Where to Swim With Whales: the 15 Best Trips Worldwide

1.Whale Dream ltd – Whales watching and swim with dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews Our pick

Meet at 6am in Rivière Noire for a private four-hour boat trip with Whale Dream. The crew uses a hydrophone to locate sperm whales, then looks for spinner and bottlenose dolphins. You may swim with dolphins and snorkel, but swimming with whales is prohibited in Mauritius. Snacks, soft drinks, and equipment are included.

“Had the most amazing once in a lifetime experience with Whale Dream. We were lucky to spot an entire family of whales. The best part was that the crew was very respectful of the whales and kept a distance from them. While there are other Read more”

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2.Swimming with Whales in Moorea (Half Day tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 264 reviews · from $305

Spend four hours on the water with Moorea Expedition, searching for humpback whales from July through late November. Guides such as Johnny, Joe, and Laura give clear safety instructions, help strong swimmers enter the water, and may point out dolphins, rays, sharks, and turtles. The boat holds no more than six people for whale swimming.

“We had an amazing day out with the whales. Our guides and captain were so knowledgeable and made sure to keep everyone safe and having a good time. We were lucky enough to get in the water three times today. Saw dolphins and whales. What an amazing experience. Thanks Moorea Expeditions!”

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3.Whale Tour – Observe and swim with whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · from $270

From Moorea, Enjoy Boat Tours takes you into open water to look for humpback whales, dolphins, and sharks. You may enter the water only when conditions and animal behavior allow. The crew may include guides such as Joaquin, Carlos, Tamuti, or Ike, with no more than seven people in the water at once.

“Swimming with the humpback whales was amazing. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Carlos and the Captain did a great job spotting the whales and taking us to the perfect spot. We were able to see a Mom and her baby. All undescribable and breathtaking. Carlos even starting playing with th baby and the baby humpback mimicked him. Then they took us to swim with the turtles and the sting rays and sharks. One of our best expereinces ever!!”

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4.Swim with humpback whales

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

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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5.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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6.Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

Set out from Funchal with Rota dos Cetáceos on a 2.5-hour search for wild whales and dolphins. A marine biologist explains local sea life while land lookouts help locate animals. You may swim with dolphins or turtles when conditions and permitted species allow. Boats carry 18 or 36 people, and guides speak Portuguese, English, and French.

“I couldn’t go as I had food poisoning the night before and was feeling to ill to go on the trip Contacted the tour 2 hours before the trip to say the situation and to see if I could change for a few days later but it was to short notice I thought they could of changed the date as I couldn’t help getting food poisoning”

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7.Swim with Whales in Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $80Best value

Meet at Mug & Beans Cafe in Southport for a 2.5-hour trip aboard Game Changer, a small boat limited to 12 people. You can join the water as a whale swimmer or stay on deck as an observer. Wetsuits are supplied in winter, along with life jackets and snorkel gear. The whales decide what happens next.

“was such an amazing experience, don’t they if you they don’t come straight away! they do end up coming and it is such and amazing experience we even saw some dolphins! just be prepared if the waves are choppy !”

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8.WHALE TOUR – Watching and Swimming with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $327

Join Temoana Tours in Moorea for a four-hour whale-watching and swimming trip limited to six people. Guides Henua and Nicolas search for humpback whales, then place you in the water only when sea conditions and whale behavior allow. Pickup may be available, and the open boat can feel rough in wind or rain.

“Wow! This is truly an incredible experience. We saw a mother and baby; they got so close to us! You definitely need to be a decent swimmer. Our guide, Nicolas, and boat driver, Henua, were knowledgable, skilled, and accommodating. They Read more”

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9.Sacred Experience Swimming with a Whale in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $157

Join captain Anthony and local guide Averii from Moorea Reo Tours for a four-hour search for humpback whales from Marina Vai’are. Up to six people may enter the water, while observers can stay aboard. Expect a careful briefing, changing sea conditions, whale behavior guidance, tropical fruit, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

“This experience was amazing!!! 10/10 recommend. Cannot wait to see the footage! They were so knowledgable on whale behavior and that helped in our attempt to swim with them! Do this!!!”

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10.Swim with Whales Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $286

Set out from Chinderah at 6:30 am for a four-hour search for humpback whales near Coolangatta, the Gold Coast, and Tweed Heads. Your small group, capped at nine, gets wetsuits, snorkel gear, and spray jackets. A sighting is guaranteed, but a swim depends entirely on whale behavior, weather, and sea conditions.

“Changing room on the street, wareing wet Wetsuit , almost lots a direction and not sure where whales going and spent almost all our time for searching .”

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11.Western Australia: Swim with Humpback Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 8 hours · from $467

Spend a full day from Coral Bay exploring Ningaloo Reef and the open sea. You may snorkel with turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and fish before entering the water in small groups near migrating humpback whales. Guides such as Paula and Marina, when rostered, keep the day calm, safe, and well organized.

“A great 10 hour activity that was facilitated by enthusiastic and supportive guides. All the weather challenges were overcome to make this a “bucket list” activity.”

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12.Observe and Swim with Whales in Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

From Te Moana Tahiti Resort, join a captain and guide such as Johannes for a three-hour whale outing in Tahiti’s waters. Look for humpback whales and calves, learn respectful swimming practices, and use the included mask, fins, snorkel, and towel. Whale swims depend on sea and animal conditions, with turtle snorkeling as a welcome extra.

“Fun trip, saw several whales. Didn't get to swim with them, but that made sense. Conditions have to be right for the swim plus the whales have to be chilling out in an area not on the move. Still it was a great trip.”

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13.Swim with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 4 hours · from $268

Join Cooly Eco Adventures for a four-hour whale swim from Chinderah Bay. An experienced skipper, in-water guide, and crew take you offshore in a small group, usually limited to eight people, for soft in-water encounters with humpback whales. You must swim independently and have previous snorkeling experience.

“Excellent! Wouldn’t change anything! Will repeat in no time 😻”

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14.Swim with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 11 reviews · from $231

Join Blue Seafaris for a 3.5-hour whale swim from the Gold Coast. A marine biologist guides up to seven people aboard a fast rigid inflatable boat, using whale behavior to seek a safe in-water encounter. Sightings are guaranteed, but swimming depends on the whales. Premium 5mm wetsuits, masks, and fins are included.

“Not good experience with limited time see the whales The tours guys are nice and informative, helpful for different situations However, the activity is not worth to spend that much in my experience.”

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15.Swim with Humpback Whales: Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $184

Join Chelsea, Christian, and a small crew from Mooloolaba for a four-hour humpback whale swim. The boat carries no more than six participants plus guides, with fins, mask, and wetsuit supplied. You may watch whales from the boat or enter the water only when the crew decides conditions and whale behavior are suitable.

“A unique and exceptional experience. We were lucky enough to swim with whales. The team, Chelsea and Christian, were amazing and respectful of the animals. There were six of us on board, and I couldn't have asked for better organization. Everything was perfect. Thank you 🙏”

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