French Polynesia August/September 2024 Whale Snorkeling Trips

Imagine being picked up by a boat directly from your hotel jetty. A trip where you can have a close encounter with a whale 10 minutes after leaving the dock. A location that puts you in warm, clear water, takes one-third of the time to get to compared to other humpback whale destinations and costs half the price. A trip where the operator never cuts a whale encounter short. A trip where you are on a boat with a small group of people (6 or 8) compared to 20 people on the “day boats”. This is the amazing trip that Scott Gietler experienced, and has put together for you to enjoy – a trip of a lifetime. Scott had whale encounters every day he was on the water. Snorkel only, no dive certification required!

On this trip, we have two different trip options available. Our Standard Package is based at Hotel Kaveka and uses a smaller boat for a maximum of 6 people including the Trip Leader. Our Upgraded Package is based at Manava Beach Resort & Spa and takes advantage of a more spacious boat with 2 guides, but still for only 8 people. See the package details for more information and the trip dates for when each trip is running.

To get a little insight as to what the trip is like, read the reports from our 2019, 2020, and 2021 trips! Humpback whale season is from August 1st to November 1st. All trips are at the peak of the season.

Choose from the following dates

• AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 7

  • Standard Package 7 nights for $2,995 per person

• SEPTEMBER 7 – SEPTEMBER 14

  • Standard Package 7 nights for $2,995 per person

• SEPTEMBER 14 – SEPTEMBER 21

  • Standard Package 7 nights for $2,995 per person

• SEPTEMBER 21 – SEPTEMBER 28

  • Standard Package 7 nights for $2,995 per person

• SEPTEMBER 28 – October 5

  • Upgraded Package 7 nights for $3,995 per person

Why Join This Trip?

• Our whale boat stays out all day, taking advantage of time in the early morning, mid-day, and late afternoon when many other operators (i.e. half-day boats) are not out.
• We have selected a top-notch operator with a high level of expertise in finding whales and providing you the best chance of having a quality encounter in the water.
• Having an operator who knows how to get you a better whale experience is critical in Moorea.
• Our operator’s boat has a hydrophone, which not only helps us to locate the singing male humpback whales but also provides you the opportunity to hear the whales’ song in great detail!

Standard Package Details 7 nights for $2,995 per person

• Small group size (max 6 people on small boat with 1 guide).
• 7 nights accommodation at Hotel Kaveka, twin occupancy in a Garden Bungalow.
• Lunch provided on the boat days.
• 5 days on the water looking for whales, weather permitting, on a private boat with captain and guide, and 1 day of rest to explore or relax.

Exclusions

• Breakfast & dinner are not included at Hotel Kaveka.
• Buying food at the grocery store can be inexpensive.
• Most restaurants will pick you up free of charge from the hotel, but the restaurants can be pricey.
• There are a number of reasonably priced places to eat within walking distance of Hotel Kaveka, including a pizza stand and a roadside grill.
• Lunch is not included on non-boat days.
• Upgrades to a single occupancy room.
• Ferry to and from Moorea ~$30 USD round trip.
• There are two ferry companies: Aremiti (runs 2 ferry boats) and Terevau (runs 1 ferry boat).
• Transfers between the airport and ferry, then the ferry and resort: There is a taxi company located right on the pier, and they charge 2.500 CFP for the cab that can seat up to eight passengers (roughly USD 25).
• There is also a public bus service that leaves from the pier upon the arrival of the fast ferries, and the price is 350 CFP per person one way (roughly USD 3.5).
• There is also the ALBERT TRANSPORT mini-bus shuttle which is also on the pier upon arrival of the fast ferries and the price person one way for this is 700 CFP (roughly USD 6.7) and you may book online at [email protected] or [email protected].
• Tips.
• Private guide.
• Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan.

Small Boat

• Semi-inflatable 24ft / 7.5m boat
• Smaller than most boats and carries less guests, allowing more intimate whale encounters
• Space for maximum of 6 guests including Trip Leader
• Boat captain and Guide
• The central area is open for gear storage and allows ease of movement around the boat
• Seating on floor or tubes

Hotel Kaveka

• Family-owned and operated, Hotel Kaveka offers incredible value for discerning travelers from around the world.
• Nobody knows Moorea better than the team of professionals at The Hotel Kaveka.
• Portable televisions with local reception in the bungalows along with a mini-refrigerator and air conditioning.

Upgraded Package Details 7 nights for $3,995 per person

• Our new, Upgraded Package takes the most popular elements of our Standard Package but with the benefit of one of the best resorts in Moorea.
• Superior accommodation in a more desirable location, plus far more room on a small but spacious boat.
• This trip is perfect for guests seeking the ultimate Moorea experience, both on the boat, in the water, and at the resort.

Inclusions

• Small group size (max 8 people on spacious boat with an extra guide).
• 7 nights accommodation at Manava Beach Resort, twin occupancy in a Garden View Room.
• Daily breakfast.
• Lunch provided on the boat days.
• 5 days on the water looking for whales, weather permitting, on a private boat with captain and guide, and 1 day of rest to explore or relax.

Exclusions

• Dinner is not included at Manava Beach Resort.
• Most restaurants will pick you up free of charge from the hotel.
• There is a good range of restaurant options within walking distance of Manava Beach Resort.
• Lunch is not included on non-boat days.
• Upgrades to a bungalow with private pool, overwater bungalow, or to a single occupancy room.
• Ferry to and from Moorea ~$30 USD round trip.
• There are two ferry companies: Aremiti (runs 2 ferry boats) and Terevau (runs 1 ferry boat).
• Transfers between the airport and ferry, then the ferry and resort: There is a taxi company located right on the pier, and they charge 2.500 CFP for the cab that can seat up to eight passengers (roughly USD 25).
• There is also a public bus service that leaves from the pier upon the arrival of the fast ferries, and the price is 350 CFP per person one way (roughly USD 3.5).
• There is also the ALBERT TRANSPORT mini-bus shuttle which is also on the pier upon arrival of the fast ferries and the price person one way for this is 700 CFP (roughly USD 6.7) and you may book online at [email protected] or [email protected].
• Tips.
• Private guide.
• Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan.

Spacious Boat

• 31ft / 9.5m boat
• We limit this 10 person capacity boat to only 8 guests to allow for intimate whale experiences while providing far more comfort and space
• An additional guide to help look for whales and to support guests with different swimming abilities
• Fixed central seats for added comfort

Manava Beach Resort & Spa

• The charming Manava Beach Resort & Spa is a perfect blend of luxury and serenity, making it an ideal destination for couples, honeymooners, divers, and families.
• The style of the resort is a tasteful combination of the traditional and the contemporary, with a powerful sense of Polynesia.

Additional Information

• Please bring your own wetsuit, mask, and fins. There are no rental options on the island. A full 3mm wetsuit is recommended; many guests have skipped the wetsuit and gotten very cold when the weather got windy and cloudy.
• We are not in the water all day. There may be long periods of time when you’re on the boat looking for whales. Guests must be good swimmers for this trip. Due to local regulations, we are dropped 100m away from the whales and must swim at a brisk pace up to them from that distance. It is possible to hire a private guide to help you swim if you are not a good swimmer. Please inquire for more details.
• Many guests have gotten sunburn even though there is shade on the boat, so all skin must be covered. We suggest a hat, scarf for face/lips, face gaiter, full skin or wetsuit, and plenty of sunscreen.
• Guests are required to be physically able to get up a small boat ladder on their own. If assistance is required to climb up a boat ladder, a private guide will be placed on the boat to assist you at your own expense.

Flight Information

• Guests will fly into and out of the international airport on Tahiti in Papeete (code PPT). From there, it is a 15-minute taxi ride to the ferry port, where you can purchase a ticket on-site to cross the channel to Moorea Island (typically about a 45-minute journey). You can take a taxi from Moorea ferry port to your accommodation which is about 15-25 minutes away.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1: International flight arrival at Tahiti (airport code: PPT), take a ferry to Moorea, hotel arrival.
• Day 2 – 6: Look for whales 8 AM-4 PM (times are examples based on previous years and not guaranteed to be the same each year).
• Day 7: Day of rest. Can be used to scuba dive the many sites around Moorea, explore the island, or potentially add another day of whale swimming (dependent on boat availability and agreement between all guests during the trip).
• Day 8: Depart hotel, take the ferry back to Tahiti for flight.

Trip Extensions

• French Polynesia is one of the world’s top dive destinations, and definitely one of the best locations for shark diving. Boasting at least 16 species of shark, the shark population is very high – estimated to range into the millions – which means divers have the potential to see hundreds of sharks in the clear French Polynesian waters. The islands around French Polynesia provide adventure for both the most and least experienced scuba divers. Even snorkelers and sightseers can experience extraordinary wildlife, offering a special trip for everyone. Make the most of your time in French Polynesia and extend your trip to discover this fantastic diving for yourself. We recommend visiting the islands of Fakarava or Rangiroa for the ultimate shark experience. You can read more about diving in each of these destinations in our 2021 French Polynesia Trip Report.

Got Questions? Ready to Book?

• Call us today at +1-310-915-6677
• Email us at [email protected]
• Or stop by our office at 3961 Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 206 Culver City, CA 90230
• And let us book your dream vacation!