Why we only watch whales from the boat

During whale season, we're often asked if it's possible to snorkel or swim with the humpback whales. It's a fair question — and the honest answer is no, not with us. Here's exactly why, so you can make an informed choice.

Whales spend their time far offshore, in deep open water — and offshore is exactly where oceanic whitetip sharks live too, among the most aggressive shark species in the world. In Tahitian, this shark is known as the "parata."

Offshore waters are close to lifeless for long stretches — very little to eat. Oceanic whitetips have learned to follow whales for exactly this reason: to feed on whale feces, since it's better than nothing out there. A shark that has learned to associate whales with food, in a place with almost nothing else around, is not a shark you want to be swimming next to. Picture yourself as that shark for a moment: given the choice between whale droppings and a friendly human being nearby... which one do you think looks more appetizing?

The good news: none of this affects watching from the boat, which remains completely safe — and honestly, just as magical.

Sharks aside, snorkeling with a whale is far less realistic than it sounds — for several independent reasons that all have to stack up in your favor at once:

• The whale has to be resting still. If she's moving — even slowly for her — it's already too fast to follow by swimming.
• She then has to stay still for the full time it takes you to swim out and approach. Whales are sensitive animals: a noisy swimmer, another swimmer, or another boat nearby, and she's gone in an instant.
• While swimming, your head sits right at the waterline — and with ocean swell out in open water, it's genuinely difficult to see anything at that level, let alone swim in the right direction.
• By law, snorkelers must stay at least 15 meters (50 feet) from a whale.
• By law, the boat must stay at least 100 meters (330 feet) from a whale — meaning you'd need to swim a minimum of 200 meters (660 feet) round trip, in the open ocean, just to get close and back. That takes a strong, confident swimmer in good physical condition: the open ocean can be windy and choppy, and this is genuinely physical.

From the boat, none of these problems exist. You see her clearly, every time, for as long as she's around.

For your safety, the whales' peace, and honestly the best possible view — we watch from the boat only. It's not a compromise; it's simply the smartest way to experience these incredible animals in the wild.

Curious what a tour with turtles and whale watching combined looks like? Have a look at Tour #08, or browse Tour #07 for whale watching on its own.