Humpback whale expedition

From September 12th to 19th, seven days in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean to swim with humpback whales and other wondrous creatures. Some trips stay with you forever, and this expedition to French Polynesia is one of them.

We return to one of the archipelago’s most captivating islands for a week dedicated to encounters with humpback whales.

We’ll fly to the other side of the world with one great goal: enter the sea every day, search for them, waiting, hoping for a generous ocean and their willingness to approach.

Here, nothing is forced: we observe, respect and enter the water only when the conditions are favorable and the interaction is natural.

It will be a powerful week, emotionally intense and difficult to explain before experiencing it.

Why French Polynesia

I decided to take you with me to French Polynesia because it is one of the most favorable destinations in the world for encounters with humpback whales.

But they’re not the only ones. Pilot whales and dolphins live permanently in these waters, you can encounter oceanic white tip sharks in the deep blue, and, if the ocean decides to surprise you, even a passing orcas.

It’s a living and dynamic ecosystem, where every outing can turn into something memorable.

And if you want to find out more about my direct experience in French Polynesia, you can find my detailed account here.

Where are we going

The base camp will be an island in the archipelago famous for its vertical mountains that drop into turquoise lagoons and the deep ocean just a few minutes’ sail away.

It’s one of the world’s best spots for observing humpback whales during the southern hemisphere season. Mothers with calves, solitary males, and roaming groups pass through here: every day is different, and together we’ll discover this fantastic world.

We’ll have a van available for transportation around the island and a dedicated boat for sea trips. The pace will be dictated by the ocean, not the clock.

What will we experience

Humpback whales will be our main objective. We will only enter the water at the surface, always accompanied by a certified local guide and respecting the rules.

In fact, the sightings will take place exclusively on the surface (in the water): no diving certification is required and we will not go to depth.

They await us:

encounters with different marine species and every day we will discover what the ocean has in store for us
We will also dive on the coral reef, a shelter for eagle rays and black tip reef sharks.
We will meet in person the founders and the team of Coral Gardeners, an international project for the rebirth of corals in the sea.
We will discover the island between breathtaking beaches and green mountains
We will feed on fresh fish and exotic fruit while discovering the local culinary culture.

Francesca Lananna, an Italian explorer who has lived in Polynesia for years, will be our certified guide throughout the week, ensuring safety in the water and proper interaction management.

It will be a journey of presence, silence, and intensity. No technical depth, just surface, listening, and respect.

Program (6 nights - 7 days)

📍Day 1 – Arrival and first exploration of the Magic Mountain
📍Day 2 – First all-day boat expedition in search of whales
📍Day 3 – Sunrise on the beach and another full day at sea for whale watching
📍Day 4 – Discovering the lagoon on the reef. In the afternoon, we’ll go out on a boat
📍Day 5 – Visit to the Coral Gardeners center. Afternoon on a boat until sunset
📍Day 6 – Panoramic viewpoint and mountains. Afternoon at sea for more sightings
📍Day 7 – Check-out and goodbye Polynesia

What to bring

Every day we will spend several hours in the water and to avoid feeling cold I recommend bringing your own equipment:

wetsuit (2 mm one-piece or two-piece) or shorty
mask and snorkel
long fins
beach towel (with spare)
water bottle
sun cream
hat (against the sun)

If you don’t have equipment, don’t worry, we will provide it for rent at an extra cost.

In generale farà caldo quindi vestiti da mare e porta i tuoi migliori costumi ma anche un pantalone lungo e una felpa per le serate più fresche.

Costs and availability

Price: ~~€3,900~~
Early bird: €3,200 (if you book by April 15th)

The price includes:

✅ Overnight stays
✅ Breakfasts
✅ All lunches
✅ All dinners
✅ Round-trip airport transfers
✅ Van for internal travel
✅ Boat for excursion days

Excluded from cost:

❌ Round-trip flight
❌ Local incidental expenses

Reserve your spot to buy at a great price:

Please make sure you’ve carefully read the terms and conditions, including all cancellation and refund policies. You can find them here.

When leaving

🗓 13-19 SEPTEMBER 2026

Arrival in Papeete, Tahiti, on September 13th
Departure from Papeete on September 19th.

I recommend that you reserve your seats as soon as possible to be able to purchase flights in advance and at lower prices.

Who is this expedition intended for?

This experience is for those who dream of respectfully encountering whales.

Anyone who wants to experience the sea without pressure or depth
Who is looking for an emotional journey rather than a sporting one
someone who knows that the ocean guarantees nothing, but when it gives something it does so without half measures
It’s not a tourist trip: it’s an expedition built around an encounter.

If you feel the time is right, Polynesia awaits.
And perhaps the humpback whales too.

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