Where to Swim With Humpback Whales in 2025: French Polynesia vs Tonga — A Guide by a Marine Biologist
If you’ve made it this far, you already know that swimming with humpback whales isn’t just another tour. It’s something deeper. Something that stays with you. And if you’re here trying to decide between French Polynesia and Tonga, I want to help you make that choice in the most informed and honest way I can. I’ve spent nearly a decade guiding in these waters. This isn’t about picking the most popular option. It’s about helping you find the one that fits what you’re actually looking for.
French Polynesia — The Experience
French Polynesia offers one of the most beautiful settings in the world to encounter humpback whales. Think clear water, wide-open ocean, dramatic volcanic peaks, and lush green islands. But it’s not just about whales. On any given day you might also see reef sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, or even the odd manta.
What makes it special is the deep cultural connection locals have with whales. The animals are respected, not just viewed — and that shifts the tone of every encounter.
Swim style: Most swims require you to cover some distance, typically 100 meters or more from the boat to where the whales are. This makes physical ability and comfort in open water important.
Logistics: French Polynesia is incredibly easy to reach, with direct flights from the US and no complicated transfers. Mo’orea is a quick ferry ride from Tahiti.
New regulations: Recent changes have made whale swims more ethical and sustainable. While they’ve limited the number of boats and swimmers, they’ve also improved the overall experience. Less chaos, more intention.
French Polynesia — The Regulations
100 meter exclusion zone for boats (they cannot approach whales)
Only 6 people allowed in the water at a time, including the required local guide
Our trips are limited to 5 guests per group to respect this and give you the best experience
Maximum of 3 boats per whale or whale group
In-water time allowed between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm
Minimum 15 meters distance between swimmers and whales
These rules mean the whales dictate the encounter. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Pros and Cons — French Polynesia
Pros
Deep cultural respect for whales leads to strong self-regulation among captains and guides
Clear water with visibility often 50–60 meters
Wide range of whale behaviors, from playful juveniles to courting adults
Lots of whales means we can choose areas with fewer boats
Calm lagoons offer the perfect mid-day lunch break
Cons
Growing popularity has increased crowds, though recent caps are helping
Mo’orea has a capped number of boats now, which is a positive step but limits last-minute availability
Occasional rough weather weeks (which doesn’t bother the whales, but makes for fun stories)
See our upcoming Mo'orea trips and Tubuai expeditions for 2025
Tonga — The Experience
Tonga was one of the first places in the world to offer in-water humpback whale swims. It has a rich history in this space and still offers powerful encounters.
The experience is more remote and rugged. Getting there requires long-haul flights and inter-island hops, so expect more time and effort in transit.
Visibility can be good, but is more weather dependent — especially because runoff from rain can affect water clarity near shore.
Boat approaches can be very close, which can lead to exciting (but controversial) encounters.
Fewer boats are allowed per whale, but this often results in lineups and time limits per group, which can make the experience feel a bit transactional.
Tonga — The Regulations
5 meter minimum distance between swimmer and whale
Only 1 boat operator allowed on a whale or group at a time
4 swimmers plus 1 guide in the water
Boats may approach as close as 10 meters for pick-up and drop-off
Pros and Cons — Tonga
Pros
Only one boat allowed per whale, so no crowding during a swim
Deep roots in whale swim tourism, with experienced captains and guides
Sometimes excellent visibility depending on conditions
Cons
10 meter boat distance is too close, raising the risk of boat strikes on whales
Lineups and strict time limits can reduce the quality of the encounter
Water clarity can vary dramatically
Flight logistics are more complex and costly
Key Differences
Flights: French Polynesia is easier to reach for most travelers. Tonga requires more complicated routing.
Water Clarity: French Polynesia generally offers more consistent visibility.
Regulations: French Polynesia takes a more conservative, whale-first approach. Tonga’s close-approach policies may appeal to some, but come with ethical concerns.
Multispecies Encounters: This is where French Polynesia truly stands apart.
My Honest Recommendation (and the one key difference no one talks about)
Mo’orea is home to some of the most incredible multispecies interactions I’ve ever seen. What does that actually mean? It means days when the ocean turns into something out of Jumanji — humpbacks, dolphins, sharks, and other cetaceans all sharing the same space. Not just passing by, but actively interacting.
Humpbacks are usually found solo, in pairs, or in small groups. But on certain days, especially early in the season; we witness something entirely different. We’ve seen larger aggregations of whales moving alongside species like pilot whales, rough-toothed dolphins, and more. These aren’t calm encounters. They’re electric. You can feel the energy in the water. These animals are socializing, playing, even chasing each other in what feels like a wild, unscripted performance.
We call them “Jumanji days” for a reason.
These moments are rare and we may not see them each week, and they don’t last all season. They tend to happen early, when the whales are fresh from migration and still full of energy. By late September, things mellow out. October and November can still be beautiful, but the pace slows. That’s why we run our Mo’orea trips at the start of the season. From our perspective, this is the most thrilling, dynamic time to be in the water.
What About Your Remote Expedition to Tubuai?
Tubuai is a unicorn. Still in French Polynesia, it follows the same regulations — but we’re the only boat operating there.
That means when we find whales, they’re your whales. No crowds. No radio chatter. No waiting your turn.
The density of whales isn’t as high as in Mo’orea — but that’s fine. We don’t need 40 whales when there’s no one else around. We time our trips to align with the calmest whales: mothers and calves.
Earlier in the season, Tubuai gets younger males and newly independent juveniles. These whales are skittish and hard to approach. So, we wait.
Late season (October) is our sweet spot for calm, relaxed encounters. It’s remote. It’s real. And it’s unlike anything else.
Baby whale swimming in the super clear waters of Tubuai
Ready to experience it for yourself? View all 2025 Whale Swim Trips