Moorea Half-Day Whale Watching Tour (Watch or Swim)

About This Experience

Native Mozcean runs this half-day whale trip from Marina Vai'are on Moorea's east coast, close to the ferry port, with guides who speak French and English. Guests mention meeting the owner, Rahui, along with his family and crew, and describe clear briefings on how to behave around the whales.

You book one of two options. Swimmers get fins, mask and snorkel and, if the whales and the sea allow, enter the water at least 100 meters from the whales and swim toward them with the guide. Observers stay on board and watch. Either way, the guide watches the whales from the boat first and decides whether a swim can go ahead, and some days it can't.

A lot of the trip can go into searching. One four-star reviewer in August 2026 found whales only in the last hour, watched them dive at a distance, and the swimmers in her group did not get close. Another guest wanted to swim but found no swim places left, so book early if the swim matters to you. Other guests saw humpbacks on two separate occasions, and one group swam near three whales on the first day of the season.

Swimmers need to be strong in open water and at ease with snorkel gear, and the listing advises seasickness precautions for everyone. It lists the trip as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems and non-swimmers, so if you can't swim, ask the operator before booking the observer option. At $180 it is one of the lower prices on this site for a Moorea whale trip with a swim option.

Prices start from $180 per person, and it is rated 4.7 from 20 reviews. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The same Native Mozcean trip is sold on Viator from $289, where it has a 5.0 rating from 5 reviews.

Highlights

• Choose between a swimming option and a watch-from-the-boat option
• Departs from Marina Vai'are, a short walk from Moorea's ferry port
• Guide assesses whale behavior and sea conditions before any water entry
• Dolphins and sea turtles are also possible on the search
• Owner-run trip, with guests naming Rahui and his crew
• About four hours on the open ocean

What's Included

• ✓ Whale watching with the option to enter the water (swim option, if conditions allow)
• ✓ Fins, mask and snorkel
• ✓ Drinks on board
• ✓ Experienced guide
• ✓ Chance to see other open-ocean animals
• ✓ Briefing on the swimming guidelines before entering the water

Not Included

• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat or cap
• Waterproof jacket, poncho or spare clothes

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Seasickness tablets, taken before boarding

Good to Know & Caveats

• Licensed whale watching and swimming is only allowed from 20 July to 20 November.
• Whale sightings and swims are never guaranteed; the whales' behavior and the sea state decide whether you can enter the water.
• Swimmers enter the water at least 100 meters from the whales and may need to swim hard to get close.
• Feeding animals and touching marine life are not allowed.
• The trip is on the open sea and can be rough; take seasickness precautions before you board.
• Watching from the boat is the fallback if you can't or don't want to swim on the day.

Meeting Point

Marina Vai'are on Moorea's east coast (Plus Code F6GF+66Q), near the Vaiare ferry port; your confirmation gives the exact start point for your option.