French Polynesia Humpback Whales Expedition 2026

2026 Dates:
September 06 – September 12 (Trip Leader: Michael Pizzi)
September 13 – 19 (Trip Leaders: Nik Manger and Isabelle Nelson)
September 20 – 26 (Trip Leaders: Alex Schmidt and Andre Smits)
September 27 – October 3 (Trip Leader: Alex Schmidt)

GUIDED WALL OF SHARKS DATES:
September 01 – 05 Wall of Sharks Scuba Expedition
October 03 – 07 Wall of Sharks Scuba Expedition

***Please note we can also book your own personal wall of sharks extension on any date that works for you (no photo package included)

Join us for a week in the South Pacific to snorkel with gentle giants, humpback whales! Every August-October these southern humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of Antarctica to the warmer waters of French Polynesia. The whales come here to rest, mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. This gives us a unique opportunity to get in the water with them and experience incredible interactions. We can encounter mothers with their babies, male singers, juveniles, a groups of humpbacks all together! There are also plenty of other species around including pilot whales, rough tooth dolphins, spinner dolphins, oceanic white tip sharks, and other types of whales.

We will fly into Tahiti (PPT) and take a quick ferry over to the Island of Mo’orea and enjoy one of the most beautiful islands in the world. This trip will also provide guests the unique opportunity to learn about the science and conservation behind the whale population that visits French Polynesia every year. We will have a special guest presentation- renowned scientist Dr. Michael Poole. Dr. Poole is responsible for conducting the research that led to the protection laws that currently exist for the whales in French Polynesia. He has also studied other dolphin and whale species in the area. He will educate all our guests on the history and current status of the humpbacks, and teach everyone how to safely interact with the animals.

Everyone who joins must bring their own snorkel gear as there are not many rental options on the island. All guests must be strong swimmers that are comfortable with open ocean snorkeling as well.

Join the Apex Ocean Travel family and embark on an epic adventure to swim alongside intelligent and curious cetaceans.

Conservation/Science:
Every booking directly supports protecting land on Mo’orea to keep it wild. Through our operator, Wildma Expeditions, we are helping purchase land on the island to prevent it from being developed. Each booking protects 1 square meter of land. By adopting one square meter of land, it helps create a sanctuary. It’s a small piece of land, but it means the world. Read more about the program here:
https://keepmooreawild.org/

We will also have a guest scientist on this trip who was vital in the creation of the marine protected area in French Polynesia. He has been studying the whales here for decades, and he will be sharing his knowledge with us!

Why Book With Apex Ocean Travel:
No diver rotation: you’re in the water for every drop with the new regulations Professional photo/video of your personal encounters at all times Five-guest cap for space, safety, and comfort Ethics & compliance first: we operate strictly within local regulations and best practices

Payment Schedule:
50% deposit to secure spot
Balance due by April 1 2026

Optional Add On:
Wall of Sharks Scuba Diving

Week 1 September 6-12: Michael Pizzi
Week 2 September 13-19: Nik Manger and Isabelle Nelson
Week 3 September 20-26: Alex Schmidt and Andre Smits
Week 4 September 27 – October 3: Alex Schmidt