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Maptlantis

Humpback whale · French Polynesia

Where to see humpback whales in French Polynesia

Operators 6Season Jul–NovRegions 4Published prices 6Encounter formats 3
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see humpback whales in French Polynesia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the humpback whale as a target species, 6 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Moorea, Tahiti Iti & Taravao, Tahiti West Coast and Tahiti. Encounters are split into snorkeling, boat-based watching and swimming. Two "humpback whale tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 6 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 6 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in French Polynesia cluster in Jul–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Humpback whale season in French Polynesia

Jul–Nov

  1. JanJanuary: not in season
  2. FebFebruary: not in season
  3. MarMarch: not in season
  4. AprApril: not in season
  5. MayMay: not in season
  6. JunJune: not in season
  7. JulJuly: in season
  8. AugAugust: in season
  9. SepSeptember: in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: not in season

The months 6 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the humpback whale season table.

6 listed operators

Humpback whales in French Polynesia, by region

Humpback whales in French Polynesia, by way to meet them

Humpback whale season

Humpback whales in other countries

Activities in French Polynesia

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see humpback whales in French Polynesia?

6 operators name the humpback whale as a target species. Main regions: Moorea, Tahiti Iti & Taravao, Tahiti West Coast and Tahiti.

Do you have to get in the water to see humpback whales?

Formats on record: snorkeling, boat-based watching and swimming. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is humpback whale season?

The 6 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in French Polynesia cluster in Jul–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Humpback whales are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.