Dive trip Cetacean Watching inTahiti

Diving holidays in Polynesia, for Cetacean Watching inTahiti

Have you always dreamed of being next to a whale? A dolphin? Know that French Polynesia has been declared a Sanctuary for marine mammals and is the perfect place to observe cetaceans!While there are 80 species of cetaceans in the world, there are 16 species that frequent Polynesian waters, including humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus).Humpback whales leave Antarctica where they live the rest of the year to take advantage of the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
In Polynesia, they begin to be seen in June and the last ones leave in December. We accumulate the chances to meet them between August and November.
These outings are not only for divers, snorkelers and freedivers but also for families.We experience real moments of emotion in front of a school of dolphins playing in front of the bow of the boat or in front of a whale that is probing, leaving only a huge tail.Prepare yourself for exceptional moments during your holidays in Polynesia among whales and dolphins.

Marine species in the area

Dive sites

Along the coast of the Tahiti peninsula, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales and sometimes even killer whales can be seen.
When diving from the ocean side, you can hear the singing of the male whales in the distance.
Humpback whales are mammals that make the largest migrations in the world.
Leaving the poles, they travel thousands of kilometers to reach tropical waters to mate and calve in lagoons and shallow reef areas.

The warm waters of the lagoons and passes provide ideal conditions for the growth of calves, which are 4 m long at birth and will grow to 14 m long and weigh 25 tonnes as adults.
They arrive via the Austral Islands. Rurutu is very popular for the observation of these marine mammals. They then continue towards the Society Islands, via the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Tetiaroa and then they go to the Tuamotu.
They can be seen in several places. In Tahiti, from the coast, the whales can be seen at Pointe des Pêcheurs thanks to their spectacular jumps out of the water.

In Rurutu, they also approach the coast. In Moorea, during boat trips, whales, dolphins, rays, and sharks can be seen simultaneously.
In Huahiné, we take part in the whale count. In Tetiaora, the diving center only offers Whale Watching trips during this period.
At the end of the season, in December, the whales gather in Tahiti south of the Te Pari peninsula, before beginning their long migration back to the South Pole.
The whales have been protected from hunting for more than 30 years. Their observation in Polynesia is now highly regulated and only begins in August.

It is strictly forbidden in the lagoons, passes, and bays, which must be kept out to sea within a radius of 1 km.
The regulatory distance from a boat to the whales now goes from 50 m to 100 m minimum, and it is 30 m for dolphins.
Whales and dolphins have become popular and sought-after tourist attractions. Ethics and rules are essential to avoid disturbing or harassing them.
Many dive clubs are adapting their schedules of outings during this season.

A half-day cetacean-watching trip begins with an appointment at the dive center at 8 am or 1 pm and a return scheduled at 11.30 am or 4.30 pm.
Snorkeling equipment is distributed in case we can get in the water. A windbreaker is provided.
The briefing on safety on board, on the behavior and approach of the whales, takes place during the navigation. Often there is a snack and drinks on board.
The spotting phase is sometimes long since these mammals are constantly on the move. The calves are often close to the reef and passes, which facilitates the search.

Whale watching begins when the whales become accustomed to the presence of the boat and humans.
There are several other ways to spot them: they come from year to year in the same known areas; word of mouth by cell phone to inform each other of their last sightings; their wakes, blows, and leaps visible on the surface of the water, which can be spotted from miles away if the sea is calm.
Calves are often spotted first because they do not stay as long as adults in apnea.
Launching with the whales is not possible on every outing as these excursions are subject to respect for the environmental code, safety conditions and the whales' behavior which must be calm.

Launches take place according to the guide's instructions, with mask, flippers, and snorkel. Some centers have equipped themselves with hydrophones to hear them underwater from the boat.
There are many emotions to hear them singing and communicating with each other. The formula of the outings includes prices for adults and children under 12 years old as well as prices for groups of 10 or more participants.

Others Activities

Cetacean Watching inTahiti : Dive shops


Pacific Blue Adventure Polynesia - Huahine Pacific Blue Adventure Dive Centre is located on the quay of the main village Fare, Huahine, Polynesia, close to the airport, shops, restaurants, guesthouses, and hotels. Meet us for sea trips at 9 am and 11 am with 2 dives per day. Free transfers are made at your request, from your accommodation in Huahine to the boat, with an air-conditioned vehicle. Interested in a private outing? Book it in advance. The Pacific Blue Adventure training center offers FFESSM, PADI, and SSI courses. Board an aluminum boat with a capacity of 12 divers. You can reach the dive sites quickly and comfortably in 10 to 30 minutes. The sites are selected according to the level of the divers, however, the reef or Avapeihi Pass is the most popular. From August to October, take part in the humpback whale count in Polynesian waters for three afternoons per week. The briefing takes place at the Maitai Lapita bar and 10 people then board the boat for a 3-hour trip, including a nice walk along the reef. [+] Near Downtown area Located close to the dive sites Pass dives between the centers From 54,47 € BOOK NOW
Top Dive Tetiaora Polynesia - Tetiaora The TopDive center is located in The Brando hotel on Tetiaroa atoll, in Polynesia, 30 km northeast of Tahiti. The services of this ecolodge-type dive resort are top of the range in the middle of an enclosed crystal clear lagoon, encircled by 13 motus, with no pass allowing the boat to transit from the lagoon to the open sea. The Brando is the only hotel on Tetiaroa Atoll. Its eco-responsible measures respect the environment, with air conditioning that runs on seawater drawn from the sea, lighting powered by two thousand solar panels, a generator running on coconut oil, and waste treatment. The activities are nature-oriented with a visit to the organic orchard, the discovery of the scientific research station, and a Polynesian culture session with the archaeological tower. Each of the 35 villas is located on the beach where the turtles roam and have a private swimming pool. Built with traditional materials, with outdoor bathrooms, these villas allow for a local colourful lifestyle. The Varua Polynesian Spa, integrated into the natural environment, offers the best holistic treatments inspired by Polynesian techniques, as well as relaxation areas with a steam bath. The two restaurants, overseen by a Michelin-starred chef, serve fusion cuisine inspired by Polynesian, Oriental, and Western cuisine, as well as traditional French cuisine. Meals can be served in your villa. The place is famous because Marlon Brando bought the property. Today it belongs to French Polynesia. The interior of the island is not accessible to the public, so take a walk along the coastline. You can take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the lagoon. Whale watching trips are organized during the season from mid-July to mid-October. The trip must be booked 48 hours in advance. On-site dive bookings can be made at the hotel concierge desk. [+] Whale Watching Turtle Watching Accomodations and diving From 460,91 € BOOK NOW
Top Dive Tahiti Polynesia - Tahiti The TopDive dive center is located in the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, Tahiti, Polynesia, in the middle of a 10 hectare lush tropical garden on the edge of an idyllic lagoon. Tahiti is the ideal island for a dream holiday. Don't forget the Top Dive honeymoon package! The Top Dive Pass also allows you to pay for 10 dives and do 11 in the different islands and atolls of the archipelago. Nitrox is offered if you are already certified. From August 1st to October 31st, go and meet the whales! This TopDive training center also offers SSI PADI and CMAS courses from the first dive to the Divemaster level, including all the most fun diving specialties! A rehabilitation dive allows you to start again gently if you have not dived for 6 months. Let yourself be tempted by a snorkeling and apnea outing in these clear and warm waters, pure happiness! From the Top Dive club, access is easy to the best diving spots on the western and eastern sides of Tahiti with about ten diving sites. Diving allows you to observe the fauna of the Pacific with the presence of magnificent nudibranchs, the passage of lemon sharks, a school of stealthy silver jacks, the flight of leopard rays, the encounter with whales and dolphins. And don't miss the night dives. Small wrecks are full of life. Take the opportunity to visit the peninsula, Papara, and the east coast, to admire the beautiful landscapes and long black sandy beaches suitable for surfing. Tahiti is the economic heart of Po Free transfers are available from hotels ranging from the Meridian to Tahiti Nui Hotel. On-site, at the Intercontinental, you will enjoy refined cuisine in two different restaurants and dinner shows. There are many activities from jet skiing to Deep Nature spa, ideal as a honeymoon destination! It's a very good starting point for a getaway in the South Pacific. [+] Accomodations and diving Whale Watching Comfortable boat From 51,00 € BOOK NOW
Top Dive Bora Bora Polynesia - Motu Piti Aau The TopDive diving centre is located in Bora Bora, Polynesia in 2 different places. One of them, very comfortable, is located in the heart of the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso SPA and offers services in the image of the 5-star hotel in which it is located! Divers are a 5-minute boat ride from the Four Seasons, St. Regis and Meridien hotels. Diver transfers are free from all hotels and guesthouses on the island, even from the motus. Honeymoon dives with video and flower necklaces are a must for the folklore! The TopDive training centre offers PADI, SSI, FFESSM and CMAS courses from the first dive to the Advanced Open Water Diver. Try the Deep Diving and Naturalist Diving specialisations. Nitrox is offered if you have already been trained to use this enriched air. Bora Bora's ten or so dive spots are sometimes so far away that few dive boats go there! The TopDive club is located to explore the lagoon and observe the manta rays. The Anau dive site is home to 6-7 manta rays of the Manta birostris type, which come to have their skin cleaned of parasites and open their huge mouths to feed on plankton, at shallow depths. Visibility is really reduced and varies between 2 and 6 m. The water is loaded with particles. This place is one of the four spots frequented daily by the local diving centres. From 1 August to 31 October, you can also go whale watching on the TopDive boat. This is a great time to see the whales blowing in the distance. The Top Dive Pass allows you to dive on all the islands served by Top Dive, whether it's a rehab, baptism, dive training, specialization or just exploring the area. [+] Accomodations and diving Manta Rays Watching Whale Watching From 51,00 € BOOK NOW