Swim with Humpback Whales in Moorea (Moorea Moana Tours)

About This Experience

Moorea Moana Tours runs this four-hour humpback swim with a biologist on board. At $393 per person it has the highest per-person price among the whale tours on this site, and it holds a 4.9 rating from 75 reviews. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a wetsuit in sizes XS to 4XL, snorkeling gear, snacks, fresh fruit and drinks, including alcoholic ones, are all part of that price.

If you drive yourself, look for the black and blue roadside flag banner marked Moorea Moana Tours, park on the grass and arrive 15 minutes before the start. The boat comes in directly onto the beach in front of the parking area, and public transport runs nearby.

The team enters the water with humpbacks only after the biologist has watched their surface activity and judged a swim safe and non-invasive for guests and whales. That means some encounters are watched from the boat, and a swim is never guaranteed. When it does happen, swimmers keep 15 m from the whales under the local rules, and a guide and live commentary on board explain what you are seeing.

It suits travelers who want gear and transport taken care of and like the idea of learning from a scientist. The minimum recommended age is 5, children must be with an adult, and the listing asks for at least a moderate level of fitness; it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, or for pregnant travelers. The operator says departures are limited and fill quickly, so book well ahead.

Bring your own towel, as towels are not included. Viator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

Highlights

• A biologist on board decides when a swim is safe for guests and whales
• The boat collects guests directly from the beach in front of the parking area
• Minimum recommended age of 5, so families with young children can join
• Swims are timed to the whales' surface activity, not to a fixed schedule
• Four hours on the open ocean during the migration season
• Rated 4.9 from 75 reviews

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
• ✓ Wetsuit (sizes XS to 4XL)
• ✓ Use of snorkeling equipment
• ✓ Guide and live commentary on board
• ✓ Bottled water, other drinks and alcoholic beverages
• ✓ Snacks and fresh fruit

Not Included

• Towels
• Food and drinks beyond those listed

What to Bring

• Swimsuit
• A towel
• A windbreaker jacket
• A cap or hat
• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
• Seasickness tablets, taken before you board

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.
• Swims are never guaranteed; the team enters the water only when the biologist judges it safe and non-invasive.
• Minimum recommended age is 5, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
• The listing asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness.
• Departures are limited, and the operator advises booking well in advance.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time through Viator.

Meeting Point

Black and blue Moorea Moana Tours roadside flag banner; park on the grass 15 minutes before the start and board on the beach in front, or use the included hotel pickup.