Private Whale Watching Adventure in Mo'orea

About This Experience

Aimeho Private Escapes runs this trip as a private charter: the boat, guide and captain are yours for four hours, and the price covers the whole group. It holds a 4.9 rating from 37 reviews, with guide Teoni and captain Julien named in several of them.

You park in the parking lot and walk down to the beach front to board, with the exact spot on your confirmation. When a big southwest swell makes that landing difficult, Aimeho moves the boarding to the Papetoai cruise ship terminal and tells you before the tour.

The guides brief you on the whales and follow the approach rules in and out of the water. Anyone who wants to swim can do so when the whales and sea allow, while others watch from the boat; the listing notes that some encounters are better seen from the deck anyway. Reviewers liked having as much time as possible with the whales without other guests, and one group on a windy, rainy day with big swells was lent rain gear to stay warm.

It suits families, couples and mixed groups where some people swim and some do not, since nobody has to fit a shared boat's schedule. The listing asks swimmers for moderate fitness and some physical aptitude, and it is not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.

The price is from $1,269 for the boat (up to six people), which works out at about $212 a head for six or about $317 a head for four. Soft drinks, bottled water and snorkeling gear are included; towels, sunscreen and transport are not. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start.

Highlights

• No other guests aboard, so your group sets the pace with the whales
• Swimmers and watchers can share the same trip
• Reviewers had as much time with the whales as conditions allowed
• Briefing on humpback behavior before the first encounter
• Backup boarding at the Papetoai cruise ship terminal when swells are big
• About $212 a head when six people share the boat

What's Included

• ✓ Private four-hour whale trip for up to six people
• ✓ Qualified guide and captain
• ✓ Briefing on the whales and the approach rules
• ✓ Carbonated soft drinks
• ✓ Bottled water
• ✓ Use of snorkeling equipment

Not Included

• Towels
• Sunscreen
• Private transportation to the boarding point

What to Bring

• Towel and swimsuit
• Mineral sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• Motion-sickness tablets, taken before boarding
• A windproof layer in case of rain or spray
• Wetsuit if you own one

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 some physical aptitude for anyone who wants to swim.
• Operators require a life jacket in the water unless you wear a wetsuit; check with Aimeho what they supply.
• Priced per group for up to six people; infants must sit on an adult's lap.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

Meeting Point

Park in the parking lot and walk down to the beach front; in big southwest swells boarding moves to the Papetoai cruise ship terminal, and Aimeho tells you beforehand.