Location: Nuku Hiva, Marquesa Islands, French Polynesia
Nuku Hiva Diving with Sharks, Mantas, & Melonheaded Whales
Dive with scalloped hammerhead sharks, silvertips, grey reef sharks, mantas, and melon-headed whales in beautiful Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia.
Dive on the stunning reefs of Nuku Hiva in French Polynesia’s exotic Marquesa Islands. Visit scalloped hammerhead and manta cleaning stations, explore pristine reefs inhabited by silvertip sharks, grey reef sharks and oceanic blacktip sharks and then snorkel with melon-headed whales in Gauguin’s Paradise.
THE ENCOUNTER
Scuba diving with sharks and mantas and free-diving with melon-headed whales.
NO FUTURE DATES
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Mave Mai Guest House overlooking picturesque Taioha’e Bay on Nuku Hiva
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Open water certification required. Expect some current and a few deeper dives.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 night’s single occupancy accommodation
- Breakfast
- 5 days of 2-tank boat dives on Nuku Hiva’s beautiful reefs
- Snorkeling with upto 300 resident melon-headed whales
- Tanks and weights
- All necessary diving equipment except dive computers
- Group transfer from Nuku Hiva Airport through beautiful mountain vistas
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Lunch and Dinner
- Gratuities
Free-dive with Melon-headed Whales
During January and February off the coast of Nuku Hiva a very special event takes place; a super pod of melon-headed whales gather to feed, socialize and reproduce. Melonheads are generally quite difficult whales to find, making this encounter with scores of playful animals an extremely unique experience. It is estimated that up to 300 whales congregate in the area. Our experienced captain knows exactly where to find them and if the seas cooperate, we will have a very good chance of enjoying some very special encounters.
Dive with Silvertip Sharks, Manta Rays and Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Nuku Hiva is a big animal lover’s dream destination. As well as abundant fish life and healthy corals, the island is home to schools of reef mantas, silvertip sharks and scalloped hammerheads that can often be seen visiting the cleaning stations along the coast. You’ll love the uniqueness of the diving where the only problem is deciding whether to shoot big animals or world-class macro!
Explore beautiful Nuku Hiva
Legend has it that Ono, the god of creation, promised to build his wife a house in one day, so he gathered together land and created the Marquesas Islands, which are all named after parts of the house, Nuku Hiva being the roof.
Discovered more than 2000 years ago by ancient Samoans, for many centuries the islands were controlled by warring cannibalistic societies that left behind rock carvings and many tribal sculptures that line Taioh’es beaches.
After exploring Nuku Hiva’s beautiful reefs, you will have a chance to hike in the hills above Taiohe; a tropical hideaway composed of steep volcanic spires and deep valleys covered with dense rainforests.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Pick up at Nuku Hiva Airport – coinciding with the morning flight from Tahiti. Transfer over spectacular mountain vistas to the beautiful village of Taioh’e. Settle into the hotel, relax or explore the area. |
| Day 2-6 | After a delicious local breakfast, we will head out to sea for two dives on Nuku Hiva’s pristine reefs. It is very likely that you will see hammerheads, mantas, silvertips and other sharks and thousands of exotic smaller fishes. On two of our five days of diving, we will head north to the area where the resident melon-headed whale superpod can usually be found. Once we locate them, you will have a chance to snorkel or free-dive with these playful animals. |
| Day 7 | After breakfast and fond farewells from your island hosts, you will be taken back to Nuku Hiva Airport for your flight back to Papeete on the island of Tahiti. |
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Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Big Fish Expeditions
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last two decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
