I absolutely love my go pro dome - for those half land/half water photos
Water, snacks and a sense of adventure!
Travel Insurance for French Polynesia
When we're travelling and planning adventurous activities like whale swimming, snorkelling and hiking, travel insurance is something we always consider. We use World Nomads for many of our trips.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
More French Polynesia Travel Guides
French Polynesia completely stole our hearts! If you're planning your own trip, you might also find these guides helpful:
🏝️ Budget Travel Tips for Bora Bora - Our tips for experiencing beautiful Bora Bora without spending a fortune.
🦈 Guide to Snorkelling with Sharks and Stingrays in Moorea - Everything you need to know about one of our favourite family experiences in Moorea.
✈️ Cheapest Way to Travel to Tahiti from Australia - How we found an affordable way to get our family from Australia to French Polynesia.
🌺 Moorea Vs Bora Bora for families - Can't decide which island to visit? We compare both and explain why Moorea became our family favourite.
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