Location: Rurutu Island, French Polynesia
VIP Humpback Whale Snorkeling Adventure
Swim with Humpback Whales in the crystal clear waters of Rurutu, French Polynesia
Snorkel with Humpback Whales
Join us for an amazing week of snorkeling with Humpback Whales in the crystal clear waters of Rurutu, French Polynesia.
Each year, hundreds of humpback whales (including solo males and mothers with small calves) migrate north from Antarctica between August and October. Throughout September, they stop to shelter in Rurutu’s protected bays.
World-class Humpback Encounters
Humpbacks stop to relax in Rurutu’s shallow bays on their yearly migration north. While the humpback mothers snooze on the shallow seafloor, their curious calves love to frolic at the surface. This is the perfect time to enjoy fabulous close encounters. We also see solo males, singing whales, and family pods.
THE ENCOUNTER
Snorkeling with Humpback Whales
2026
DATE
September 7-13 FULL
September 14-20 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
September 21-27 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$5,895 per person double occupancy
$6,695 per person single occupancy
LEADER
Jennifer Idol
2028
DATE
September 4-10 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
September 11-17 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
September 18-24 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Jennifer Idol
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Vaitumu Village Hotel, Rurutu.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Snorkeling experience only
WHAT’S INCLUDED
6 nights accommodation
5 full days of snorkeling/free-diving with whales
Breakfast at the hotel
Airport transfers
Highly experienced humpback whale guide
WITNESS AMAZING BEHAVIORS
Due to its crystal clear water, Rurutu offers unparalleled underwater views of humpbacks. The most common sights are mothers nursing their calves, and solitary males singing their haunting songs.
Remember to also bring a topside camera as you can also expect to see fluke slapping, spy-hopping and full and partial breaches. It is especially fun to watch the baby humpbacks trying these movements for the first time. Imagine a baby playing with a new toy, now imagine a baby humpback that has just discovered the noise its tail makes when it slaps the water… unforgettable!
SMALL GROUP VIP HUMPBACK ENCOUNTERS
To ensure that the whales are not stressed by the encounters, we take a maximum of five guests on our Rurutu Humpback Whale Snorkeling Trip.
Compared to other locations such as Moorea that are overrun with snorkeling boats, there are only a handful of whale snorkeling permits issued for Rurutu. Combined with our small VIP group size, this leads to stress free, world-class encounters.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Rurutu Airport, we will transfer you to Vaitamu Village to relax and settle in. For the rest of the afternoon you’re free to relax by the pool, take a walk on beach, or if you’re feeling energetic, perhaps even do a quick tour of the island.
After dinner at the hotel, your trip leader will give you a short briefing about what to expect during your days at sea with humpback whales.
Days 2 to 6
Each morning, after a delicious breakfast at the hotel (remember this is a French island!) our small group will board the boat and head around the coast to look for whales. It usually does not take long find the whales as there are specific bays that they like to rest in. Once we assess the whales, we’ll enter the water to interact with them for as long as the whales seem comfortable.
At noon we will head back to the hotel for lunch and then return to sea for our afternoon whale snorkeling session. Each session is 3-4hrs long, so you will have plenty of time for encounters.
We’ll bring you back to the hotel with plenty of time to freshen up, relax, and download images before dinner. Then the evening is yours to relax and dream of whales until the next day’s adventure!
Day 7
Sadly, today it is time to leave paradise, but not before a final delicious final breakfast. After checkout, we will bring you back to Rurutu Airport for fond farewells before your onward flight.
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Beautiful Rurutu Island
Just a 90 minute flight from Tahiti, but largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism, Rurutu is an idyllic spot to unwind and the perfect spot to encounter these gentle giants of the South Pacific as they migrate north.
Big Fish Expeditions has been delivering World Class Big Animal Encounters since 2010
Guest Feedback
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
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!
Rasmus R.
Denmark
SERIAL BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS GOERS HERE!
We've been on several of Andy's trips and have had a great time. We went on the Great Hammerhead trip last year, Tiger Beach and the Oceanic White Tip trip this year. Total bucket list experiences with cool people! Lots of guests sign up for multiple trips. Highly recommended.
DCJ
Florida
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
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS VIP TOURS
It was an amazing experience. Andy is a terrific host. He has everything planned. Your job is to take photos of incredible animals and enjoy yourself. I highly recommended it.
Bob H.
USA
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
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!!
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
