Swim with Humpback whales - French Polynesian remote island expedition

Tubuai Island

Jt
Just the Wild
  • Email address verified
42 reviews
Sep 22 - Oct 20, 2024
Group size: 1 - 24
Swim with Humpback whales - French Polynesian remote island expedition
Tubuai Island

Just the Wild
  • Email address verified
42 reviews

$4,290
Deposit: $900
Sep 22 - Oct 20, 2024
Group size: 1 - 24

About this trip

If you've ever wanted to say, I was there before it was cool, this is the place to go.


Tubuai Island is on the southern island chain of French Polynesia, and is as remote as you can get without being on a boat in the middle of the ocean. 


Each year populations of humpback whales travel north to the South Pacific and the warm waters of French Polynesia to raise their new born calves.


Join us for six days of swimming with these amazing giants of the sea. No SCUBA certification needed.



What’s included

  • 6 days on the water
    We go out each day from about 730 am- 4pm
  • 7 Nights Accommodation
    Accommodation is twin share rooms, at a small family run lodge.
  • All meals on the island
    Breakfast and dinner at the lodge, and lunch on board the boat
  • Digital photos
    An online drive is shared for you to access photos taken by our guides
  • Non-alcoholic drinks
    Basic refreshments on board the boat
  • Airport Transfers
    Transfers from and to Tubuai Airport
  • Gear if needed
    There is limited gear available, and this resource is not expected to outfit everyone, but more for a backup. Wetsuits, mask, snorkel and fins are available, but we advise having your own.

What’s not included

  • Arifare
    International and Domestic airfare
  • Travel Insurance
    We cant stress it enough- please get this
  • Gratuities
    For the crew

Available Packages

Session 1 - September 22 - September 29

These Tubuai Expeditions are led by Shane Gross. Check out his profile on the team page (www.justthewild.com/team). Shane has ran the Tubuai expeditions for the last three years. He also runs some of our Mo'orea sessions each year. 

$4,290
Deposit:$900
Session 2 - September 29 - October 6

These Tubuai Expeditions are led by Shane Gross. Check out his profile on the team page (www.justthewild.com/team). Shane has ran the Tubuai expeditions for the last three years. He also runs some of our Mo'orea sessions each year. 

$4,290
Deposit:$900
Session 3 - October 6 - October 13

These Tubuai Expeditions are led by Shane Gross. Check out his profile on the team page (www.justthewild.com/team). Shane has ran the Tubuai expeditions for the last three years. He also runs some of our Mo'orea sessions each year. 

$4,290
Deposit:$900
Session 4 - October 13 - October 20

These Tubuai Expeditions are led by Shane Gross. Check out his profile on the team page (www.justthewild.com/team). Shane has ran the Tubuai expeditions for the last three years. He also runs some of our Mo'orea sessions each year. 

$4,290
Deposit:$900

Available options

Single Supplement Tubuai Session 1
$1,200
Sold Out

This option is for those who wish to have a single room, and not share. These are limited.

Single Supplement Tubuai Session 2
$1,200
Sold Out

This option is for those who wish to have a single room, and not share. These are limited.

Single Supplement Tubuai Session 3
$1,200

This option is for those who wish to have a single room, and not share. These are limited.

Single Supplement Tubuai Session 4
$1,200

This option is for those who wish to have a single room, and not share. These are limited.

$4,290
Deposit: $900


Your Organizer


Jt
Just the Wild
42 reviews
Joined in July 2022
See profile

Reviews

The trip was wonderful! The whales were amazing! Really enjoyed time with Kellon and all his knowledge, as well as the great lodging accommodations. The staff went above and beyond for my dietary restrictions.
By Carolyn H for Swim with Sperm Whales, Dominica January 2025 on Feb 04, 2025
We had a great trip! Our team, Kellon and Pernell, did an excellent job finding the whales and giving us the best experience possible with the whales. Before starting this trip I didn’t know what to expect and then we had multiple encounters that were mind blowing. I will never forget the sights from this trip! It is also nice that the group was limited to 6. We had a great group and enjoyed every minute of our trip!
By Sarah H for Swim with Sperm Whales, Dominica January 2025 on Feb 02, 2025
Fd
It was absolutely wonderful. We saw and swam with whales every day. The boat captain was incredibly skilled at finding whales. Unfortunately, he was also not very friendly and frequently berated the passengers on the boat for being too slow on getting back on the boat. This really impacted my experience, hence why I'm giving 4 stars and not 5.
By Félix d for Swim with Sperm Whales, Dominica January 2025 on Jan 28, 2025
Best trip ever! Great people, experienced team, magical encounters with whales.
By Katerina P for Swim with Sperm Whales, Dominica January 2025 on Jan 27, 2025
XH
Fantastic experience with these giant wildlife
By Xinping H for Swim with Sperm Whales, Dominica January 2025 on Jan 26, 2025
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References

I traveled twice this past year with Just the Wild - last January to Dominica to see the sperm whales and this past November to see the big blues in Timor-leste - and it may sound like hyperbole but it was nothing short of life changing! As a child I was torn between my two loves: art and science, specifically marine biology. I chose art in the end and fast forward 30 years to a somewhat disenchanted life as a Creative Director in advertising looking for a change. I stumbled across Just the Wild and after a few years of following Caine's IG and emails, finally decided it was now or never. I'm so so so glad I did! It wasn't just the whales - which we're breathtaking, beautiful, mind-blowing and just so, so, so cool - it's the people you meet. The other guests, the boat captain and first mate, the hotel owners and staff, the dive shop instructors - everyone is just amazing. Travel gives you such an amazing perspective of the world and I can't recommend it enough. Caine has taken care to find the nicest and most knowledgable folks to work with and support. Up till last January I had been snorkeling exactly twice, both times in the shallows. But I'd always dreamed of seeing my favorites: the cetaceans. Between the other guests (special thanks to Wayne and Ellyn) and Caine, I quickly acclimated to open water snorkeling and now I can't wait to get back in the water! And speaking of the dude himself, as a wannabe marine biologist, to have a guide that's not only knowledgable but as excited about the animals we're interacting with is infectious. I have a new found desire to pursue a live that supports swimming in the ocean as much as possible - from getting my scuba certification to exploring the world of underwater photography. And, of course, booking a trip to see the humpbacks in French Polynesia with Just the Wild ASAP!
By Liesje K on 14 Dec, 2024