Swimming with whales in Moorea (French Polynesia): everything you need to know
Updated: Aug 21
French Polynesia is one of the incredible destinations where you can swim with humpback whales in the wild. Whale encounters are strictly regulated by the French Polynesian government to protect the animals, making swimming with whales here a truly magical experience rather than a tourist trap.
Moorea is considered one of the best places in French Polynesia to swim with humpback whales, as large numbers of whales migrate to the waters surrounding the island each year. However, it's also possible to book whale-watching and swimming tours from Tahiti, Bora Bora and several other islands.
When can you swim with whales in Moorea, French Polynesia?
From late July onwards, hundreds of humpback whales migrate to the waters around Moorea to mate and give birth to their calves. They usually remain in the area until around early November.
For the 2026 season, swimming with whales is permitted from July 20 until November 20, between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. August and September are generally considered some of the best months to visit, as you'll have a great chance of finding whales during this period.
If you're joining an early-morning tour, keep in mind that you aren't allowed to enter the water before 7:30 AM. If your guides spot whales earlier, you'll have to wait on the boat until you're officially allowed to enter the water.
Where can you swim with whales in French Polynesia?
Several whale tours depart from Moorea and Tahiti every day during whale season. In Moorea, many excursions depart from Tiahura. There's a small harbour here where several tour operators keep their boats, although some companies depart from other locations around the island.
With most tours, you'll need to arrange your own transportation to the harbour, although some operators offer a pick-up and drop-off service for an additional fee. We were staying nearby, so we could simply walk to the harbour.
Whale excursions also depart from Tahiti. Since Tahiti is located close to Moorea, some tours travel towards the waters around Moorea to search for whales. As a result, tours departing from Tahiti can sometimes be more expensive.
You can also join a whale tour from Bora Bora. However, Moorea is one of the most popular places for whale encounters and generally offers excellent opportunities during the season.
Another fantastic place to see humpback whales is the island of Rurutu. But, Rurutu is located around 500 kilometres from Tahiti and Moorea and approximately 666 kilometres from Bora Bora. Because of its remote location, the island is often skipped on a typical French Polynesia itinerary.
What is a whale swimming tour in Moorea like?
Most tour operators offer two or three excursions a day, usually one in the morning or around midday and another later in the day. Your chances of spotting whales aren't necessarily better in the morning than in the afternoon, so the time of day doesn't matter too much. Sometimes you're unlucky, while other days you can be incredibly lucky.
Tours generally include snorkelling equipment, fins, a guide and drinks. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, a towel and something to eat. We'd also recommend wearing or renting a wetsuit or bringing some warm clothes. Once you're wet and back on the boat, it can get surprisingly chilly.
The excursion usually starts with a safety briefing. Your guides will explain the rules, what to look out for before entering the water and what to do if you encounter sharks. After all, you'll be swimming in the open ocean. The chances of encountering a dangerous shark are small, but it isn't impossible.
After the briefing, you'll head out to sea and the guides will start searching for whales. They usually look for the plumes of water created when whales surface to breathe through their blowholes. Once whales have been located, the guides may lower a special hydrophone into the water. This allows you to hear the whales singing underwater, which is an incredible experience in itself.
When conditions are suitable and the guides determine that it's safe and permitted to enter the water, it's time to swim. You'll often be able to see the whales deep below you first and then wait for them to come to the surface to breathe. Depending on the whale and its behaviour, this may happen roughly every twenty minutes.
Depending on how long it took to find the whales, you'll either return to the harbour afterwards or continue searching for another group.
We booked our whale swimming tour with Moorea Expedition and had a great experience with them. Moorea Moana Tours is another well-known operator offering whale excursions in Moorea.
How much does swimming with whales in Moorea cost?
Swimming with whales in Moorea, or on one of the other islands in French Polynesia, isn't cheap. The French Polynesian government has tightened regulations surrounding whale encounters, limiting the number of people who can participate. As a result, prices have increased as well. For the 2026 whale season, expect to pay around €250 to €280 per person for a half-day tour.
Do you need to be a strong swimmer?
Don't underestimate the swimming involved during a whale tour in Moorea. The boat won't simply drop you right next to a whale. Depending on the situation and the regulations, you may have to swim around 100 to 150 metres before reaching a suitable viewing position.
You'll also be swimming in the open ocean, so you need to be a reasonably confident swimmer to keep up with both your group and the whales. Life jackets may be required, and you shouldn't simply jump from the boat into the water. Sudden movements and noise can disturb the whales and may also attract unwanted attention from other marine life. Instead, follow your guide's instructions, enter the water calmly and try to keep your fins underneath the surface while swimming to minimise noise.
Always stay close to your guide, especially if you encounter other marine animals such as sharks.
Do you need to book a whale tour in advance?
The short answer: yes!
Because protecting the whales is a priority in Moorea and the rest of French Polynesia, mass tourism around the animals isn't allowed. For the 2026 season, the number of boats and swimmers allowed around a whale is limited. According to the regulations applicable to tours during this season, a maximum of three boats can be present around the same whale, each boat can carry a maximum of six participants, and no more than seven people can be in the water at the same time.
And although there's a good chance of encountering humpback whales during the season, remember that they're still wild animals. No tour operator can guarantee that you'll see whales or actually get the opportunity to swim with them. Want to increase your chances? Consider booking more than one whale tour on different days during your stay in Moorea.
