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Ocean Wildlife Expedition; Swim With Whales, Sharks, & Rays Half-Day Boat Tour

Name: Ocean Wildlife Expedition; Swim With Whales, Sharks, & Rays Half-Day Boat Tour
Brand: MOOREA MOANA TOURS
SKU: 51487P2
Price: 181.19 USD
Rating: 5.0 (376 reviews)

Moorea, French Polynesia

Swim with Whales Sharks Rays and Dolphins

4 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the waters of Moorea on a small-group half-day boat tour that offers the chance to snorkel near marine animals such as sharks, stingrays, and whales. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the creatures you might see, including blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, pink whiprays, leopard rays, dolphins, and humpback whales (mid-July to mid-November). Choose from a morning or afternoon departure for this small-group tour limited to eight people. Includes guide, use of snorkel equipment, beverages, fresh fruit, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Small-group half-day boat tour with wildlife snorkeling, from Ha'apiti
Look for sharks, dolphins, stingrays and whales while snorkeling from the boat
Hope to see humpback whales during their migration from mid-July to mid-November
Choice of morning or afternoon departure
Small-group tour with a maximum of eight participants ensures a more personalized experience

What's Included

Guide
Bottled water
Beverages
Fresh fruits
Live commentary on board
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Use of Snorkeling equipment
Snacks
Alcoholic Beverages

Food and drinks, unless specified
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

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Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

From July to Mid November, we organize our drop off at our departure point located next to Moorea Beach Lodge, marked by a blue flag on the road oceanshide, its private place where all our clients can park their vehicles

What To Expect

MOOREA MOANA TOURS

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum recommended age is 5 years
Recommended items: Swimsuit, towel, windjacket, cap, hat and sunscreen
Please note: In-water observation with humpback whales are not guaranteed. Local operator's priority lies both to guest safety and to respect of all wildlife encountered during tours. We will only enter the water with humpback whales after the biologist onboard has observed their surface activity and deemed it safe for both the guests and the whales. Allowing the whales to continue their natural behavior, mating rituals, and migrational movements is vital for a healthy marine environment. Government placed regulations are followed for all interactions. Whales activities (swimming and watching) are only permitted from August 1st to November 11th, before and after these dates, we can observe them from the boat in distance of 300 meters
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Mark_C

Awesome excursion. We caught this trip at the end of the whale season, but before all the whales and calves had left. We were warned a head of time that whales are sometimes hard to track and see one wasn't guaranteed, but the crew had word of a whale sighting prior to loading up the boat. We tracked some whales for a few hours and the wait paid off. Eventually we were dropped off in-between two mother whales and their calves. The most amazing experience. The crew was fun and amazing. Helpful and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend them for a future excursion.

Reviews

5.0

376 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 376 reviews

Highlight of our stay on Moorea

Steven_N, Mar 2024

Absolutely stunning. Our guide managed to bring dozens of stingrays and black tipped sharks within inches of us.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback

Best Excursion Ever.

Mark_C, Nov 2023

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Hi We are glad you get a great experience at the end of the season Hope to see you again. Thank you

Swim with whales must do!

Kara_P, Nov 2023

We saw 3 whales including a baby/mom. Doris was a great tour guide!! This experience is a must do in morrea!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you so much for your feedback

Unbelievable

MilbertIan_N, Nov 2023

Unbelievable experience, the tour was very ethical and caring towards the whales. The day was so much fun.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for joining our adventure.

Good ocean trip.

Scott_M, Nov 2023

Seeing sharks and rays in the reef area. Good boat for the ocean. Didn't like having to walk so far in the water to get to the boat.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

We appreciate your enjoyment of the excursion and your enthusiasm for seeing sharks and rays in the reef area. We apologize for the inconvenience of the walk in the water to reach the boat, as it's not possible for the boat to get closer during low tide. We hope this didn't significantly affect your overall experience. Nonetheless, we wish you a fantastic time in French Polynesia. 🌴🌊

Incredible experience!

Cheryl_R, Oct 2023

The trip was amazing! The crew worked hard to find the whales. We found some and were able to get into the water with a Mom and her baby. Incredible experience! You and Keanu were great, as was the photographer but I don’t remember her name.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

HelloThats awesome you experienced to swim with a mum and baby. We hope to see you again.

A MUST IN MOOREA

Quentin_C, Oct 2023

FANTASTIC from start to finish. Captain Robert & guide Herehia were amazing. They shared great knowledge of whales and all sea creatures around the island throughout the entire trip & made the experience so enjoyable. Herehia’s realistic yet positive approach allowed us to understand what we may or may not see. But with them both using their knowledge and fantastic navigation we were able to observe a mother a calf swimming for over half of the trip and then able to get in and swim with them at literally a few metres distance. It was an unforgettable experience that we would highly recommend!!! Thank you Herehia & Robert

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Iaorana It s looks like you got a great day with our team. Hope you get lot of memories. Thank you for your feedback

Unforgettable Excursion!

Barbara_C, Oct 2023

Awesome whale, shark and stingray excursion. Doris was extremely knowledgeable and knew where to find the whales. We saw a mama and baby from the boat but after observing she felt they had moved on so we went to another location. She quickly accessed this whale’s behaviour and instructed us to get in the water. We were greatly rewarded swimming with mama and baby. It was an unforgettable moment. They then took us to the stingray and shark area where we snorkelled with them as well. Even though it lightly rained and was an overcast day it was one for the memory books!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you so much for joining us that day. We are really happy that you enjoyed your time with our team and our beautiful whales.

Experience of a lifetime

Susan_R, Oct 2023

This was the most incredible and once of a lifetime experiences. T and her crew were experts, we ventured out and saw 4 different whales and they did everything possible (while being safe and respectful of the whales) to get us close and into the water with the whales. It was absolutely the highlight of our trip. Swimming with the rays and sharks was so much fun as well! recommend anyone who gets seasick to take something before hand as the boat is pretty small but the crew is great.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello We are so happy that you got a great experience with our team. Thank you so much

Great experience

ROBERTAJ_S, Oct 2023

We were able to see dozens of breaches of a calf and it’s mother. Caution - the ocean can be choppy with large swells that can make swimming difficult. The crew was amazing with their knowledge and patience. Highly recommend

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you so much for choosing our business. Cheers

Wonderful on the water experience.

Jennifer_M, Oct 2023

The staff was wonderful to be around and very knowledgeable of the local community and wildlife. We were able to see mama whales and their calves and then go swim with sharks and rays. Wonderful experience and T was so great to talk to about the animals.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you so much for your feed back we really appreciate.

Whales seen only while in the boat

renae_s, Oct 2023

The company is very good at communication and responding to questions. We did have three sitings of whales on the surface from the boat but never got to see them once we were in the water. We didn't even get to try the last time as we watched two other groups get in who were closer. I wish there had been a faster process of getting everyone in so we might have had a chance, and perhaps a little more assertive although it is best to respect the whales needs and of course to obey the laws . I would recommend a smaller group experience if possible. Also you really just need to be a strong kicker and snorkeler as no arms used as too disruptive to the whales. It was a disappointing day after hearing from several other fellow cruisers that they had amazing experiences with the whales on their boats. Hopefully some day in the future we will get another chance and be luckier! Our guide was very nice and helpful to everyone.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for this message. Our team always try to approach the marine wildlife with respect . Everyday are different and we can t control in advance how much time you will spend in the water in function of the situation.Private tour is always recommended if you have this possibility next time. We really appreciate that you choose our business. Best regards

Awesome trip

p5vjb6cy6w, Sep 2023

I feel like it was a little crowded but otherwise super awesome swimming with whales, sharks, and rays.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thanks for your feedback

Mauruuru!

Katya_H, Sep 2023

This tour/experience was such a great time. From the start the crew were informative, fun, and had the best spirits/vibe you could ask for. Over the course of 3 days, we swam with roughly 15 humpbacks, pilot whales, and were so close to seeing a sperm whale! I highly recommend purchasing the photography package, Louise was fun, eager, and attentive to capturing the best moments from my trip. To say the photos were amazing is an understatement. If this is your first time visiting Mo'orea, and you're wanting to experience getting up close with a Humpback whale and other marine life, I 11/10 recommend this tour. You will not be disappointed.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Big thanks from all our team, we hope to see you again.

10/10 Experience three times in a row!

Katya_H, Sep 2023

It was an honor to be on board with this crew! Exceptional experience. I will book with no other when I return! We saw whales each and every day we were on board with them. Not only humpbacks, but also pilot whales, dolphins, and nearly sperm whales!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

I m really happy that you get the chance to see sperm whales who it s a huge bonus. Than you so much for joining us

It's a MUST with this company!

Katya_H, Sep 2023

This experience was breathtaking. The first tour we took with them, after having used another company for the previous day, was definitely above and beyond what we had experienced. Very informational and they will try their best to find the whales in any conditions. We went with them 3 times! Louise was the best at capturing the most beautiful photos of both my party and the wildlife we saw. Thank you!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for your time and choosing our business.

Fantastic ocean experience

Vicki_J, Sep 2023

We made memories for a lifetime on this adventure. We snorkeled with four whales after watching a mama and baby from the boat in another location. The whales dove down and hung out 30 feet below us for a bit, long enough people to take pictures and videos and it was just surreal. We also snorkeled with Blacktip sharks and stingrays along with fish which was also really cool. I thought I would be scared but I wasn't. The staff was amazing and knowledgeable and fun.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you so much to joining us on our adventure.

Meh

Emmanuel_L, Aug 2023

The host did a terrible job communicating the pick up spot and did so at the last minute, precluding us from organizing other activities that day… never responded to the phone and invoked “personal issues” as an excuse for not communicating. The tour itself was okay… the guides were nice and somewhat lax… what is not advertised is that you have to swim tong and hard. To reach the viewing site… we did see one young whale at a distance and some stingrays… this is a wildlife tour and wild animals do what they want, I totally get it… it still does not take away the fact that the whole thing was somewhat disorganized and we felt kind of let down

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi Sorry for the bad organisation that day , we are not perfect everyday, it can happen sometimes , , specially with 100 client to manage per days. All the tours details are describe on our website and generally our guest are aware that we have to swim a certain distance because it s forbidden for the boat to get really close to the whales. We have to respect their personal space. We wish you the best for the rest of your trip.

MUST DO!

Barbara_F, Aug 2023

The tour guides were exceptional! The day was very windy and the team had alerted us we might not see the whales. However, we got in the water and we’re able to see them. One of the most memorable moments of my life! A MUST DO if you’re in Moorea!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you from the team

The best excursion you’ll book in your life

Bar_S, Aug 2023

Phenomenal tour ! This is the company to go on sea animal tour with. I had such an amazing time the first tour I took with Moorea Moana tours with my family (7,4 ,2 year old) that I booked another tour just for myself to get more time in the water with the whales in the final day of our Moorea trip . The tour guides really know their stuff and ensure to keep your safety and respect for the animals a top priority . We had so many added bonuses from the guide as well - they saw we came on board with young kids so our guide ensured to give us enough time by a lagoon with the black tip reef sharks and rays so kids get inside water experience as well (out past reef not recommended for younger kids due to sharks ) we thankfully also saw the pilot whales which was an unforgettable experience . When the tour guide saw that many boats were approaching in our direction it was their top priority we get an intimate , true snorkel experience with the animals and went to a different spot to scout the whales - we greatly appreciated it. Cannot wait to come back to Moorea and book again. 🙏

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you again to experienced the marine wildlife of Moorea With our compagny.

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