Moorea Whale Season: When to Swim with Humpback Whales?

Welcome to your full guide on the Moorea WHALE SEASON.

When can you see whales in Moorea? Where are they? Why is Moorea so famous for it? And what tour operator should I book with to see most of them?

Discover the incredible experience here!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 🐋 Why there are whales in Moorea: Schools of humpback whales migrate to Moorea from July to November to give birth and nurse their calves in warm, calm Polynesian waters, safe from predators.

• 📅 Moorea whale season: Whale-watching season in Moorea is between August and October, when 🐳 Mothers and calves arrive and stay close to the island and 🎶 male whales sing to attract mates

• ⚠️ New regulations for 2025: To better protect the whales, new rules will reduce tour availability by 40–50%. 🚤 Only three boats can approach a whale at the same time. 🏊 Max 6 swimmers in the water per boat (previously 12), and 🏢 each tour company is limited to 1 boat.

Why there are whales in Moorea

Moorea, part of the Society Islands, is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales in their natural habitat. We definitely recommend this as one of the best things to do in Moorea!

But why do these majestic creatures migrate to this part of the South Pacific?

Every year, humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica to the warm waters and sheltered lagoons of French Polynesia.

This migration is not random—it’s a PART OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE.

Map of Moorea! 

A safe haven for giving birth

Humpback whales migrate to Moorea for calving and nursing.

The colder Antarctic waters are rich in food but are also dangerous for newborn calves as they are born without a thick layer of blubber.

The warmer waters of Moorea provide a safer environment where mother whales give birth and care for their young without the threat of orcas and other predators.

This way, calves gain weight, build strength, and learn survival skills before returning south.

A protected marine environment

French Polynesia is one of the few places in the world where whales are LEGALLY PROTECTED.

Since 2002, the entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of French Polynesia—an area of over 4.7 million square kilometers (1.8 million square miles)—has been designated as a WHALE SANCTUARY.

This ensures that whales are safe from whale hunting and excessive human disturbance.

You’ll notice how far this goes in the 2025 regulations to swim with whales.

Best time for whales in Moorea

The absolute best time to see whales in Moorea is between August and October. This is when the highest number of humpback whales are present, and encounters are most frequent.

• August: The first mothers with newborn calves arrive, and males sing to attract mates.
• September: The peak month for whale activity. You can often see mothers, calves, and groups of males competing for females.
• October: Calves are stronger and more playful. The interactions can be longer and more dynamic.

When do whales arrive in Moorea?

• Early arrivals: Some whales begin arriving as early as mid-July, but sightings are less frequent.
• By August, the migration is in full swing, and daily whale sightings are normal.

Which whales are in Moorea?

The HUMPBACK WHALE (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the only main species of whale found in Moorea during Moorea whale season.

Humpback whales – The stars of Moorea’s whale season

• Size: Adult humpback whales can grow up to 16 meters (52 feet) long and weigh around 30-40 tons.
• Appearance: They have long pectoral fins, a knobbly head, and distinctive tail flukes that are unique to each whale—like a fingerprint.
• Behavior: They are highly curious, intelligent, and social, often seen interacting with humans and playing with their calves.

Other whales that may be seen in Moorea

Although much rarer, other whale species have been occasionally spotted in the deeper waters around Moorea, Tahiti, and other Polynesian islands!

• Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus): These can be found in French Polynesia but are rarely seen near Moorea. They typically prefer deeper offshore waters.

• False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens): These large dolphins, often mistaken for killer whales, sometimes pass through the region in small pods.

• Pilot whales (Globicephala spp.): Occasionally spotted, these social, medium-sized whales travel in tight-knit groups and prefer deeper waters.

New whale-watching regulations in Moorea for 2025

Starting in 2025, French Polynesia is tightening regulations for whale-based tourism in Moorea. The strict rules have sparked a lot of attention, even the Guardian and the BBC wrote a piece about it!

These new rules aim to improve conditions for humpback whales and protect them from excessive human disturbance while ensuring that interactions remain safe and respectful.

While these changes will create better conditions for whales and visitors, they will also significantly REDUCE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS for whale-watching and swimming excursions.

Stricter limits on swimmers and boats

The most significant change for 2025 is the reduction in the number of swimmers per boat.

• The maximum number of swimmers per tour drops from 12 to 6.
• Only three boats will be allowed to approach a whale simultaneously.
• Each whale-watching company will be limited to one boat.

These rules aim to reduce the whales’ stress by minimizing crowding and ensuring that each interaction is more controlled and respectful.

40-50% fewer spots available

With smaller groups and fewer boats, the total number of available spaces for whale-watching tours will shrink by 40-50% compared to last year (and almost all tours were already sold out last Moorea whale season).

While this means fewer tourists in the water at the same time, it also means that securing a booking will be much harder.

Why booking early is essential.

In previous years, popular whale-watching operators in Moorea have already seen their tours sell out weeks in advance.

With the new regulations cutting the number of available spots nearly in half, booking at least several months ahead of Moorea whale season will be crucial—especially if you’re visiting during peak Moorea whale season in August and September.

Most operators allow bookings online or via WhatsApp, so it’s best to reserve your spot as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Why we recommend Moorea Eco Tour for whale watching

We highly recommend Moorea Eco Tour as the go-to local operator if you plan to experience Moorea whale season with a whale swim.

With Maire, the whale whisperer, guiding you on the only CATAMARAN in Moorea, this tour offers one of the best and most ethical whale-watching experiences in Moorea.

During the excursion, you might also see spinner dolphins, pilot whales, and black tip reef sharks.

*This recommendation is not sponsored. We just like their tours, and they pay so much attention to the well-being of the humpback whales that they deserve to be recommended!

Two half-day tours between August and November

Moorea Eco Tour operates from August to November, offering two half-day tours each day:

• Morning tour: Departs at 7:30 AM
• Afternoon tour: Departs at 12:30 PM
• Each tour lasts four hours

📍 Departure point: Tiahura Public Beach (Google Maps location)

🏨 Nearest hotel: Hotel Hibiscus

Rates and options

You can choose between private and shared tours:

🛥 Private Tour – 162,000 CFP (approx. $1,500 USD)

• Exclusive half-day seafari tailored to your group.
• Maximum 12 passengers, but only six swimmers in the deep blue water at a time.
• Ideal for families, photographers, or those wanting a personalized experience.

KEEP IN MIND: They will provide  snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks, all you need for an enjoyable experience before heading underwater to see the whales in their natural environment in Moorea!

🌊 Shared Tour – Limited to 12 people per boat

• Whale swimmers: 19,500 CFP per person (approx. $180 USD)
• Whale watchers: 10,000 CFP per person (approx. USD 92)
• Friends and family can swap between swimming and watching, as long as it doesn’t delay other participants.

KEEP IN MIND: If you are unfamiliar with the French Polynesian Franc and why and how it is tied to the EURO, you can read our post on Tahitian currency!

Payment Policy

• Private tours require a 20% deposit by credit card upon booking, with the remaining balance due one month before the tour.
• Shared tours require full payment 14 days before the tour.
• Payments are processed via OSB Bank, and you will receive an online payment link via email.

Booking link for their humpback whale tour!

Why choose Moorea Eco Tour?

✅ Expert guide with over 20 years of experience

Your guide, Maire, has been a whale-watching professional since 2001 and is recognized by DIREN (Direction of Environment), the official authority that licenses professional tour operators in French Polynesia.

Locals call him the whale-whisperer as he always manages to find whales. He promised to give you an unforgettable experience!

In 2024, they even got the Traveler’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor for outstanding service!

✅ A spacious and stable catamaran

Unlike monohulls, Moorea Eco Tour operates Cata Manu, a large catamaran that offers:

• More stability: The boat is 6 meters (19 feet) wide which reduces seasickness, even in swells.
• More space: guests are not packed next to each other on the boat
• More comfort: A large awning provides shade and protection from the sun and rain.
• Better whale and dolphin viewing: Relax on the front net for an unobstructed view of marine life.