Humpback Whale Trip Report 2024
Close Encounters with Humpback whales Trip Report - Moorea, French Polynesia
By Trip Leaders Mark B Hatter, Paul Vukovich, Mark Strickland, and Erik Lukas
Introduction
This September, Bluewater Travel led five exhilarating trips to the breathtaking island of Moorea in French Polynesia. The primary goal of these expeditions was to swim with the majestic southern humpback whales that gather in the island's crystal-clear waters each southern hemisphere winter. This trip report, a collaborative effort by Trip Leaders Mark B Hatter, Paul Vukovich, Mark Strickland, and Erik Lukas, encapsulates the unforgettable experiences and encounters of their journey.
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Encounters
Mark B Hatter: Our adventure began each morning from the floating dock at Cook’s Bay Resort, with pick-ups by the professionals from Tahiti Private Expeditions (TPE). With 14 guests, TPE split us into two comfortable rigid-bottom inflatable boats, "Banana" and "Coconut," enabling us to fully circumnavigate the island in search of whales.
Erik: The group convened at the beautiful Manava Resort in Moorea under sunny skies with hardly a sign of wind over the water. It did not take long for both groups to see what we came for, and not much longer before we had our first in-water encounters. While one boat was treated to a pair of adult whales resting, the other was fortunate enough to find a male singing, and had the chance to float directly overhead, taking in the incredible sounds of the whale’s haunting song.
Days 2-4: Whale Encounters and Diverse Experiences
Paul Vukovich: Each morning, we set off in search of whales "logging" or resting in Moorea's cobalt waters. September is the perfect month to swim with whales in Moorea, as mothers have given birth, and babies are mature enough to investigate swimmers on the surface. Respecting the animals, we quietly slid into the water more than 100 yards from the whales. Although sometimes the whales moved on before we reached them, we were often rewarded with inspiring, emotional, and ecologically significant encounters.
In Moorea, it's all about whales! Check out some of the Best Places to Swin with Whales.
Mark Strickland: Successful whale swimming requires many different factors to coincide, including patience, perseverance, and no small measure of luck. Local knowledge and specialized equipment are also key. Our group of 14 was divided between two state-of-the-art rigid hull inflatable boats (RIBs), each crewed by a veteran local captain and an in-water guide with years of collective experience putting guests in the water with marine mammals. Over the course of the week, we had many memorable whale experiences, including encounters with mothers and calves, sub-adults, and even a lively "heat run" involving multiple whales.
Day 5: Final Encounters and Additional Adventures
Erik: On our last day, both groups had the opportunity to get into the water with male singers, mother and calf pairs, as well as multiple whales showing off their immense power and agility during heat runs. Swimming with a humpback whale is an extraordinary experience, evoking a sense of wonder and a desire for more.
Mark B Hatter: With memory cards full of great footage and images, we spent the last few hours inside the lagoon at a popular shallow site, hand-feeding stingrays. It's yet another cool experience offered by Bluewater Travel, making the Moorea adventure a must for anyone's bucket list.
Conclusion
The month in Moorea was filled with inspiring, emotional, and ecologically significant encounters with humpback whales. The combination of expert guidance, perfect weather conditions, and the beauty of French Polynesia made this trip an unforgettable experience for all participants. Bluewater Travel's meticulous planning and dedication to providing intimate and respectful wildlife encounters ensured that each guest left with memories to last a lifetime. Whether it's swimming with humpback whales or exploring the island's enchanting sites, Moorea remains a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Learn more about our last trip to Moorea or previous trip to French Polynesia.
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