Moorea Half-Day Humpback Whale Encounter (Tama Tours)

About This Experience

Tama Tours is a Moorea crew built around the experience of captain Tamatoa, and this half-day trip goes looking for humpbacks with the aim of watching them and, when it is safe, swimming with them. It holds a 4.8 rating from 65 reviews, and the listing frames the day around respect for mothers and newborn calves as much as the encounter itself.

You meet the crew at the operator's start point, which is shown on your booking; transport there is not included. The boat then heads out beyond the reef, where licensed whale watching and swimming are allowed.

A certified guide handles the water entries. Along with the whales, the crew talks about ocean life and how islanders live with the lagoon. Reviewers describe seeing a calf at close range several times, dolphins on the same trip, and in one case an extra snorkeling stop on the way back, which you should treat as a bonus and not a promise.

The listing asks for moderate fitness, and reviewers say plainly that you need to be a good swimmer. The trip is not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, so the boat takes young families, but only strong swimmers will get in the water with the whales.

The Viator price starts at $225 per person, one of the lower prices for a Moorea swim trip on this site, but all sales are final with no refund if you cancel. The same trip is also sold on GetYourGuide at $284 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, where it is newly listed with no reviews yet.

Highlights

• Local crew led by captain Tamatoa, with talk of island life and culture
• Reviewers report close views of a humpback calf, several times on one trip
• Dolphins spotted on the same outing by some guests
• Swims led by a certified guide once conditions are judged safe
• Four hours on the open ocean off Moorea
• Viator price well below the same trip on GetYourGuide

What's Included

• ✓ Four-hour boat trip in search of humpback whales
• ✓ Certified guide
• ✓ Guided swims with the whales when conditions allow
• ✓ Crew commentary on ocean life and island culture
• ✓ Guiding in English and French

Not Included

• Private transportation to the start point
• Refunds on cancellation (all sales are final on Viator)

What to Bring

• Swimsuit and towel
• Wetsuit if you own one
• Mineral sunscreen and a hat
• Motion-sickness tablets, taken before boarding
• A dry layer for the ride back

Good to Know & Caveats

• Licensed whale tours can run only from 20 July to 20 November, between 07:30 and 17:30; outside those dates no operator can take you to the whales.
• Sightings and swims are never guaranteed. Whales are wild, and the crew decides on the day whether sea state and whale behavior allow anyone into the water.
• The listing asks for at least moderate fitness, and reviewers say you need to be a good swimmer.
• Operators require a life jacket in the water unless you wear a wetsuit; confirm with Tama Tours what they provide.
• Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and service animals are allowed.
• All sales are final on Viator, so book only once your dates are fixed.

Meeting Point

Meet the Tama Tours crew at the start point on Moorea shown on your booking confirmation; no transport is included.