About Us
One With Whales started in Rurutu in 2019 as a conservation tourism project but draws on over 30 years of whale documentation and stewardship by the Tavita family. Rooted in the local community, we’ve built a respectful, sustainable program for observing humpback whales and connecting with Rurutu’s culture.
Our Story
One With Whales began in 2019 as a community-based conservation tourism project in Rurutu, French Polynesia. Its roots, however, run much deeper. For over thirty years, the Tavita family has been working with and documenting the annual humpback whale migration, preserving a legacy of stewardship and connection to these magnificent creatures.
As the first organized program on the island, we are proud to have built a foundation for respectful wildlife observation and integration, fully rooted in Rurutu’s local community, culture, and traditions. Our approach prioritizes sustainable tourism that not only showcases the beauty of marine wildlife but also gives back to the community. From paying fair wages to creating opportunities for local involvement, we aim to foster a greater understanding of why conservation matters—both for the environment and the people who call this island home.
The heart of our project is the Tavita family. Gisèle and Nahuma, the matriarch and patriarch of the family, began documenting and protecting the whales decades ago. Their children, Teiti and Onoï, continue this work today, along with our expert whale guide, Hervé, and the many faces who have become like family to us over the years.
Our international team complements this local expertise. Matt Reichel, a photojournalist from Vancouver, BC, founded the project with the vision of creating meaningful connections between people and nature. Jamie Lally from the UK leads our whale guiding operations with a deep passion for marine life, while Chris Adair from Victoria, BC, brings his expertise as a freediveing instructor and whale guide.
Our Team
Teiti Tavita
Teiti is the beating heart of our operations on the island. Trained in both Polynesian and French cuisine, Teiti’s culinary skills reflect his deep love for the art of cooking and his ability to bring people together through food. Whether it’s a thoughtfully prepared meal or an immersive cultural activity, Teiti’s passion and meticulous care shine in everything he does.
As mahu (two-spirited), Teiti embodies the beautiful fluidity of Polynesian culture, where identity and spirit blend harmoniously. He openly shares his journey and culture with warmth, humor, and a profound sense of responsibility. Whether guiding you through the rhythms of island life or sharing moments of laughter and reflection, Teiti ensures that every guest feels welcomed, nourished, and deeply connected to the island.
Onoï Tavita
Onoï is the fearless captain at the helm, guiding every adventure with unparalleled skill and precision. Having learned the art of seamanship from her father, Onoï has honed her ability to position the boat perfectly for each unforgettable encounter with the ocean’s giants. Her deep knowledge of the waters and her instinctive connection to the sea make her an exceptional guide and navigator.
Beyond her talents on the water, Onoï brings a contagious joy to every trip. Her lively spirit and sense of humor create a welcoming and fun atmosphere that guests cherish. As a mother of five boys, she embraces the beautiful chaos of life with grace and energy, embodying both strength and warmth. With Onoï, every journey is not only expertly executed but also filled with laughter, connection, and unforgettable memories.
Matt Reichel
Matt Reichel is a documentary photographer and social entrepreneur with a background in travel and media production. Passionate about cultural preservation and environmental conservation, he uses storytelling to inspire compassion and connect people to our planet’s heritage.
Matt first connected with the Tavita family online in 2017, a relationship that grew into a collaboration to establish One With Whales, blending his expertise with their decades of whale stewardship. Based between Mexico and Canada, Matt manages the operations of One With Whales, supporting its mission to connect people with marine wildlife. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, he bridges cultures worldwide while focusing on the organization’s growth and conservation efforts.
Jamie Lally
Jamie, originally from England, is a passionate nature and adrenaline lover who has been guiding wildlife and ocean expeditions since 2017. Since joining the team in Rurutu in 2022, Jamie has become an integral part of the family, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with every guest. Certified in Nitrox Scuba and a Level 1 Freediver, Jamie is as comfortable beneath the waves as he is above, bringing years of experience guiding tours in Baja California where he has worked with whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, sea lions, and more.
What sets Jamie apart is not just his expertise but his incredible ability to connect with people. His passion for wildlife is contagious, his sense of humor keeps spirits high, and his laid-back personality ensures everyone feels at ease, whether it’s their first or fiftieth time in the water. With Jamie as your guide, every encounter becomes a fun, safe, and unforgettable adventure.
Chris Adair
Christopher Adair is a professional freediver certified as an Instructor Trainer. Chris has facilitated freediving and breathwork since 2017, as owner-operator of Botton Dwellers. Based on Vancouver Island, Chris grew up playing in and on the waters surrounding southern Vancouver Island and its gulf islands at an early age where the foundation of his love for the ocean and all it holds began.
Chris has worked and supported in a variety of different programs over his career from instructional and safety roles for such programs as Amazing Race. Chris’ passions in the world of freediving lie in underwater photography where he loves to share the beauty of the aquatic world on one breath and responsible freedive-harvesting. Fluent in French having had an early childhood education in the francophone school system Chris will make the connection in your journey with breath, in and out of the water.
Hervé Coupel
Hervé Coupel is a seasoned whale guide from Rurutu with over two decades of experience. Born and raised on the island, Hervé has an intimate understanding of its waters and the whales that grace them. His exceptional ability to read whale behavior and predict their movements makes every encounter with him unforgettable. Whether spotting whales from a distance or predicting where they’ll surface after a dive, Hervé’s skills in the water are unparalleled.
Beyond his work as a guide, Hervé is deeply rooted in his community. As a school teacher, he dedicates his time to working with troubled youth, helping to shape the next generation. His dual roles as a mentor on land and a steward of the ocean reflect his profound commitment to Rurutu and its people. With Hervé, every journey is not only expertly guided but also enriched by his warmth, knowledge, and connection to the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
From whale hunters to whale protectors, it starts with a family.
Captain Nahuma Tavita hails from a lineage of renowned royal whalers on the small South Pacific island of Rurutu. Whaling, introduced by early European explorers, grew to hold cultural significance for families like the Tavitas. When the French government outlawed the practice in 1950, the tradition ended, rightly halting the bloodshed, but severing locals’ connection with the humpback migration.
As modern economic challenges emerged, many residents left Rurutu to find work elsewhere. Determined to revitalize his community and reconnect with the whales in a respectful, sustainable manner, Nahuma began documenting and researching the migrating humpbacks, transitioning from hunting to conservation, documentation, and eco-tourism.
With over 40 years of experience, the Tavita family leads responsible whale-swimming trips allowing visitors to swim alongside these majestic creatures. Their efforts are central to conservation initiatives and have revitalized Rurutu's economy and respect for some of our ocean’s largest inhabitants.
Nahuma’s children, Teiti and Onoï, continue this legacy, deepening their family's bond with the whales while preserving traditional practices like fishing, taro cultivation, and fruit farming. Unlike many other Polynesian islands, Rurutu thrives by maintaining its cultural heritage and living harmoniously with nature.
Testimonials
“We just had the most amazing time! Fabulous encounters w/the humpback whales. Jamie is an outstanding guide, one of the best we’ve had the pleasure of touring with. His leadership, patience and knowledge are exemplary. We especially liked how there were not tons of other boats around. The afternoon activities as well were heaps of fun. The house staff were warm and welcoming, delicious food. We’d repeat in a nanosecond!”
Nancy F.
“One with Whales arranges absolutely incredible travel experiences. I cannot say enough good things about the company's creativity, professionalism, and its ability to create unforgettable memories in some of the coolest, untouched places in the world. I did the Whales trip in Tahiti, and it was out-of-this-world amazing. Also, group leader Matt Reichel works magic with his photography skills to make sure all the memories will live on, not just in my head, but everywhere! Highly recommend to anyone looking to, not just travel, but to truly create amazing experiences and memories with others.”
Kevin X.
“That was a dream vacation! I cannot fathom a better way to start or spend the day than swimming with humpback whales in French Polynesia, the pearl of the South Pacific. It was an authentic experience and beautiful glimpse into the rich life and gracious people of Rurutu. I joined a solo female travel group that was filled with inspiring women age ranges from 31-56. Our guide Jamie was fantastic and was gracious enough to offer me his raincoat. I felt safe and well taken care of on this inclusive adventure.”
Leilani O.
“There aren’t really any words to explain such a trip. Magical, unreal, exceptional, etc. The whales are cool and all, but what did it for me was the people, both the locals and our group and guide. I’ve never experienced before such an atmosphere that provides unconditional support and celebration of all the layers that make me, me. It was certainly a life changing trip and reminded me that there’s still some good in the world and humans.”
Erin N.
“One With Whales in French Polynesia is a life changing trip. If swimming with whales isn't enough to have your breath taken away, then getting to live and laugh with the best local family surely is! Rurutu is a fantastic island and I couldn't have wished for a better host family! We had a truly fun group also and One with Whales had everything organized perfectly. Matt is a very passionate photographer and his photos are out of this world! Thanks for everything, keep rocking these amazing trips!”
Marleen D.
“Wonderful experience! Being in the water with the whales was amazing! It was a well packaged and organized experience with a good balance between the whale experience and local island activities. It was very integrated into the local community so you got a real sense of the island and lovely local people. Teiti's home is a great set up for hosting this kind of group and he is a man of many talents, connections and a wonderful person. Herve was our local whale guide - I swear the whales know him. Brandon lead our dragon's teeth hike and one boat day - great fellow as well. Our fearless leader Jamie, was also great - knowledgeable, fun and responsible (also made great adjustments to the schedule due to weather and peoples preferences). We had lots of time on the water and there was a great level of respect and approach to the whales, which made for a great experience! Would highly recommend!!!”
Heidi Orysiuk
“I just got back from my trip swimming with the whales and wow.. wow.. The trip was an exquisite experience, beyond words, heartfelt and magical. The whale encounters were phenomenal. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to swim eye-to-eye with such enormous, benevolent creatures.
And the part of the trip I was absolutely blown away by was the people. The fellow travelers, trip organizers, staff.. if you want a happy boost in your feelings for humanity, travel with these folks..
It was well organized, so much fun, exciting, heartfelt.. I’m so grateful for the amazing experience.”
JDR
“Travel offers a chance for a fresh breath of air or maybe long-awaited exhale. What I found with One with Whales took my meager expectations and discarded them, replacing them with a new life force.
I signed up for the One with Whales Program to fulfill a soul purpose since childhood. I did not anticipate coming together during a rare moment in history with amazing people who needed to disengage AND connect on a higher level.
Yes, we spent 8 days together in ideally hued blue seas swimming with majestic whales and forging our own connections with these special higher-level beings, but the human connection and community that was built during this process was so special.
The incredible Tavita family outstretched their hearts and wisdom to us and believe me - locking eyes in a tender moment with Mama (Gisele) is just as magical as when it happened for me with the mother whale on Day 6. The guides were excellent, knowledgeable, and now are people I would call my friends. And me? overflowing with self love, fulfillment and excitement for the future.”
Nicole H.
“I recently returned from the One with Whales expedition in French Polynesia and, in a nutshell, it was a once in a lifetime experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. Highlights:
The whales: This one is obvious, but we had some amazing whale encounters, and Inertia put the whales first in any encounter and that care really shows.
Our guides: Couldn't have asked for better guides, from Jamie, our Inertia guide, to Hervé and BB our local boat captains; they cared for the whales and the guests equally. We also had some amazing guided hikes & other experiences like a great photo / video editing workshop hosted by Jamie.
Rurutu and it's people: Teiti and his family were such amazing hosts and took care of all our needs, always with a smile (including incredible home cooked meals every night). The people of Rurutu are some of most warm and kind folks I have encountered in my travels.
There's so much more that's hard to articulate; but as I said, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip!”
Derek D.