Moorea Humpback Whale Tour: Watch or Swim

About This Experience

Enjoy Boat Tours Moorea runs this four-hour whale trip in two versions: one for swimmers, with six places, and one for observers who stay on board, with four places. It is the most-reviewed Moorea whale tour on this site, with a 4.9 rating from 327 reviews, and at $179 per person it is also the cheapest one here that includes the chance to swim.

Departures are at 8:00 am and 1:30 pm from the parking lot of the Coco Beach restaurant on Moorea's north coast, and the operator asks you to arrive 10 minutes early. The boat heads out beyond the reef to look for humpbacks, and the crew also watches for pilot whales and open-ocean sharks.

On the swim option, getting in the water depends on the sea state, the whales' behavior, the guide's assessment and the rules in force that day, and the final call rests with the captain and guide. Swimmers must wear the buoyancy vest provided, or a 3 mm neoprene wetsuit of their own, keep their distance from the whales and leave the water when the guide asks. After the whale search the trip ends with a snorkel in the lagoon among rays and blacktip reef sharks, in shallow water where you can stand.

The observer option suits non-swimmers and people who mainly want to watch, though one 3-star reviewer found the trip better for swimmers than for photographing whales from the boat. When booking, check that you have picked the right option, as reviewers point out that only one includes swimming. The listing asks for a high level of physical fitness, swimmers must be able to swim properly, and minors must be with a responsible adult.

Snorkeling gear, bottled water and a dry compartment are included; towels, sunscreen, a wetsuit and transport are not. Prices start from $179 per person. Viator lists free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, while the operator's own terms on the listing ask for cancellations 72 hours ahead, so read both before you book. The operator also gives no refund if you cut the trip short because of seasickness.

Highlights

• Two options on one listing: six swimmer places and four observer places
• Morning (8:00 am) and afternoon (1:30 pm) departures
• Lagoon snorkel after the whale search, in shallow water where you can stand
• Chance of pilot whales and open-ocean sharks besides humpbacks
• 4.9 from 327 reviews, the most-reviewed Moorea whale tour on this site
• From $179, the lowest price among the Moorea whale tours here that include a swim

What's Included

• ✓ Four-hour boat trip beyond the reef
• ✓ Buoyancy vest for the swim option
• ✓ Use of snorkeling equipment
• ✓ Bottled water
• ✓ Dry compartment for your belongings

Not Included

• Towels
• Sunscreen
• 3 mm neoprene wetsuit
• Transport to the meeting point

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
• A 3 mm wetsuit, if you own one and prefer it to the vest
• Seasickness tablets, taken before you board
• A dry layer for the ride back

Good to Know & Caveats

• Whale tours run only in French Polynesia's legal season, 20 July to 20 November, between 07:30 and 17:30.
• The operator states that whales are never guaranteed; swims depend on sea state, whale behavior and the guide's assessment.
• The listing asks for a high level of physical fitness, and swimmers must be able to swim properly.
• Swimmers must wear the buoyancy vest provided or a 3 mm neoprene wetsuit, without exception.
• Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• No refund for seasickness or for leaving early, and the boat does not turn back on request except in an emergency.

Meeting Point

Coco Beach restaurant parking lot on Moorea's north coast; departures at 8:00 am and 1:30 pm, arrive 10 minutes early.