The 12 Best Whale Watching in Tahiti

1.Respectful whale excursion to Tahiti in 4h30

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · from $222Our pick

Leave Papeete Marina at 7am or noon for a 4.5-hour whale trip with a maximum of 12 passengers. Guides such as Moana, Remi, Israel, and Bernardo may lead the search. Expect dolphins, humpbacks when present, local fruit, drinks, and lagoon snorkeling.

“My wife actually got to swim with a baby whale and its mother, only about 20ft away. This was an OMG experience for her. As I was not a strong swimmer, I stayed in the boat. The Boat captain, Moana, was very respectful of the whales and did not intimidate or attempt to get too close. The swimming group entered the water and swam about 100 yards towards the whales. The group leader, (I am sorry I forget his name but he was from Brazil) did a good job of helpinf the swimmers get close to the whales. Snorkle equipment was provided as were snacks of fruit, juice, water and…”

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2.Tahiti island: Whale watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 79 reviews · 5 hours · from $227

Join Tahiti by boat for a five-hour humpback whale trip from Tahiti’s main hotels. With up to 12 people aboard, guides such as Israel, Teva, and Moana explain the marine life, prepare you for open-water swimming, and provide fruit, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Whale encounters and entering the water depend on conditions.

“A superb afternoon out on the boat, seeing some absolutely amazing sights - the 3 humpback whales breaching right out of the water was incredible. Would highly recommend!”

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3.Guided Small Group Whale Watching and Swim Tour Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $238Top rated

Join captain Michael and guide Teiki for a four-and-a-half-hour whale search from Papeete Marina, limited to six people. From July to November, you may watch humpbacks, snorkel with turtles, explore coral gardens and wrecks, and enter the sea only when conditions and whale behavior allow.

“What a dream ! We loved everything about this experience. The boat , the people , the view …. great vibes and very professional. We had the chance to dive with the whales, once in a life time moment. We recomend 100%”

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4.Whale watching on the preserved and quiet coast of Paea (Pk26)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $205

Join Mobydick Tahiti from Paea’s quiet west coast for a four-hour search for humpback whales. Your guide explains whale biology, plays male whale calls, and may authorize a supervised swim when conditions allow. The Stenella carries up to 12 swimmers, with smaller and private options available.

“We came at the tail end of whale migration season-saw 4 humpback whales, two pods of dolphins, grey shark, and many flying fish! Our guides were very pleasant and knowledgeable of the marine life. The ocean was a little rough on the journey back to shore but Isabel navigated like a pro! Incredible experience.”

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5.4 Hours of Humpback Whale Watching in Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $127Best value

Spend about four hours off Puna’auia searching for humpback whales with guides such as Luo, Julien, and Bastien. Watch from a spacious boat, listen to whale song through a hydrophone, and enter the water only when whale behavior and sea conditions allow. Snorkeling experience is required.

“We got to see Whales from a distance it was end of the season but the tour guides were fabulous they kept looking we saw a few blows and swimming and a tail but that's nature recommend this tour”

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6.Half Day Whale Watching in a Small Shared Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $236

Board the six-passenger POTI MARARA at Ārue Stadium for a four-hour whale-watching trip with Tahitian-style boat design, guides such as JB, Solenne, Nathan, or Vehiatua, fresh fruit, drinks, and optional snorkeling near the whales or reef.

“Amazing trip with JB and Oneal! Thank to these two professional gentleman we got chance to saw whales at the last day in Tahiti. We decided to join pretty late at night, but the team help settle everything down and make it very easy to us. :) Don’t hesitate to join if you want to have a wonderful whale-watching tour!”

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7.Observe and Swim with Whales in Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

Join instructor Johannes and the captain from Te Moana Tahiti Resort for a three-hour whale-watching trip in Tahiti’s lagoon and ocean. The small boat carries no more than 10 people, with fins, masks, snorkels, and towels provided. Whale swims depend on sea and animal conditions.

“Fun trip, saw several whales. Didn't get to swim with them, but that made sense. Conditions have to be right for the swim plus the whales have to be chilling out in an area not on the move. Still it was a great trip.”

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8.Whale watching DE Tahiti Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $188

Set out from Taiarapu-Ouest for a three to four-hour whale-watching trip with a small crew, local boat, safety gear, snacks, and clear guidance. Romuald has earned praise for his humor, care, and respect for whales. In-water encounters are optional and limited to confident swimmers aged 12 and older.

“This was an incredible swim with whales tour - Romuald was an amazing guide! He was funny, accommodating, knowledgeable and really cares about safety of both the passengers and the whales. After reading reviews on other swiRead more”

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9.Tahiti, land of whales: a unique experience!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $176

Spend four hours aboard the Kaoriki off Punaauia with guide Naea, watching whales and dolphins, entering the water when conditions allow, and swimming near turtles. Your small group, up to 10 people, gets snorkeling gear, towels, fresh drinks, snacks, and a stop at Taapuna Sandbank.

“Had an amazing morning with friends, this trip felt like magic. We were lucky to watch some whales and i can’t be more grateful for the great trip! Thank you, 100% recomend”

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10.Whale Watching Activity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $285

Meet at Marina Taina for a three-hour whale-watching trip with a small crew led by professionals such as Jeremy, Taki, and Teeka. From August 1 to November 20, you may snorkel near humpback whales, reef fish, and turtles. Gear, a neoprene suit, snack, and soft drink are included.

“I joined this tour with five friends from Japan. It was the end of the season in November, but luckily we met a whale father and son and swam together! It was an unforgettable and precious experience. Thank you to the wonderful guide and captain!Auto-translated”

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11.Whale watching in the calm of the peninsula with Tātahi tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $193

Join Tātahi Tours for a four-hour whale-watching trip from Taiʻarapu-Ouest. Sail toward Teahupoo and roadless Fenua Aihere, learn about whale behavior, listen through a hydrophone, and enter the water for snorkeling when conditions allow. The boat carries up to 12 people.

“Super moment... Accueil au top explications données.. On ass vu au moins 20 baleine avec mise à l eau dans le respect total de l animal. À faire conseillé”

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12.Whale watching DE Humpback West Coast of Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $167

Set out from Taapuna at 7:30 am for a three to four hour humpback whale trip with guides Jordan and Romuald. You may watch whales from a locally built boat or enter the water if conditions, skill, age, and crew approval allow. Snacks, drinks, safety gear, and snorkeling equipment are included.

“A great experience, the treatment with Romu very easy and the perfect excursion, we saw a male whale and bathed us with it, great everything.Auto-translated”

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