Close Encounters With Humpback Whales Luxury Package 2027
From $5,445
Expertly planned for season,
animal encounters, and logistics
Hosted by experienced Bluewater
divers or photographers
Hands on support before,
during, and after your trip
Whale Encounters
Off the Beaten Track
Great for Non-divers
Why Join This Trip
Best in-water humpback whale experience in the world
A resort and island so beautiful it will leave an ever-lasting impression
Luxury all-inclusive experience
Aimed at Adventurers - to provide the best possible experience, this trip includes some elements that are best suited to adventure travelers
Snorkeler to Guide ratio is 6:1
25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure
Trip overview
Bluewater Travel’s Moorea whale snorkeling trips offer a rare opportunity to encounter humpback whales in one of the world’s most beautiful island settings. Set in the clear, warm waters of French Polynesia, these carefully managed experiences focus on respectful, in-water encounters with whales during their annual migration. Guests snorkel alongside mothers and calves, curious juveniles, and occasionally powerful escorts, all against the dramatic backdrop of Moorea’s volcanic peaks and turquoise lagoons. Every trip is designed to balance unforgettable encounters with a strong emphasis on safety, conservation, and local regulations.
Click the Whale Tourism logo to learn more!
Luxury Package Details
Our Luxury Package benefits from one of the best resorts in Moorea. Superior accommodation in a more desirable location, Meet and Greet at the airport, and transfers to and from Moorea.This trip is perfect for guests seeking the ultimate Moorea experience, both on the boat, in the water, and at the resort.
About the 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
- 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
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 (Arrival and Check-In Day)
- Travel to Moorea (see How to Get There section for advice on flight and ferry timings).
- Check in to Moorea resort from 2pm.
- Meet the group for a briefing in the hotel’s main bar, normally before dinner.
- Evening free to join the group for a meal or make your own plans.
Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Full-Day Whale Snorkeling)
- Early morning pick-up and departure from the jetty. The exact time will be confirmed during the briefing, but it will be approximately 7am.
- All day on the boat looking for whales. Please note that there is no bathroom available onboard.
- Lunch on the boat.
- Return to the jetty between approximately 2pm and 4pm.
- Evening free to join the group for a meal or make your own plans.
Day 7 (Free Day)
- Free day to relax or explore the island. Ask us for suggested activities.
Day 8 (Check-Out and Departure Day)
- Check out from Moorea resort.
- Store luggage, relax and use resort facilities until ready to return to Tahiti.
- Travel to Tahiti (see How to Get There section for advice on flight and ferry timings).
- International flight out or onward travel.
Please note: Daily timings are variable and very much dependent on weather and sea conditions, as well as whale sightings.
Meals
Meals are not included in this trip (except for lunch on boat days and breakfast at Manava Beach Resort). There is also a grocery store within walking distance of the resort which offers a good range of local produce. Many guests find this an affordable way to stock up on snacks.
The Manava Beach Resort has excellent (albeit expensive) restaurants on-site, and there are also a variety of restaurant options close to the accommodation. Some restaurants will also arrange a car to pick you up, free of charge, from your hotel.
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.
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.Learn more about traveling to French Polynesia and read about our latest trip!
Snorkel Conditions
Water temperatures are warm, however, sea conditions can be choppy and there is often swell outside the lagoon. It can be windy, so expect to cool down quickly when not in the water. Top side conditions are warm and humid, with frequent rain showers.
- Water Temperature: 81F (27C)
- Visibility: 30 - 100 feet (9 - 30m)
Recommended Snorkel Gear
Download our full snorkel gear guide to French Polyneisa humpback whale snorkeling, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF!
Trip Inclusions
Small group size (max 6 people)
7 nights accommodation as per your package choice, twin occupancy
5 days on the water looking for whales, weather permitting, on a private boat with captain
1 day of rest to explore or relax - we have a range of topside activities available
A locally prepared light lunch and refreshments on boat days
Breakfast
Airport Meet and Greet and round-trip transfers
Welcome drinks and canapes
Mandatory City Tax and optional ‘Eco Donation’
Trip Exclusions
Upgrades to a bungalow with private pool, overwater bungalow, or to a single occupancy room.
Any meals not stated in the Inclusions
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
Mandatory City Tax and optional ‘Eco Donation’ paid to the resort on check-out
Gratuity
Accommodation
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 syle of the resort is a tasteful combination of the traditional and the contemporary, with a powerful sense of Polynesia.
Check out this video of the boat for whale watching!
Connectivity
The Manava Beach Resort offers free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, including guest rooms and common areas. Connectivity is generally reliable for everyday use such as email, messaging and light browsing, though as with most island resorts it may not match urban high-speed standards.
The WiFi in many resorts around French Polynesian can be intermittent, especially in the islands of Rangiroa and Fakarava. It is worth checking if your cell provider offers data bolt-ons to give you connectivity during your trip.
There are also a surprisingly good number of options to buy local data when you arrive in Tahiti. Tahiti WiFi has a stand in the airport where you can rent a box that connects you to WiFi on most islands (it doesnt work so well in Fakarava and Rangiroa). The box acts as a router and allows you to connect several devices to WiFi at one time. It can be pre-booked for you to pick up at the airport or delivered to your hotel https://www.tahitiwifi.com/. They offer various data packages starting at 5GB for 4,600 XPF ($7).
A cheaper option would be to buy a SIM card for your phone which you can then use to hotspot to other devices. The Tahiti WiFi stand sells Vodafone SIM packages which work well in Tahiti and Moorea, but again arent so great in the more remote islands. They offer 3 packages starting at 2GB data, 30 minutes of local calls, and unlimited texts for around $4. Once you have your SIM card, you can top it up or buy more data at most supermarkets around the islands.
If you plan to island hop and will be exploring Fakarava or Rangiroa, your best option is to buy a SIM from local provider Vini https://www.vini.pf/mobile/international/vini-travel-card. These can be purchased from Cafe Maeva at the airport. Their packages are a bit more expensive but offer excellent coverage all over French Polynesia. For example, the Vini Travel Card costs 4,000 XPF ($33) and gives you 9GB data as well as some bonus calls and texts. Once you have your SIM card you can top it up at most supermarkets around the islands.
Finally, if you arrive out of hours and everything at the airport is closed, there is a gas station within a 5 minute walk of the airport that also sells local SIM cards.
Trip Price
Trip starts from $5,445 per person.
5* Manava Beach Resort (Sep 18-25, 2027)
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Garden view
Balcony or Terrace
Double-occupancy
$5,445
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $800 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $1,000 due 1 February 2027
- Balance: due 1 June 2027
Extend your trip
Moorea Trip Extension
Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! Rangiroa and Fakarava are nearby atolls offering some excellent diving:
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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