How to Safely Swim with Humpback Whales: A Complete Guide
A pair of humpback whales actively engages a free diver in Rurutu, French Polynesia.
Want to swim with humpback whales in French Polynesia? Learn the best safety practices to ensure a magical and responsible encounter with these gentle giants.
Is It Safe to Swim with Humpback Whales?
Absolutely—when done responsibly. While humpback whales are massive (up to 40 tons!), they are incredibly graceful and aware of their surroundings. However, understanding their behavior and following proper guidelines is key to ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience.
Here’s how to swim with humpbacks safely and respectfully.
1. Let the Whales Control the Interaction
When swimming with humpback whales, you are entering their world, not the other way around. Respect their space and behavior.
✅ Always follow your guide—they will assess whether a whale is open to interaction.
✅ Enter the water calmly at least 150 meters away, allowing whales to approach on their terms.
✅ If a whale chooses to engage, you’ll know! They’ll circle back, swim closely beneath you, or surface near you. On rare occasions they will actively swim with you, making constsiant passes directly at your body while rolling onto their bellies. This is an exciting (and sometimes intimidating) form of play. It is more common with babies and juvenile whales, but adult whales without young also engage in this behaviour on occasion.
🚫 Never chase or swim directly toward a whale—this will likely cause them to leave and avoid any interaction. This is especially true of mother whales with young calfs.
2. Never Touch a Whale
Humpbacks may seem friendly, but physical contact is dangerous—for both you and them.
❌ Whales have sharp barnacles on their fins and bellies that can cause painful cuts.
❌ Touching disrupts their natural behavior and can lead to stress or avoidance of humans.
❌ Close human contact may encourage whales to approach boats—a major collision risk.
If a curious calf or playful adult comes too close, remain still and gently move backward to avoid contact.
3. Keep a Safe Distance from Mothers & Calves
Humpback mothers are extremely protective of their young. A mother perceiving a threat may react unpredictably—or leave the area entirely.
✅ Stay at least 20–30 meters away from a mother and calf.
✅ Let them decide to approach—never initiate interaction.
✅ Understand that calves are playful but unpredictable—even a “small” 3–4 meter calf can accidentally hit you while breaching, thrashing or playing; they have less control over their bodies as adult whales do.
✅ Stay in a tight group with fellow swimmers—doing so will help build trust with the mother, as you are not spread apart, she will have an easier time judging the threat level.
❌ Do not dive on a mother and calf, especially when either of them are at the surface.
❌ Do not swim directly at the calf or appear to chase the calf, this will cause the mother or an escort to surface and take the calf away.
💡 Pro Tip: If a mother places her calf between herself and you, it’s a sign she trusts you. However, always let them lead the interaction. Go slow with mothers and calves. Take time to build trust, stay at a distance of 15 meters for a while. If this works out well, she will let you babysit the calf for hours while she rests below taking breaths every 20 minutes or so.
4. Avoid the Tail—It’s Extremely Powerful
A humpback’s tail is one of the strongest forces in the ocean, just three pumps of their tail is capable of launching their 40-ton bodies out of the water.
✅ Always stay near the whale’s head and within its field of vision.
✅ If a whale is changing direction or showing excitement, be extra cautious.
✅ Maintain a respectful distance—safety should always come first.
5. You Must Be a Strong Swimmer, But You Don’t Have to Free Dive
Whale swimming takes place in the open ocean—often with waves, currents, and deep water.
✅ You should be able to swim at least 200 meters unaided.
✅ Twist your body and swim on your side. This will help you swim more quickly and quietly in the water, and ensures that your fins stay below the surface and not splash loudly at the top.
✅ If you struggle with buoyancy or confidence in deep water, consider staying on the boat if there are larger swells, or better yet, practice in the ocean before joining a trip.
✅ Sudden movements and splashing can startle whales (and attract sharks, like oceanic whitetips). Move smoothly and calmly.
💡 Bonus Tip: Freediving improves your experience—being able to hold your breath for short dives enhances your connection with the whales.
6. Only Dive If the Whale Is Comfortable
Some whales love playful divers, but others get nervous if you dive too early.
✅ Wait for the whale to interact multiple times before attempting a shallow dive.
✅ Stay horizontal when diving—this prevents looking like a predator.
✅ Never dive with a mother and calf—stay at the surface instead.
7. Always Listen to Your Guide
Your whale guide is there to ensure a safe and respectful encounter.
✅ They understand whale behavior and will guide you on when and where to enter the water.
✅ If your guide signals you to move or stay back, follow their instructions immediately.
✅ Respect local regulations—not all locations allow free diving or close encounters.
In Rurutu, our local and foreign guides have spent years observing whale behavior, ensuring both your safety and the whale’s well-being.
Why Rurutu Is the One of the Best Places to Swim with Whales
Pristine waters – up to 50-meter visibility for breathtaking encounters.
More exclusive experience – Only 7 licensed boats, many at alternating times, ensure lower-impact tourism.
Authentic culture – Engage with traditional Polynesian island life.
Want the ultimate whale experience? Rurutu is unmatched. Join us!
Final Thoughts: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Swimming with humpback whales is one of the greatest wildlife encounters on Earth. By following these simple safety guidelines, you ensure:
A magical, stress-free experience for both you and the whales.
Your safety in the open ocean.
You contribute to ethical, sustainable wildlife tourism.
Ready to swim with humpback whales? Join us in Rurutu, French Polynesia, for an intimate and unforgettable adventure. Limited spots available.
