9 Unmissable Humpback Whale Tours in French Polynesia

1.Swim with humpback whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · from $264Our pick

From Moorea, Corallina Tours takes you by boat to search for humpback whales between July and early November. Guides such as Francesca, Tamahere, and Maui explain how to approach the animals, then lead you to a lagoon with rays and black-tip sharks. Expect open-water swimming, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and a maximum of 12 people.

“I highly recommend this outfit. The people giving the tour make all the difference. They explained things well in both English and French so you always felt included. They were always very helpful and very fun to spend the day. It was an amRead more”

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2.Humpback whale watching and marine life in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $327

Spend about three hours on Moorea’s Pacific waters with Pacifik Attitude, searching for humpback whales and other marine life. Guides such as Mata, Doris, O’Neil, and Andrew explain whale behavior, lead safe swims when conditions allow, and help you spot dolphins, turtles, rays, sharks, and colorful fish. Whale watching runs July 20 through November 20.

“It was wonderful trip on the boat with Doris and Captain Chewy! They did all their best to look for the whales :) We have heard the whale singing and a whale mum with a baby humpback!”

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3.Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $1,640

Join Mana Moorea Tours aboard the Mana’hau for a private four-hour trip around Moorea. Guides including Nicky and Fabien tailor the route to your group, with whale watching from July to November, plus snorkeling with rays, sharks, turtles, and other marine life. Equipment and safety gear are supplied, and pickup is available.

“What an incredible experience we had with Nicky and Fabien! Not only were they knowledgeable, you could tell how passionate they were about each whale/dolphin/fish we saw. They had our safety as their top priority and were very in tuned to each whale's movementRead more”

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4.Swim in Moorea with Humpback Whales and More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $412

From July 20 to November 20, join Robert, Mareva, and a marine biologist for a four-hour Moorea boat trip focused on humpback whales. If conditions and whale behavior allow, you can enter the water with them. The small group may also spot dolphins, beaked whales, pilot whales, and pelagic sharks. Gear, wetsuits, snacks, drinks, and hotel transfers are included.

“Incredible experience with Robert and Mareva. Mareva is very experienced and we had an exceptional show, it was a dream for us. Thanks to them, I highly recommend.Auto-translated”

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5.Half-Day Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $236

Join Captain Tamatoa and a certified crew for a four-hour whale encounter from Coco Beach Restaurant in Moorea. After a safety briefing, you’ll search the coast for returning humpbacks and may enter the water when conditions are safe. Swimming is optional, groups are limited to 12, and no more than 6 people enter the water at once.

“Perhaps you’re a little apprehensive about swimming in open water with whales? I know I was, but once you see these magnificent creatures up close your fears will disappear and be replaced with awe and inspiration. You should be a good Read more”

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6.4 Hours of Humpback Whale Watching in Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $127Best value

Search Tahiti’s waters for humpback whales with naturalist guides including Luo, Julien, or Bastien. You’ll first watch from a spacious boat while guides explain whale behavior and play their songs through a hydrophone. If conditions and whale behavior allow, confident snorkelers may enter the water. Groups are limited to 12.

“Luo is so friendly and knowledgeable, she shared many knowledge and experience with us, and offered lots of help!”

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7.4 Hour Private Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Join TAMA Tours Moorea for a private four-hour search for humpback whales along Moorea’s coast. After a safety briefing, your certified English- and French-speaking crew assesses conditions before any swim begins. You can stay aboard if you prefer. The trip includes snacks, pickup, and a small group of up to six people.

“We went on a half day private tour with TAMA and had a fabulous time. They went above and beyond to help us have the best possible encounters of the day, including letting us back in the water even though time had run out and it was tiRead more”

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8.Watch and Swim with Humpback Whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $267

Meet humpback whales off Moorea during a four-hour boat trip with KoaBoatTour. The group is limited to four people plus a guide, giving you more space and personal attention in the water. Snorkeling gear, drinks, ponchos, and life jackets are included. Whale encounters depend on weather and wildlife conditions.

“Perfect!!! We swam with humpback whales and suddenly we met a Spermwhale and jumped in with that as well! WOW!!”

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9.Whale watching DE Humpback West Coast of Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $167

Join guides Jordan and Romuald from Taapuna, Puna’auia, for a four-hour small-group search for humpback whales. The locally built boat carries up to eight people, with water, snacks, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment included. If conditions and whale behavior allow, confident swimmers may enter the ocean, while non-swimmers can watch from the boat.

“A great experience, the treatment with Romu very easy and the perfect excursion, we saw a male whale and bathed us with it, great everything.Auto-translated”

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