This once in a lifetime trip will bring you face to face with mother and baby humpback whales in the most incredible setting imaginable

Where?

Mo’orea, French Polynesia, a 45-minute scenic ferry from the PPT airport. A little heart shaped island surrounded by a barrier reef system giving it one of the most unique surrounding lagoons in the world. With its undiscovered feel, crystal clear warm waters and towering emerald peaks, this island is sure to capture your heart like it did ours.

What’s out there?

Every year between July and November, hundreds of humpback whales journey from Antartica to Mo’orea to mate, give birth and raise their calves. You can expect to see whales from the boat, and whales underwater on our snorkel expeditions. After experiencing every tour operator for ourselves, we can ensure you are only going out with the best. Our trips feature private boats with the most experienced captains and beloved naturalists that specialize in whale behavior and observation. Our goal is to swim with humpbacks in the most respectful and connecting manner possible.

You may also meet pinktail whiprays – gentle, harmless but curious stingrays during our lunch breaks in the lagoon. These, as well as black tip reef sharks are found at specific locations far from the whales, and it will be your choice to observe them from the boat or in the water as they pass by peacefully.

Mo’orea’s waters are also known for pilot whales, as well as dolphins, turtles and eagle rays and occasionally oceanic white tips.

Having a barrier reef is a bonus, allowing for sheltered vibrant corals surrounding the island in shallow calm water which is why the whales are here to have their babies.

Mo’orea is very conscious of its coral health and human impact. Scientists, researchers and marine biologists are monitoring and attempting to maintain the health of the surrounding corals in the lagoon, as well as growing different types of coral and replenishing diminished reefs. These coral trees sit in about 60 feet of water. Corals on Mo’orea are unlike any you’ve ever seen with vibrant colors and abundant life in the shallows of the lagoon.

Where will we stay?

The Barefoot Bliss house is an upscale gated property in a quiet area of Mo’orea, known for its powder soft beaches and gorgeous lagoon views. The brand new 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom house has air-conditioning in the bedrooms and a beautiful unobscured view of the sea. Amazing snorkeling right from the beach, where we’ve seen turtles, eagle rays and pink whiptail rays!

Barefoot Bliss Open Trip Design

Enjoy exploring this picturesque little island with like-minded water lovers. Connect to the ocean through the eyes of the humpbacks and come home to your very own slice of paradise. Wake up to the light breeze in the palms and enjoy sunsets from our private beach. This trip features sunrise trips – watching the day break over the water and the ocean creatures wake up beneath the boat as it glides over the water through the lagoon. Morning is usually the best time of day for water sports – lightest wind and most desirable conditions. And, by getting out at sunrise, we have the advantage of finding our own whales without any other boats around. One-on-one quality time in the water with a momma humpback and her baby can be a magical experience. Start your morning off with a smile and make a once in a lifetime memory with our sunrise expeditions.

Our Barefoot Bliss trip is designed to fit your schedule – rather you need time in a beautiful setting for journaling and yoga, or if you’d like to adventure every day hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving and shooting photos in the water — we have included Choose Your Own Adventure days that can be as jam packed or as wide open as you choose. It’s your vacation time – we’ve included our favorite life changing activities in the mornings and have left the rest of the time open to your design.

What’s included?

• 6 nights accommodations in our oceanfront villa
• Kayaks and paddleboards for adventuring on the lagoon
• 4 days of intimate encounters with humpback whales off a private boat with an experienced naturalist guide
• Transportation from the Mo’orea ferry dock to our Barefoot Bliss estate, and back to the ferry on the departure day
• Tahitian dance lesson with a local professional dancer
• Flower Crown Workshop – learn how to weave this traditional hei po’o beauty and design your own
• Fresh fruit, juices and snacks on the boat
• Snorkeling at the shark and stingray hotspot
• Free Wifi and laundry at the house
• Transportation to your optional activities around the island on the Choose Your Own Adventure day
• Dinner last night prepared by an excellent local chef

What’s not included?

• Round trip flights to Papeete (Airport code PPT) *Hint: Try French Bee budget airlines from SFO or LAX to PPT (Book flights as soon as you can to capture their $350 price each way)
• Overnight hotel near the Papeete airport before your return flight home on the 13th (Hotels run between $180 and 480 per night)
• Roundtrip ferry from Tahiti to Mo’orea (typically $22-35 RT)
• Food (To keep costs low, we generally cook large meals together at the house and split the grocery tab. You are welcome to eat out on your own anytime if you prefer.) Expect to pay somewhere between $250 and 450 for your portion of the grocery bill
• Alcohol *Very expensive in Tahiti, we recommend bringing your own from Duty Free as you fly in
• Tips for trip organizers, boat guides, dance instructor, chef and crew 😊 Approx $20 per person per day for a total of $120
• Choose Your Own Adventure Activities such as scuba diving, guided hikes or extra whale swims (Budget between $80 to 260 depending on activity)

The trip price is $4,300 USD per person for room share in air-conditioned queen rooms. Private rooms with ensuite bathroom available at an additional cost, but space is extremely limited.

A deposit of $1,000 holds your place.

Flexible payment plan. $1,200 due by January 1st, and full expedition price paid by June 1st, 2026.

The expedition will happen with a minimum of 6 people. It’s a small group of friends trip, we max out at 12 people.

We want things to be fair for everyone. This is why, in case of cancellation, we will fully refund you if we are able to someone else to take your spot.

If we don’t reach the minimum of 6 people, or the trip is postponed due to Covid reasons, we will fully refund everyone after October 2026.

Logistics and Itinerary:

Arrival dates have two options of either October 4/5th depending upon your flight choice (red-eye or direct).

October 4th – Fly into Papeete (PPT) the evening before our group meets and stay the night in PPT in a hotel independently. (We recommend the Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel in Papeete which is conveniently located just across the street from the ferry dock.)

-or- arrive on the French Bee flight the morning of October 5th.

October 5th – Our retreat begins! Take the 45-minute Aremiti scenic ferry from Papeete to Mo’orea (8 am ferry time if you’ve flown in that morning, or 11:45am if you stayed in a Papeete hotel last night). Pickup from Mo’orea ferry terminal by Tim and Sara. Check in and meet the friends! Enjoy a basic lunch in our villa as you settle into your new home for the week. We will do a grocery shopping run this afternoon to stock the house. Take a dip in the calm sea from our sandy beach before enjoying dinner together prepared at home. Group briefing tonight over dinner and wine answering questions and discussing the plan for our incredible week ahead.

October 6th: Our first whale boat trip to swim with humpbacks is at SUNRISE today! Leave the house at 5:20am. We have our own private boat, with an amazing crew. Boat ride includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate and coconut bread, and returns at 9:30 am.

We will stop at the sharks and rays hotspot first, while no other boats are present, making photos and videos here an absolute dream. Choose to view them from the boat or hop in to meet these gentle beings face to face. After we have had our heart’s fill of elasmobranchs, we will get back on the boat to focus on finding whales.

Our naturalist guide will describe whale behavior and safe swimming practices. When we see a group of whales, our naturalist will determine if they are open to spending time with us or not. We do not chase whales, we coexist with them. Please note, Mo’orea rule: Our depth will be shallow – no freediving below 10 feet as the mother whales see this as an advance towards them and may feel threatened and leave. Our depth will be shallow – no freediving as the mother whales see this as an advance towards them and may feel threatened and leave. Instead, to earn their trust, we will float on the surface observing and inviting the babies to play. Be prepared to back up if they approach to show off for us!

The whales move often, and we will enter the water and swim to their location, rather than being dropped in too close, hoping to not spook them. Expect a fun day in the sun off and on the boat, lots of swimming and heart-melting moments with these gentle giants.  Trip ends at 9:30am.

After showering and rinsing gear, we will keep the rest of the day low key to acclimate, with an outing to a wonderful local hot spot for lunch. This family-based restaurant serves the very best food on the island from plastic picnic tables in their backyard! A true Anthony Bourdain style experience! Try the local’s favorite – marinated tuna served in a giant seashell with cucumber, tomato, onion and ginger in coconut milk. We also recommend the grilled ahi with garlic butter, rice and fries.

Tonight, enjoy the sunset from the oversized chairs at the edge of the ocean and soak in the tranquility. We will prepare a large meal together at home.

October 7th: Charge your go pros! You have the entire morning for adventures (kayak to the neighboring tiny island to hunt for shells?) or work simultaneous on your tan and your book while relaxing before our afternoon whale expedition. Our whale trip is from 1:45pm to 5:30pm today!

October 8th: Rinse and repeat. After a morning of your own design, hop on bord our private boat to spend quality time with the whales from 1:45pm to 5:30pm.

Dinner out tonight at an Asian Fusion restaurant whose menu boasts over 125 different items – including fried rice served seven different ways, crispy pork, curries, spring rolls, duck, garlic shrimp, chicken cashew, or a variety of vegetarian options.

October 9th: Choose your own adventure! You have the whole beautiful day before you – perfect for an adventure of your choice! Looking for quality water time? Snorkel, paddle, scuba dive with our favorite safety and nature minded company or rent a little motorboat out to visit the black tip reef sharks and swim with the friendly pink tail stingrays. Explore the island, lounge on a white beach… your pick!

Maybe you’d like to take a break from the water and explore the island on foot! Visit the gorgeous Belvedere overlook where you can see two magnificent bays framed by Mo’orea’s impressive mountain peaks. Or, sunbathe at the local’s favorite spot – a long, long white stretch of beach with broken seashells and coral amongst old growth palm trees with a colorful shallow reef within the break wall. Snorkel here with the electric-colored corals, or stay dry and do some black pearl shopping. Today is a choose your adventure kind of day. Transportation included – Tim and Sara will happily drop you off and pick you up, but additional costs for chosen activities today (i.e. scuba diving, motor-boat rental, black pearl souvenirs) are extra and separate from total trip price.

October 10th: Todays private whale expedition is form 9:45 to 1:30. Juice, fruit and a light lunch of vegetarian quiche will be served on board.

We return to the villa to shower and rinse gear, before our local dance instructor arrives for a two-hour lesson under the palm trees in our backyard. Create your own gorgeous hei po’o (flower crown) with fresh flowers and learn the basic steps of Tahitian dance. Participation is optional, choose to sit and cheer on your friends and family, or hop in to try a few moves on the grassy lawn facing the sea.

Pack your bags tonight. Dinner together, enjoying a Polynesian style meal cooked by a local chef.

October 11th: Sleep in, enjoy a morning at home, or wake to greet the sun with a cup of coffee as it rises over the patio. Mid-morning, pull yourself from the chair on our beach, dust the sand off your toes and gather your bags. We check out of the house today at 11am before catching the 1:45 Aremiti ferry back to Papeete. Tim and Sara will transport you to the ferry dock (or your hotel if you choose to extend your time in Mo’orea).

*Overnight in Papeete hotel October 4th and 11th (not included, so book ahead) near the PPT airport for your flight out tomorrow. The French Bee flight leaves at 7am, and is the best cost option. Book this flight and the hotel months ahead if you can!

October 12th: Fly back home. Bye, bye, Tahiti. Best wishes. Thanks for all the fish!

Have questions? Ready to sign up? Contact us!

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