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Review Highlights
Curious Calfs and Wonderous Whales

I went on this holiday alone and love love loved it for so many many reasons but especially the... read more

Reviewed 12 March 2024
Nesta J
,
Golden Bay, New Zealand
An unforgettable week! 🙌

I've recently returned from an incredible 7-day trip on the "Magical Humpbacks in Tahiti Tour" with... read more

Reviewed 30 November 2023
BellaGomezKervin
,
Melbourne, Australia
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Reviewed 8 March 2019

My experience was so very wonderful that it is hard to describe in purely tourists terms. Here we were, a group of world travelers together for the first time, unknown to Rae's fine staff who are to keep us safe as we float in the middle of the ocean!
There was never a moment of disappointment for me, not in terms of the accommodation or in any way I can imagine. It was really thrilling.
The whales were the focus, being safe and swimming with them peacefully on their terms was our primary purpose. They are so very generous and gentle. We observed other tours not being quite so sensitive and I appreciated being with Rae Gill's WhaleSwim group. Maire and his staff took care of us and knew whether the whales were playful or not - they were not distracted from their tasks as they took their job seriously. Thank you!
WhaleSwim is a lifetime experience and though How lucky was I to do this trip!
I have so much respect for Rae, Maire, and Magenta. I am grateful to them for providing a safe and enriching experience beyond imagination.
I also thank the kind and patient local caretakers of our stay in Moorea as it is a spectacular Island inside and out.
Travel with WhaleSwim and open your heart to a miraculous experience! They are real professionals.

Date of experience: October 2018
Thank burroughspictures
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 February 2019 via mobile

We joined Whaleswim hoping to realise a life's ambition. We were not disappointed! We we're booked for 6 half day swims although due to weather conditions we had to go with 4 half days and 1 full day. I'm so glad we did!! That full day will never be forgotten. We had seen 2 adults and a calf cruising along so followed along, a respectable distance away from them....whales come first with this crew, just as it should be! We were about to call it a day with them when they turned and came our way so in we got. I can't quite describe the feeling of looking at these amazing animals in the eye but that's what happened, all 3 of them. We swam along together for over a mile, at times the Mum dropped down and left her calf to play around with us for a while then decided to part ways with us...baby was less keen and came back for more! You know you have been blessed when your captain has to take 5! On the way back we had breaching whales and a shark and ray swim. I had wondered if I would be scared to get in the water but the crew are so there for you, and have eyes everywhere! Our first swim being a great example of that....Maire got into the water to look for the whales and check that it was ok for us to get it. We swam over to him and he was pointing down into the water.....you will be amazed at how difficult a humpback whale is to see in the water! Eventually I made out the white along her pectoral fins . A short while later she let her calf come up to play before ascending herself. Sublime. On another occasion we called time on our time with a Mum and calf as there were more boats arriving and whale harassment is not acceptable with Whaleswim. We can't wait to return and have everything crossed for the same team, Rae, Magenta and Maire.

Date of experience: October 2018
1  Thank Paradise437876
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 February 2019

I have traveled extensively around the world, and this is by far one of the best adventures that I have done, and will always remember my special time with the whales. Whaleswim were always contactable from the moment I made my bookings and Rae’s quick response to any queries was always helpful. Whilst I was a solo traveler, I always felt that this holiday was going to be special, and shared with like minded people who wanted the same experience, and that Rae was bringing us all together to share this wonderful experience. It was even more evident, when we all met in Moorea along with Magenta & Maire, that we had very special people to be with us during our stay.
Our accommodation at the Moorea Beach Lodge was great, it was clean and well kept with the hotel staff being very friendly and helpful.
Breakfasts on the front veranda each morning overlooking the blue waters of the ocean, just inviting us to get out their & swim with the whales, was a perfect way to start the day.
Everyday was a different experience, some days were action packed with multiple swims with whales, some days were just hovering around with sleeping whales, some days were sitting in the boat listening to their singing. One has to always remember that we are with wildlife, and its unpredictable, just like the weather and seas. We were blessed with great weather and seas for my 8 days of swimming. The care and respect that Maire & his crew have towards the whales is commendable, he is a true “Whale Whisperer”.
This is a life time experience & I recommend going with Whaleswim adventures on any of their tours to have this adventure. I can’t thank them enough for my holiday and know that I will be back in the near future swimming with Whaleswim somewhere in this beautiful world.

Date of experience: August 2018
1  Thank RoamingRedShoes
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 February 2019

Having wanted to swim with whales since a small child, on turning 35 (again)! I found this amazing company. I wanted to be sure that it was all eco friendly and in the best interests of the sea life and eco systems, unfortunately not all companies in the area are. WhaleSwim were superb from the initial booking all the way through the holiday, Rae was really helpful with arranging extra days accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip to making sure we were met at the ferry terminal for transport to the accommodation.
We had very comfortable chalets right on the beach,friendly staff, someone to book extra trips throughout for our free time, lovely little restaurants and cafes with in a short walk for non meal days, and free use bikes if you did want to explore alone.
There were 5 days out on the water to swim with the whales but also sharks and rays and we were extremely lucky to have a turtle swim past. The boat staff were very friendly and professional and obviously loved what they do really wanting to make sure we had the best possible experience both in and out of the water, always having cold water and fresh fruit to share with us. I had unfortunately injured my back a few weeks before our trip so I didn’t get in the water on a couple of days but the days I did I was always helped to get the best out of the time.
We can’t thank everyone enough for such an amazing time.

Date of experience: September 2018
Thank Nicola D
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 February 2019 via mobile

Lauren and I had another fabulous adventure off Moorea with Whaleswim. Maire our outstanding guide ensured we got closeup to mothers and calves everyday with the added bonus of hearing a “singer” and seeing an escort “ spy hop” just a few metres from our boat. Thanks to Rae and Magenta for fabulous hospitality and our fellow swimmers from across the globe who helped make our holiday so special. We will return.

Date of experience: September 2018
1  Thank johnhK6040GM
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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