May 10, 2019 whale watching is something remember for the rest of your life. Jun 27, 2017 in comparison, humans can only swim up to four or five miles per hour. Humpback whales of the south pacific with joan ocean in tahiti, french polynesia. Jun 11, 20 as depicted in figure 1, i have gps track logs and the encounter locations for 20 cetacean surveys conducted in the marquesas islands of french polynesia. Fpsa represents the french polynesia and samoa breeding regions. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Michael poole in french polynesia and claire garrigue in new caledonia were the key players in creating whale sanctuaries in their countries. Throughout the year except during whales season, come to approach and watch dolphins playing near the passes of tahiti. He persuaded us to snub the reputable french whalewatching tour operator i had read about in the guidebook in favour of local fishermen his cousins who supposedly charged less and offered the same service. Times are tough for the travel community right now.
The peak season is between midaugust and late october. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. But we can also meet rorqual, orcas and dolphins bora ocean adventures is register as a whale watching company with the agreement of the directorate of the environment. As we landed in aitutaki, the science team was excited to discover that it was humpback whale season. If you would like to discover more of french polynesia we also have a post tour package at either the. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. We are pleased to offer the most complete small group private tours to swim with humpback whales in moorea our sightings record is over 80%. Whale watching is something remember for the rest of your life.
Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. August to october is the best time to visit for whale watching with allyearround warmth a real draw for tropical fish so dont forget your mask and flippers. They made us visit rurutu already for many years, but now they come to the society islands to the delight of everyone. So to start this journey, first a little bit of geography. Dive discovery presents snorkeling, swimming with humpback whales during migration in rurutu, tahiti. This discreet bay, tucked neatly at the western end of the gulf of tadjoura, is one of the most dependable places in the world to swim with whale sharks. Pdf interchange of humpback whales in oceania south pacific. Jun 28, 2012 here is the story of my exceptional dives on rangiroa atoll in the tuamotu archipelago in french polynesia. Whale watching in tahiti and her islands tahiti travel. Tahiti is french polynesias largest island, home to the international airport and the capital, papeete. Wife and i will be in moorea from december 17 through 26.
The first few are sighted in june and the last ones depart our islands in early december. In 2011 his work took him to moorea, french polynesia where he experienced his first inthewater encounter with humpback whales and fell hopelessly in love. Sep 17, 2015 located in the heart of the pacific ocean, french polynesia covers an area of four million sq km, roughly the size of europe. Dolphins and whales watching around tahiti topdive. The cook islands have led the way in whale conservation by claiming a 2 million square kilometer whale sanctuary in their exclusive economic zone. We plan to be in the south pacific for the first week of october, but if coming earlier is better open to changes. French polynesia diving holidays and liveaboards rurutu. Whale season tours in bora bora pure snorkeling bora bora. During the migration season, from july to october, they travel through the cook isla. Download our tour brochure below for more information. During this period, one can encounter these whales around tahiti, solitary or with their offspring. Download scientific diagram humpback whale breeding grounds new caledonia. Every year, from august to october, polynesian waters welcome many humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae coming to mate and give birth before returning to the south pole during this period, one can encounter these whales around tahiti and moorea, solitary or with their offspring for this season, topdive tahiti dive centers invite you to join our whale watching tours to observe the. Visit tahiti, take a whale watching vacation to tahiti, and enjoy a whale watching trip in tahiti.
In comparison, humans can only swim up to four or five miles per hour. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. In order to maximize chances to see whales, topdive propose tours from september to the end of october. The humpback whales will spend 3 to 4 months there, during which the males will search for mates and gestating females will give birth the calm waters of rurutu, part of the austral islands, appeal to certain whales in search of a tranquil environment. Whales fast throughout this period that they entirely devote to giving birth to their fragile babies, then to feeding, watching and protecting them. Characterizing melonheaded whale restingsocializing. Explore the austral islands and snorkel with the humpback whales of rurutu. Scarcely 37 miles in circumference, moorea presents an island of spellbinding beauty, with jagged mountain spires built from a volcanic past, blanketed in verdant green and surrounded by crystalline, blue lagoons. Its not uncommon for several of the giants to be cruising so close to shore that its possible to snorkel out to see them. Swim with your private tour guide to see these magnificent creatures underwater in. A few years ago that humpback whales in large numbers like the waters of french polynesia.
Consequently, if you want to see these majestic mammals, their amorous game, and the newborns, then this is the time to come. How to say whale in french whats the french word for whale. Why not combine a stay on rurutu with a visit to fakarava in french polynesias idyllic tuamotu islands. Swimming with a mother and baby humpback, a male not the father follows for some action with the mother. The weather is warm, but youll want to bring a wind jacket to keep you comfortable on the boat. Every year since then, he works a whaleguide on cata manu, with our tahitian skippercaptain marie teamuu, for. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Michael poole would have been over by then since whale watching season is from midjuly through midnovember. This migration to warmer waters will last a month for an estimated 5 to 6 000 km. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save the. I have gps track logs and the encounter locations for 20 cetacean surveys conducted in the marquesas islands of french polynesia.
Help finish the island and the whales documentary by mike. Embark on an unprecedented adventure to discover the humpback whales of french polynesia. Encounter wild dolphins and whales on an informative ecotour led by marine biologist dr. It was the best opportunity for me to dive with them. Swimming with humpback whales in french polynesia youtube. The peak season is between midaugust and the end of october. Best island to swim with whales french polynesia forum. Tahiti whales, islands, wildlife tour 2021 majestic whale encounters. Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales. When possible we also swim with humpback whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Humpback whales are seasonal visitors to moorea, french polynesia. Michael poole in french polynesia and claire garrigue in new caledonia were the key. Please contact our office for our resort offerings and whale swimming tours on rurutu.
Located in the heart of the pacific ocean, french polynesia covers an area of four million sq km, roughly the size of europe. Mike day is raising funds for help finish the island and the whales documentary on kickstarter. Whale watching the official website of niue tourism. Sundance supported documentary film needs finishing funds to tell the epic story of the faroe islands and marine pollution. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. But make sure you book for your flight and accommodation as well as whale watchingswimwithwhales tour well in advance. French polynesia diving holidays, liveaboard cruises, underwater photography and scuba travel specialists. From july to october, humpback whales migrate to polynesia, particularly around the austral islands, to give birth to their young. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular. Society islands, tuamotu archipelago, gambier islands, marquesas islands and austral islands. Season ends at the north american east coast with still good chances to see humpbacks and blues. As great as it is to see them from the shore or from whalewatching boats and kayaks, hawaii does not allow you to get into the water. Fakarava offers some of the most exciting drift diving on earth, complete with numerous sharks. Humpback whales visit hawaiian waters each year from november to may with the peak of the season being from january to march.
Although they are oceans apart, both the kingdom of tonga in the south pacific and the silver bank off the dominican republic offer intimate encounters with majestic humpback whales. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. For this season, topdive tahiti dive centers invite you to join our whale watching tours to observe the migration habits of this unique mammal. As it turned out, viriamu, the sternlooking owner of our little pension, offered to arrange all our excursions for us. Ideally on a day trip as girlfriend gets sea sick so wouldnt want to spend days at sea. Private whalewatching and swimming tour in bora bora.
We offer personally escorted, small whale swimming group tours in moorea, as this island is known as the humpback whale nursery and has the most humpback whales in the area during the season in french polynesia. From the end of june or early july, humpback whales come up from antarctica to breed and give birth in the waters surrounding tahiti, moorea, rurutu, and bora bora. Humpback whale breeding grounds new caledonia, tonga, samoa. Humpback whale migration diving rurutu dive discovery. Each year between july and october these majestic animals pass by the cook islands on a 4,000 mile journey as they migrate from cooler feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere to warmer waters to mate and give birth. The primary food source of the mammoth blue whale is tiny, shrimplike krill. Characterizing melonheaded whale restingsocializing habitat. Rurutu is par excellence the island of whales because they come for 3 to 4 months to reproduce in our waters just a few hundred meters off the shores, and to wean their whalecalves born there. Visitors head here for humpback whale encounters in season, where great visibility and cooperative whales make for a memorable experience.
Every year, from august to october, polynesian waters welcome many humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae coming to mate and give birth before returning to the south pole. The speed and size of the blue whale helps it cruise the hundreds of miles between patches of food. He persuaded us to snub the reputable french whale watching tour operator i had read about in the guidebook in favour of local fishermen his cousins who supposedly charged less and offered the same service. Private whalewatching and swimming tour in bora bora papeete. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. Every year over the same time period, humpback whales come to french polynesia from antarctica.
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Here is the story of my exceptional dives on rangiroa atoll in the tuamotu archipelago in french polynesia. Humpback whales polynesia austral french polynesia. Good news from the homefrontour whale season is officially underway.
Tahiti dive holidays in south pacific dive worldwide. The peak season for swimming with whales in tahiti and other islands in french polynesia is midaugust to the end of october. Characterizing melonheaded whale restingsocializing habitat in the marquesas islands. Swimming with humpback whales off moorea tahiti, french. Most of this area is ocean, only 4,000 sq km of land forms five archipelagos. Along the way, the whale is sustained by its substantial fat stores, called blubber. Oct 26, 2015 after many years of travelling, it takes a lot to give you that wow factor. Swim with humpback whales in the most beautiful part of the world tahiti. Society islands, tuamotu archipelago, gambier islands, marquesas islands and. Enchantment under the sea with whales in tahiti the.
Venture out on the ocean with an expert guide to witness the whales as they play, breach, or feed around your boat. You may see humpback whales that are up to 16 meters long with immense fins. Since 2002 french polynesia is a sanctuary for whales. In polynesia, the whale season lasts about four months from july to november. This provides an opportunity to observe them and even swim with them. Swim with humpback whales in tahiti, french polynesia. Live for a few moment with these magnificent and friendly mammal that just waiting to amaze you. Whale watching and polynesian paradise tahiti tourisme. Add to this wonderful adventure some charming resorts. Escape winter with to go to tahiti french polynesia. Come and admire the ballet of humpback whales in our polynesian waters. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from.
And the best thing about whale watching on the cook islands is that you can watch these majestic creatures anywhere, no matter which island you are on. The best time to visit french polynesia depends on whether youre tied to the school vacations or not as december and january, especially, can get a bit busier and more expensive. During late october or november, when the newborn calves are strong enough, humpback whales migrate back to antarctica. Swimming with humpback whales in tahiti tours book now. Since 1991, we have arranged trips to exotic locations utilizing the best dive and land adventure specialists. Swimming with whales in tahiti is an unforgettable experience. Catch a glimpse of the majestic mammals on a whale watching excursion from papeete. For this season, topdive tahiti dive center invites you to join our whales watching tours to observe the migration habits. Map of the study area in the marquesas islands of french polynesia showing the extent of surveys and the location of cetaceans encountered during small boat surveys in 2012. Every year since then, he works a whaleguide on cata manu, with our tahitian skippercaptain marie teamuu, for his vacation during the whale season.
Where to go in french polynesia to swim with whales. Spectacular whale watching in rarotonga and cook islands. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales. In september, we will travel to the french polynesian island of rurutu for two weeks, twenty degrees south of the equator. Whale season tours in bora bora, get the chance to observe the wings of the sea each year, from late july through midnovember, humpback whales migrate, from the antarctic waters, to the warm waters of french polynesia. Whale watch tahiti is the only dedicated whale watching company in tahiti, french polynesia. We specialize in small group, non invasive tours to observe and photograph the whales and dolphins. For some reason not known, the preferred route back south for many of the humpback whales seems to be via rurutu island, one of the southern outliers of french polynesia. South pacific whale watching charters beautiful pacific. After many years of travelling, it takes a lot to give you that wow factor. You can swim with whales in moorea and bora bora too. Catch a glimpse of the majestic mammals on a whalewatching excursion from papeete. End july to october, is the season for the humpback whales migrate to french polynesia.
Vavau, in our opinion, is the best place in the world for inwater encounters with humpback whales. From july to early november the humpback whales can be found close to the outer reefs as they search for a mate or nurse their young. Just a short ferry ride northwest from the island of tahiti is moorea. From august through october, thousands of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of french polynesia.
The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic whaletrips. And more precisely the rangiroa atoll looks like this with two passes. Hi im looking to come to french polynesia next october, was wondering where is the best place to swim with humpback whale. Whales watching and swimming with whales at bora bora. Whale season tours in bora bora pure snorkeling bora. Rurutu is par excellence the island of whales because they come for 3 to 4 months to reproduce in our waters just a few hundred meters off the shores, and to wean their whale calves born there. Some famous operators are already fully booked for the next year season. For diving in more remote locales, take a trip on a liveaboard boat. We are in the middle of august and here arrived in the islands souslevent. Farrowing usually occurs in september in tahiti and moorea or rurutu in austral islands.
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