Snorkeling & Diving with the Whales of Moorea
Have you ever heard of the island of Moorea? It’s located in the South Pacific and it is part of French Polynesia’s Society Islands. But, it’s also a direct neighboring island to Tahiti. It’s known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches.
View from above at sunset of paradise getaway Moorea, French Polynesia, Tahiti, South Pacific Ocean.
It’s a dreamy, beautiful place and worthy to explore. The calm waters around these Polynesian Islands hide a magnificent treasure… humpback whales.
Every year, humpback whales undergo an incredible journey to migration between feeding and breeding grounds. They feed near the icy cold magnetic poles and give birth to their calves in the warm tropical waters. And each year, individual humpback whales travel as much as 16,000 miles (25,000 km) between these two areas.
A mother humpback whale escorts her new calf in the warm tropical waters. photo credit: tpsdave
These magnificent creatures are best seen by snorkeling or swimming in the warm South Pacific waters during migration season. These mammals are pelagic, meaning, living in open oceans or seas rather than waters adjacent to land or inland waters. So, you may need to take a little sailing excursion to visit them! It’s sure to be a spiritual experience.
photo credit: tpsdave
The best time to go swim with the whales is between July and early November. That is migration season when they are moving down to the warm tropics where the climate is perfect for giving birth and finding a mate. Each humpback whale population has its own migration route, and those who travel from Antarctica to northern South America have the longest migration of any mammal alive!
Majestic is the only word we can use to describe these magnificent creatures. Despite their size (40-50 feet in length) and weight (25-30 tons) these whales are some of the most gentle animals in the world. They eat 3,000 pounds of krill and small fish and live up to 80-90 years! Fascinating.
Underwater view of a humpback whale in the deep blue pacific ocean.
If you want to book a ‘snorkeling with the whales’ tour in Moorea, here is a link to get you started:
If you are planning to vacation in Tahiti, contact Rod today to join us on our next Cracker Jack Life sailing adventure where you can snorkel and dive with these absolutely breathtaking animals right before you hop on one of our French Polynesian sailing escapes that include spectacular routes around Bora-Bora.
Happy adventures! Remember, it’s better to have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff!
