Whale Watching

Eco and Wildlife tour in Temae

Tour Price : upon request Duration : upon request Languages: English

Every year during the same season, humpback whales swim to French Polynesia from Antarctica. The first ones arrive in June and the last ones depart our islands in early December. The peak season is between mid-August and the end of October. Encounters during this period are very frequent.

Breeding females come to deliver their calves in the warm waters of Tahiti and the other adults come to find a mate while being sheltered from their natural off shore predators (such as the killer whale).

Whale watching should involve a professionally, trained operator who will have the skills to determine the whales’ activity phases (such as socializing, resting or moving). Boats or tenders should always slow down when they get close to the animals and never turn the engine off.

The operator must adopt a proper behavior so that the animals are respected and not bothered. Whale and dolphin watching is strictly regulated by law in Tahiti and her islands since the area has been designated as a sanctuary for marine mammals. Any operator must hold a special permit from the local government to carry out whale watching.

Rodolphe Holler, due to his trips aboard yachts and his work with scientists, is the only individual in the country to hold a permit allowing him to watch any type of marine mammals with his clients around the French Polynesian islands.

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