What is the best time to see whales in Moorea?

When is peak whale season in Moorea?

There is no official peak, and local sources do not agree on one. Some say August to September, others July to August, and others September to October for calves. What the record does show clearly is that late September and October sit firmly in the season. The research surveys of the Windward Islands in 1997 to 2002 ran from September to November because the whales were reliably there, and armed forces records logged whales with calves off Tahiti and Moorea in mid-October.

That makes September the safest single month. You are past the start of the season, rain is still low, and calves are around. The first half of October comes close behind, with somewhat more rain.

Numbers also vary from year to year with ocean conditions, so no month comes with a guarantee. French Polynesia’s wintering population is estimated at several hundred whales, not thousands, and every operator on this site says a sighting is never certain.

Early season: late July and August

The season opens on July 20. Local guides describe the early weeks as the time for singing males, often heard on a hydrophone before they are seen, and for competitive groups of males chasing a female. The Moorea Activities Center half-day tour carries a hydrophone on board, and male song is one of the things the early season is known for (our breakdown).

The trade-off in late July is that the first whales can still be spread out. If your trip falls then, book early in your stay so you have spare days for a second attempt.

Late season: November

November is still open until the 20th. Treat the first three weeks of the month as possible but less likely: mothers and calves begin the trip south, and average rainfall more than doubles between September and November. A November trip can still work, but plan it as a bonus.

Can you see whales in Moorea in May or December?

You might see one from shore or from a ferry, but you cannot book a whale tour. Sightings off Moorea were reported in May 2025, with one at the end of April, and a few whales remain into December. Licensed tours can only operate from July 20 to November 20, and private boats must stay 300 meters from any whale all year.

Outside the season, Moorea’s other ocean life is still there. Spinner dolphins rest in the bays by day, and the lagoon has turtles, rays and blacktip reef sharks. Lagoon trips such as the Moorea Sea Experience snorkeling and dolphin trip are not tied to the whale season; our Moorea snorkeling tours page compares them.

During the season there is also a free way to look from land. The Oceania association runs shore-watch sessions at the Toatea lookout near Temae on Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. until November 6, 2026.

Time of day

Whale tours may run only between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and most operators run a morning and an afternoon trip. The trade winds tend to build during the day, so the sea is often calmer early. Enjoy Boat Tours starts at 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunrise in Moorea is about 6:20 a.m. in mid-August and 5:30 a.m. in mid-October, so a morning boat leaves in full daylight all season. For a closer look at morning or afternoon, see which Moorea whale tour is right for you.

Weather and sea conditions

Whale season falls in the cooler, drier half of the year. May to October is the dry season, and November to April is hot and wet. Sea temperatures are roughly 79 to 81 °F from August to October, so a thin wetsuit or rash vest is plenty for a swim.

The thing to watch is the wind. Trade winds blow from the east and turn southeast in winter. The mara’amu, a strong, cool southeast wind, can raise a steep sea outside the reef even when the lagoon looks calm. Whale tours run in the open ocean, so a mara’amu day can mean a rough ride or a cancelled trip. Tides in Moorea are tiny and make no practical difference.

Two habits help. Book your whale trip for the first half of your stay, and check the forecast at meteo.pf the day before.

Frequently asked questions

When is whale season in Moorea?

Licensed whale watching and swim tours run from July 20 to November 20 each year. Humpbacks are commonly present from July into November, and a few arrive earlier or stay later, but tours can only operate inside those dates.

When does whale season start in Moorea?

Tours start on July 20. Whales can arrive earlier, with sightings reported in May, but numbers build through late July and August.

When is peak whale season in Moorea?

Sources differ, but mid-August to mid-October is the most reliable stretch. September is the safest single month: well into the season, low rain, and mothers with calves increasingly seen.

What is the best month to see whales in Moorea?

September. August is a close second for singing males and courtship groups, and October for mothers and calves, with somewhat more rain.

Can you see whales in Moorea in December?

Possibly from shore, as a few whales stay into December, but no licensed tour can take you to them. The season closes on November 20. In December, book a dolphin or lagoon snorkeling trip.

Can you swim with whales in Moorea in May?

No. Whales are occasionally reported in May, but swimming with them is only allowed on licensed tours between July 20 and November 20.

Is July a good month for whale watching in Moorea?

Late July can be good, and tours start on July 20. It is the start of the season, so whales may be fewer and more spread out than in August or September. Book early in your stay to leave room for a second trip.

Ready to book? Compare every boat in which Moorea whale tour is right for you, read our breakdown of the Enjoy Boat Tours trip, or see what a whale swim costs.