Humpback whales of Rurutu
Sept 2026
Every year humpback whales migrate in high number from Antarctica to tropical waters. Immerse yourself with these gentle giants in the crystal clear waters of Rurutu, a stunning remote island part of the Australs, French Polynesia.
September is the best month to visit French Polynesia.
At this time, we are in the dry season, a light breeze cool us during the beautiful sunny days.
It's also the best time to get the mighty humpback whales coming from Antarctica from July to get back to the frozen continent in October.
They come in the warm waters of Polynesia to breed, to give birth...We will see a large panel of behaviors.
How to describe in words the feeling near a singing male whose powerful vocalizations magnified by the ocean pass through you to the point of vibrating your rib cage?
or the playful antics of a curious baby whale dancing with you under the watchful eyes of the mother?
or the tenderness moments between these gentle giants as graceful as colossal?
What better place than the paradisiac island of Rurutu, far from mass tourism, to live this experience?
We choose the best family hotel of the island, a welcoming home with private bungalows and a pool.
Not to mention an immersion into the rich Polynesian culture and a visit of the most authentic sites of the island to make the experience complete and unforgettable.
Détails
Dates : 31/08/2026 to 06/09/2026
Duration : 7d/6n in half board
boat of 5 guests + guides
Cost : 4250$ (earlybird) until 31/12/25
4500$ from 01/01/26
on a shared bungalow basis
Supplement single 700$
Start and finish : Rurutu, French Polynesia
Accessible from Papeete airport (PPT) with Air Tahiti.
Guides : Cécile Gabillon, Romain Barats, Jonathan Doval
Included :
- 6 nights in private double bungalow in half board
- 5 days at sea of guided snorkeling with whales, either a 3h excursion by morning and afternoon, either a unique longer excursion, depending of the conditions (sea, weather, whales...)
- immersion into the rich Polynesian culture and local gastronomy
- guided island tour
- the snorkeling equipment may be provided but much better if you bring yours (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit). Towel is provided.
- all transferts (airport-hotel and hotel-boat))
- day taxes and permits
- lectures about humpback whales
- photo workshop for free (on demand)
- a sample of our best shots taken during the week
Excluded :
- international and domestic flights from/to Rurutu
- lunches
- non included drinks in the half board (alcohol, etc...)
- visas (if needed)
- travel and medical insurance
- any added activity purchased on the island
- bad mood :)
Humpback whales in French Polynesia (Megaptera novaeangliae)
These sea giants (14m for 30 tons) migrate from Antarctica where they spent the austral summer feeding and making reserves and travel thousands of miles to reach the tropical waters where they're born in order to breed and give birth.
Remarkable behaviors can be spotted here : nuptial parades with numerous jumps, males competing, singing males with powerful vocalizes, playful baby, nursing, protective females often exhausted by this migration (besides they fast during this tropical stay).
Whales start to come around July and leave from October. Their concentration peak is September with mature enough babies to be playful and a little less under mum's watch.
Polynesian people always had sacred links with whales (Tohora in Tahitian), considered in legends as the Dead souls keepers.
Our approach
Our ethic is always be respectful with the wildlife. We won't senselessly jump in the water!
We'll give priority to quality over quantity, that means if an interaction happens, it's because the whale wants it.
First, we observe the behavior, then we gently and quietly get in the water. Some rules we'll repeat every day have to be followed to ensure the whale safety as well as ours.
We take only 5 guests to get the best encounter possible.
Rurutu is by far less frequented than Moorea, we'll have a lot of quality encounter opportunities.
there's no lagoon, so whales are found near the cost, that means a short travel time to reach them.
Our family hotel
We choose the best hotel of the island, because what else is more important than being confortable after a long day at sea?
Conveniently beachfront located facing the sunset, this family hotel will serve us typical Polynesian dishes in a good mood.
A beautiful pool will make our happiness at the end of the day.
The pension has many charming bungalows, it's noted "4 tiare" (meaning "4 stars" pension)
Discover the island itself and the Polynesian culture
We'll be welcomed by the proverbial smile of the hotel Polynesian people who'll share good anecdotes.
Rurutu island is not vast but has some natural curiosities especially caves and lost trails.
We propose a trip of these sites led by a local guide.
Our pension offers other kind of activities on demand (trip on ATV, basket braiding workshop...)
