Since many years ago, from July to October, humpback whales come to Polynesian’s waters to reproduce and give birth.
Their arrival in the Polynesian’s waters is a great moment, highly expected by lovers of the sea. Polynesia is a reproduction protected area, a veritable sanctuary for marins mammals.
Thanks to this protection, the natural marine heritage of Polynesia and the reproduction of whales have been protected. Moreover, the governement had specified standard approaches in order to respect the marins mammals’ life cycle: furthest distance between the boats and the animals, approach speed, etc.
Fishermen are generaly the first to know that whales have arrived. Since the beginning of July, humpback whales stay alone or by small groups in Polynesian’s waters. September is the best moment to see whales as this is the period during which attendance is highest.
Whale watching
Polynesia will offer you the most amazing whales watching conditions. In fact, whales stay close to the reef, at the edge of passing and in some bays. So you will not have so many boat hours to get really close. In a word, Polynesia is a wonderful place to observe and take videos of these marvelous animals.
There are many providers that offer whales watching on small boats. These boats are very mobile and fast, so it is quite easy to have close observations. Of course, you need not to have sensitive to sea sickness and sun! Here is a list of dive operators in Tahiti.
Moorea and Tahiti islands are definitely the best places for whales watching as there is many very well equipped providers. Whale observations tend to be more frequent in Moorea.
The frequency has been rising during the last years and there’s not many places where you don’t spot the whales. In fact, whales are quite used to see humans and their strange boats! So it is easy to approach them, specially females and calfs that don’t run away and gladly stay next to the swimmers.
Is there any other place in the world where you have the chance to swim with a mass of 11 meters and 30 tons?
Yes, there are several worldwide renowned places in the world for whale watching:
Summer:
Nort Atlantic: New England, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, the northern St. Lawrence River, the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of Iceland.
North Pacific: California, Alaska, Oregon,Washington, British Columbia
Southern Hemisphere: Antarctica, Bahía Solano and Nuquí in Colombia
Winter:
North Atlantic: Dominican Republic, the Bay of Biscay (Spain and France).
North Pacific: Hawaii, Baja, the Bahía de Banderas of Puerto Vallarta
Southern Hemisphere: Sydney, Byron Bay north of Sydney, Hervey Bay north of Brisbane, North and East of Cape Town, New Zealand, the Tongan islands.
Diving while hearing a whale’s melody is already something unbelievable but words are totaly missing when you have the chance to see and swim with them… only one word comes to mind : absolutely amazing!
Of all large whales, humpback whales are the most demonstrative. They can offer you a wonderdul show. Contact with an humpback whale is a concentrate of emotions, a great moment in league and probably the most beautiful of privileges.
Sometimes, it will be possible to join whales on the water. Here again… the show is unforgettable! The whale movements are a grace and majesty unparalleled.
How not to be touched by moments of complicity between a mother and her calf who come blotire against each other?
It happens quite often to swim very close to the mother and her calf, and this event is almost unimaginable.
But it is not uncommon to see many boats and lot of swimmers stay for hours next to whales. Even though there is a strict legislation to protect whales and to regulate the watching, what happens is a real mass whale watching, unruly and disruptive… even shocking ! it is not more watching… it has becoming voyeurism.
It is really important not to forget that whales don’t migrate to Polynesia to be seen. Polynesian’s waters are a place for reproduction and birth… Which means it is an area where there are the most critical stages of their lives, their survival.
Why a female and her calf don’t leave when there are boats ? it is not because they accept our presence but because migration, birth, nursing, protection of their calfs are really exhausting for the mother.
For all these reasons, It is very important to keep in mind the main rules approach, so that we don’t disturb the whales too much. To be able to see whales, a breath, a jump, a melody… all these are elements will help us to find them.
During whale watching, it is not impossible to see a breath, go closer and then saw the whale leaving under our noses! Then nothing during several minutes… where are they? generally whales go up every 10-15 minutes. Normally they are not really far, even sometimes just under the boat. Some apneas are longer, typicalle when the whale moves.
Another thing to have in mind is that females are extremely protective with their calfs. They always come between the danger and the calf. The baby is really unconcerned and this makes it very vulnerable. He is also an easy target for whalers who did not hesitate to kill him and then attacking his mother.
Not very often, females might show threating movements to extremmely insistent observers : jumps, movements of tail more or less violent can clearly indicate her irritation.
If it happen to us, common sense must be practiced. Respect for the whales then leave naturally away from the animals.
Occasionally, his play area is occupied by boats and swimmers, funny things and funny animals, restless, noisy! The female doesn’t hesitate to go up to check if there is any danger. If she is scared, she would run away with her baby to the depths, leaving her little freely reach the surface without losing sight.
Sometimes, the calf seems to like our presence, take jumps or play with the flexibility of his body. This unique moment can spend hours and hours… but don’t forget safety rules as the animal weighs several tons !
Saying that, whale watching can be very long and tedious and we have to show great patience. No question on rushing animals by a hasty approach. It is always best to let them gradually get used to the presence of the boat.
It can be long… and sometimes very discouraging for more than one. However, when you can see, swim and observe these sweet mammals… it will be a very special and unique moment. It would be a shame that the naturalist trip gives way to a stampede that cultivates non-compliance with wildlife. Do not forget that ocean is not our territory and which is most important, if we want to continue observing whales, we have to be respectful.
There is no other way to enjoy these unique moments that come and live it by yourself.
Remember that a quiet and respectful approach is important to go on the water.
