A unique adventure meeting our humpback whales
Come on board of Mori Ora Piti to live a unique and respectful whale watching tour. From July the 20th to November the 20th
A timeless encounter : your expedition with the giants
Your journey begins with a warm welcome from our team. Once fitted with your life jacket, fins, mask, and snorkel, we will head out into the open ocean. We provide high-quality equipment, though you are welcome to bring your own "lucky" gear (specifically, you may bring your own wetsuit—3mm minimum—to replace the life jacket).
🐋 Immerse to Better Respect
Before the encounter, comes the sharing of knowledge. For about twenty minutes, your guide will share the secrets of these giants and the golden rules of a respectful approach. Our priority? Your safety and the whales' peace of mind. You will learn to read the ocean and understand the behaviors of the world around us.
✨ The Quest and Observation
With watchful eyes, we scan the horizon. Because we work with nature at its wildest and most free, every outing is a true expedition where the ocean dictates the script. We go in search of a blow, a fin, or a majestic breach. When a whale honors us with its presence, time stands still. We then take the time to listen to what it has to tell us:
- Is it in a playful mood?
- Is it a mother and her calf?
- Is it a singing male?
- Is it resting, or moving—slowly or with speed?
🤿 A Moment of Grace
The guide, drawing on years of experience, is the sole master on board when deciding if entering the water is possible. An in-water encounter remains a privilege that depends entirely on the animal's mood and receptivity. If the whale’s calm demeanor allows it, the signal is given. Silently and without splashing, you glide into the water to offer an encounter to this wild creature, which it is free to accept or decline. If the whale accepts, we will have the immense joy of experiencing an unforgettable face-to-face moment.
If entering the water is not possible out of respect for the animal's tranquility, or if the giants remain discreet that day, don’t worry: the adventure continues! We remain on the lookout, making the most of every moment to find another encounter where nature is most welcoming. Throughout the adventure, your crew will share anecdotes, striking figures, and fascinating facts about the marine life inhabiting Polynesian waters. An adventure that is both full of surprises and educational.
🥥 The Sweetness of the Return
As we set sail back to the marina, the adventure lingers through shared stories. Whether or not we had the chance to meet the whales, we offer you a refreshing homemade cocktail and some local snacks to enjoy on board. It is the perfect time to share your impressions, look through your photos, and savor the beauty of Moorea’s landscapes drifting by.
🎒 In Your Adventure Bag
To fully enjoy your time at sea, we recommend bringing:
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen (reef-safe), sunglasses, a hat, and a UV-protection shirt.
- Comfort: Your swimsuit (already on), a towel, and water.
- Memories: If you wish and if you are comfortable enough in the water, a waterproof camera or GoPro.
- Equipment: Snorkeling gear provided, or your own. Your 3mm wetsuit to replace the life jacket (optional).
- The Little Extra: A windbreaker or a change of dry clothes for the return to the dock.
The excursion : time, prices
The meeting point is at the Opunohu's marina "Moorea Yacht Club", at the kilometric point 17,2.
Morning tour : meeting at 6.45am
Afternoon tour : meeting at 11.45am.
The duration is between 3 and 4 hours, according to the weather conditions and the animals.
Our tour will start by sharing our scientifical knowledge of the marin mammals present in French Polynesia to allow you to learn more about those incredible creatures.
Price:
- Shared tour :
** With swiming option : 20 000 xpf / person (6 persons max in the water / 4 persons minimum)
** No swiming option : 10 000 xpf / person (2 seats available)
- Private tour (8 passengers max)
100 000xpf half day
180 000 xpf full day
6 persons maximum in the water
Important information
Our tours are not recommended for pregnant women and other persons who undertook major surgery (heart, joint, etc.).
Persons sensitive to seasickness are requested to take adequate precautions.
Our shared tour are not suitable for children under the age of 10.
Being in good shape is recommended for such activities more precisely knowing how to swim in the ocean with fins. Indeed the boat is not allowed to be closer to the whales than 100m, so the swimmers will need to swim at least 200m (back and forth), maybe more, in the ocean (waves, deep blue, etc.).
Humpback whales in French Polynesia
French Polynesia has become one of the biggest marine mammals sanctuary in the world in 2002. Indeed, a lot of cetaceans, dolphins and whale's species can be observed in our Polynesian waters either all year long, either seasonal.
Diverse marine mammals species can be observed such as spinner dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, grand dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, etc.
Humpback whales or Magaptera come in our waters to spend the austral winter in warm waters from July to November. They wait for the summer to go back to Antarctica to feed. In French Polynesia, they mostly rest, socialize, mate and give birth to their babies in warm waters.
Following a new regulation from the French Polynesia government and the DIREN (Direction de l’Environnement), environmental department, the whale watching excursion can take place from the 20th of July until the 20th of November. This means that before and after no whale watching tour can be booked. However, our normal sailing sunset tours and lagoon snorkeling tours are possible.
The boat, Mori Ora Piti
Mori Ora Piti is a 24 feet motor boat, semi-rigid with a 200 horse power outboard engine.
Very comfortable with lots of sitting areas and safe in the ocean waves.
A boat cover is bringing some shades inside the boat.
