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.
When?
September 22 – 28, 2026
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.
Where will we stay?
This week is so special largely because of the uniquely beautiful property at which we are based. Our picturesque 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom villa has a private white sand beach and palm trees between the shaded deck and the sea. Each room is air-conditioned, and the private gated property features a sauna and hot tub, pool and ping pong tables as well as a new bocce court. This romantic estate will sweep you off your feet with its comfortable outdoor space, phenomenal sunsets, and overall essence. It features an outside dining area, hammock, grill, and kayaks for afternoons exploring the lagoon. King sized beds for couples ensure comfort, and there are two queen sized beds in a room for singles adding on. So luxurious, our newly remodeled house even includes a private housekeeper!
Our backyard features a sandy picturesque beach with phenomenal shallow snorkeling in clear water.
What’s included?
- 6 nights accommodations in our luxury oceanfront villa
- Kayaks for adventuring on the lagoon
- Unlimited use of hot tub and sauna
- 4 days of expeditions with humpback whales on a private boat with an experienced naturalist guide
- Coffee, tea, fresh juice, light lunches of homemade quiche or coconut bread on every tour
- Private dance lesson from a professional Tahitian dancer (participation optional)
- Flower Crown workshop – learn how to weave the traditional hei po’o and design your own! (participation optional)
- Transportation from the Mo’orea Ferry Dock to our villa, and back on the departure day
- Access to rental car and transportation to all activities
- Local Polynesian meal cooked by a local chef on our final night
- Daily housekeeping. If needed, and access to our house clothes washer and dryer
- Basic snorkeling equipment on boat days. Although we recommend bringing freediving fins and your own mask for comfort and ease of open water swimming
What’s not included?
- Round trip flights to Papeete (Airport code PPT) *Hint: Try French Bee budget airlines from SFO or LAX to PPT
- Overnight hotel on the 28th near the Papeete airport before your return flight home on the 29th. (Hotels run between $180-480 per night)
- Roundtrip ferry from Tahiti to Mo’orea (typically $22-35 RT)
- Food. We share groceries and take turns cooking. Expect $250 to $450 depending upon how often you eat out. (Restaurant meals start at $20-26, drinks at $15 each)
- Alcohol *Very expensive in Tahiti, we recommend bringing your own from Duty Free
- Gratuity for boat guides, trip organizers, instructors, housekeeping, security and crew 😊 Recommended $20 per person/per day, for a total of $180
- Activities on Choose Your Own Adventure Day
Cost and Conditions?
This year is unique. We have two types of rates. Both are based on a king bed and private bathroom. One type of rate is for those swimming actively in the open ocean with the whales, the other rate is for those watching the whales from the boat. Wildlife regulations in Mo’orea now state that a private boat like ours may have 10 people on board, but when it comes to swimming with the whales, only six participants are allowed in the water. This splits our group into two types: Land Based and Open Water Based, staying in the same beautiful home, sharing the same amazing boat with naturalist guide.
Land Based Rate: $4,890 USD per person. For those who are keen to enjoy the pristine property and house but prefer to do relaxed traditional whale watching (dry) from the boat. This rate is for those who are not getting in the water to swim with whales but still want to enjoy all this remarkable private property and luxury home have to offer. But don’t worry! Land based guests do not have to stay dry the entire trip…snorkeling with the friendly sharks and rays is available, over coral reefs in the lagoon or anytime in front of the house, but not physically in the water with humpbacks.
Open Water Based Rate: $7,200 USD per person. This includes four days actively swimming in the water with the whales. In this rate category, you meet the whales and may observe them at a respectful distance in the ocean in the care of our naturalist guide, with the opportunity to take underwater photos and videos of them, while the Land Based rate only includes whale watching dry from the boat. Must be able to swim 300 feet/100 meters in the ocean and be comfortable snorkeling.
A deposit of $2,000 holds your place.
Payment plan of $500 to 1,000 per month. Half trip price paid by January 1st, 2026. Full expedition price paid by June 1st, 2026.
The expedition will happen with a minimum of 4 people. It’s a small group of friends trip, we max out at 9 people total, with just 6 Open Water participants and 3 Land Based participants.
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 find someone else to take your spot.
If we don’t reach the minimum of 4 people, or the trip is postponed due to Covid reasons, we will fully refund everyone after September 2026.
Logistics and Itinerary:
September 21st – Fly into Papeete (PPT) the evening before our group meets and stay the night in PPT in a hotel independently or arrive on the French Bee flight the morning of September 22nd. (We recommend the Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel in Papeete which is conveniently located just across the street from the ferry dock.)
On September 22nd – Our retreat begins! We can check into the house today at 3pm. Take the 45-minute Aremiti scenic ferry from Papeete to Mo’orea where you will be picked up at the Mo’orea ferry terminal by Tim and Sara. Check in and meet the friends! Enjoy a basic late 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.
September 23rd: Our first whale boat trip to swim with humpbacks is at 9:45 today! Wake up slow on the comfortable couch on the patio sipping a cup of coffee watching the stingrays cruise by our private beach. Then we will load the van and leave the house at 9:30. We have our own private boat, with an amazing crew. Aboard, 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. Our depth will be shallow – no freediving as the mother whales see this as an advance towards them and may feel threatened and leave. So 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 quite often, so once we spot a pair, 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, with lots of swimming, and heart-melting moments with these gentle giants. Trip ends at 1:30 with vegetable quiche and fresh fruit served on the boat.
We return to the villa to shower, 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. We will prepare a large meal together at home tonight.
September 24th: Charge your GoPros! Another private whale swim expedition today at 9:45am on our private boat. After our swim with whales excursion, enjoy a light lunch and fruit on the boat.Tour ends 1:30. Afternoon free. Dinner out at a local hotspot where the extensive menu boasts 127 options!
September 25th: A special sunrise expedition today. Leaving the house at 5:00am, we will enjoy a magical sunrise from the boat as the day breaks over the turquoise sea. Leaving at this time allows us to take photos and videos at the sharks and rays hotspot easily as we have the location to ourselves. Choose to view them from the boat or hop in to meet these gentle beings face to face. After giggling with our elasmobranch friends, our expert captain will head us in whatever direction is calmest, and we will search for whales, dolphins and rays that are open to swimming with us. Trip ends at 9:30am. Return home to the villa to refresh before enjoying lunch at a local hot spot. 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.
September 26th: Choose Your Own Adventure today! Would you like to get back into the water with whales, or go for a scuba dive? It’s up to you. Perhaps, after already having several days in the water, you’d like to take a dry day and explore the island! Visit the gorgeous Belvedere overlook where you can see two magnificent bays framed by Mo’orea’s impressive mountain peaks. Feeling active? Take a guided hike to a swing at the tip of the mountains. Prefer to lounge? Sunbathe or snorkel 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. Or stay dry and do some black pearl shopping. Perhaps you’d like to stay home and enjoy our oceanfront couch, hanging swings or hammock with a good book. Today’s activities are an add on charge depending upon the style of adventure you choose.
September 27th: Morning whale expedition on our private boat from 9:45 to 1:30. Free afternoon to organize and pack your bags. Afterwards, enjoy a bocce game in the back yard, or play pool with the friends, finish that last chapter of your book in the nest swings on the porch, or review drone footage with Tim.
As a special treat tonight, our group will enjoy a traditional Polynesian meal, including the national dish, cooked for us by our private local chef!
September 28th: Last sunrise in paradise. Enjoy a quiet morning at our estate’s private beach, choose to snorkel or kayak our colorful house reef, or get in some last-minute packing in today until 10:00. Checkout from our villa is 11am. After shuttling the group members who may be extending their stay on island to drop luggage at their next hotel, we will enjoy one last lunch today as a family before Tim and Sara deliver you to the ferry terminal for the 1:45pm Aremiti ferry back to the mainland of Tahiti.
-Overnight in mainland Papeete hotel (not included, so book ahead) near the PPT airport for your flight out tomorrow. We recommend the Hilton hotel in Papeete, or the Boutique Kon Tiki.
September 29th – Fly back to the USA from PPT. Bye, bye, Tahiti. Best wishes. Thanks for all the fish!
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