French Polynesia, 2023

  • By Gabrielle Hunter
  • •
  • 29 Nov, 2023
  • •

Spectacular above AND below the surface

Ahead of us, we had 5 full days of swimming with Humpback Whales in the waters around Moorea. Our days would start at 7am with continental breakfast in our bungalow, then we’d drive 2 minutes down the hill to where we boarded our super fast, comfy RIB. From there, we’d head either straight out into the ocean, or speed around via the protected lagoon, to the other side of the island, depending on the wind direction. All of us were on spout duty, looking for whales here there and everywhere.
The approach regulations in Tahiti are extremely respectful and whale focused, with vessels allowed up to 100 metres away from a whale. Once a calm, relaxed whale was found, we would slip in to the water with our guide and swim calmly in the general direction of the whale, making sure he or she wasn’t disturbed.
All of that was well and good, but this didn’t necessarily mean the whale wouldn’t try and disturb us! Gabby and her group got mugged by a teenage “crazy whale”, who barrel rolled and swam right up to the boat to have a big look at us while we waited in the water next to the vessel.
Not to mention the playful calf who rolled around and around on her mums nose, before doing a big breach right in front of us!

Which was made slightly less impressive by her mum doing a massive breach right after her while we were in the water just 20 metres away (we were too stunned to get a photo trust us it definitely happened).

 

Ron’s group were blessed with some super playful older calf interactions as well, one in particular circling around and around the snorkellers for an hour splashing and playing

Plus the over excited young male who just could NOT contain himself

The big chill solo female who was pretty content cruising slowly past us breathing and eyeballing also definitely deserves a mention


Afternoons were spent snorkelling in the lagoon, with a very cool stingray encounter. As our guide Ben described them, they come up to the snorkellers “like cats” to check you out, they are super comfortable with swimming right over the top of you! Notice in the photos the snorkellers have their hands on the stingray’s snoots to redirect them away if needed.

Of course, the ocean always provides in Mo'orea, so evenings were spent dining on incredible French inspired seafood, with most restaurants offering a real culinary experience for us at the end of some incredible days out on the water.

 

To us, Mo’orea offers the complete package for a holiday destination, with superb ocean experiences, incredible scenery, tasty food, excellent accommodation and a beautiful island culture.

 

Quest Tours will return for three tours to Mo’orea, French Polynesia, in 2024.

Africa, 2018

By Greg Collier • November 5, 2018
South Africa, Zambia and Botswana. The spectacular locations we stayed, the extraordinary sights we saw and the unbelievable close encounters we had!

Maldives 2018

By Keith Morrison • September 20, 2018
The exquisite Maldives, Mantas, Nurse Sharks, schools of colourful fish and so much more!

Arctic Odyssey 2018

By Ron Hunter • September 7, 2018
Sailing the Arctic on the Rembrandt Van Rijn

Thailand / Myanmar with Quest Tours & The Deep Andaman Queen Liveaboard

By Gabby Hunter • February 8, 2018
Warm water, awesome viz, great company, professional crew & exceptional operation. Can't wait to go back!