French Polynesia Humpback Whales Expedition 2026

2026 Dates:
September 06 - September 12 (SOLD OUT)
September 13 - 19
September 20 - 26
September 27 - October 3

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

Book your spot today:
info@apexoceantravel.com

Alex Schmidt and Michael Pizzi

Wildma Expeditions is the top operator in Mo'orea for incorporating science and education into humpback whale expeditions. Their comfortable boat has plenty of room for dive gear, camera gear, food, and personal belongings. Guests will get to learn about the process of how the whales of French Polynesia were observed, researched, and eventually fully protected in the area. All interactions with the whales will be conducted ethically and the well-being of the animals will be prioritized. The local guides and captain are well experienced in putting our divers in the best possible situations to have the whales interact with us!