Tahiti and Islands
Whale Watching in French Polynesia – On the Trail of the Pilot Whales
French Polynesia is an island wonderland that is just perfect for a holiday with sun, sand and sea but additionally it boasts the opportunity to observe the ocean’s mammals from up close.
Tahiti and the surrounding islands lie with an UNESCO protected biosphere that dates back as far as 1977. Especially the Tuamotu Islands and the Fakarava Atoll are sensational!
Encompassing staggering four million square kilometres, the French Polynesia trade zone boasts special protection for whales and dolphins, officially having been designated a sea mammal sanctuary in May 2002.
A year later, in August 2003, the minister for environmental issues received a certificate from the World Wildlife Fund in recognition for the unrelenting commitment to the welfare of whales in the Pacific Ocean.
Whale watching has been strictly regulated since 2002 and permits from the environment office are a requirement. Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, whale watching is possible even though is not as commercialised as it tends to be in other countries.
Talk to our experienced travel consultants. It is a pleasure for our experienced staff to help make arrangements and plan your Tahiti itinerary including all the necessary permits.
The Society Islands are a superb place to spot whales with their new born calves. Especially the straits between Moorea and the larger volcanic islands are regularly frequented by the whales.
Doubtlessly, Moorea is the centre of it all: A highly recommendable activity is a whale watching excursion with the celebrated marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole!
Dr. Poole is not only familiar with the best spots to sight various species of dolphins, pilot whales and massive humpback whales, he also provides a wealth of information that is both educative and entertaining.
From July through to October the imposing humpback whales seek out the warm and calm water around Rurutu and the Austral Islands, where they occasionally lunge their 16 metres bodies with the seemingly oversized fins out of the water.
The tropical conditions are just perfect for the humpback whales for mating and to give birth. Underwater microphones allow you to listen in on their love songs beneath the waves.
Special platforms in Moerai Bay allow you to get close to the gentle giants. The adventurous may also go on a freedive – an experience words can hardly do justice.
The Moerai dive centre on Rurutu organises these specialised dives. Talk to our travel consultants for more information. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
