The Survey Party — Field Guide

Emma Expedition · Stamp of Approval

region:

filed:

Oceania

SEPT 2024

STATUS:

DAYS IN THE FIELD:

too many to count!

moorea

French Polynesia · Open Ocean · Whale Season

Operator:

Wander Out Expeditions

Also vetted:

MOOREA MOANA TOURS

Field note:

I've been to French Polynesia twice to swim with humpbacks and it's exactly how you'd imagine — wild, mind-altering, and completely addictive. I'll keep coming back, and not just for the whales. The community, the landscape, the spirit of the islands — it all pulls you back.

Habitat

Key species

Season

Best sighting

Open Ocean · Pacific

Humpback whales, blacktip reef sharks, stingrays

Aug–Oct · Humpback migration

Inquisitive humpback circling the group

Worth knowing

Go with a licensed outfitter — Moorea has strict regulations around whale encounters and they exist for good reason. Also know this going in: you need to be a strong, confident swimmer. A single drop can mean 500 meters of open ocean swimming to reach the whales.

Humpback surfacing

The Survey Party — Field Guide

stamp of approval

moorea

open ocean ·  whale season

REGION

FILED

DAYS IN THE FIELD

OCEANIA

SEPT 2024

TOO MANY TO COUNT!

FIELD NOTE

I've been to French Polynesia twice to swim with humpbacks and it's exactly how you'd imagine — wild, mind-altering, and completely addictive. I'll keep coming back, and not just for the whales. The community, the landscape, the spirit of the islands — it all pulls you back.

WORTH KNOWING

Go with a licensed outfitter — Moorea has strict regulations around whale encounters and they exist for good reason. Also know this going in: you need to be a strong, confident swimmer. A single drop can mean 500 meters of open ocean swimming to reach the whales.

OPERATOR

WANDER OUT EXPEDITIONS

ALSO VETTED

MOOREA MOANA TOURS