Swim With Whales (2025): Everything You Need to Know
A swimmer with a humpback whale in Rurutu.
Updated 2025 Guide: Swimming With Whales Responsibly
A swim with whales is an emotional and life-changing experience that, when done responsibly, supports whale conservation and fosters a deep connection to these sentient animals. This awe-inspiring activity requires strong swimming skills and careful consideration of regulations to ensure both human safety and the whales’ well-being.
For many, it’s a lifelong dream, but proper research is crucial to ensure an ethical and enriching experience. In this guide, I’ll share insights from my 10 years of experience swimming with whales around the world. Whether you’re preparing for your first encounter or refining your skills, you’ll find essential safety tips, gear recommendations, and the best destinations by species to experience the magic of these magnificent marine mammals.
Is It Safe to Swim With Whales?
Despite their gentle nature, swimming with whales requires precautions to ensure both human and animal safety. Licensed operators follow strict regulations to minimize disturbance, including:
Limiting group sizes to 4-6 guests per in-water rotation (unless there is a feeding event or a heat run, where up to 8-10 may be acceptable).
Staying at least 100-150 meters away from whales when approaching by boat.
Letting the whales control the interaction—never chasing or swimming directly at them, instead wait about 15 metres from the whales and see if they approach (espeically with humpbacks).
Avoiding diving under mothers and calves, unless under strict guidelines where the interaction is permitted and trust has been established. It’s best to enjoy these intimate moments at the surface.
Whales are highly aware of their surroundings and exercise great control over their movements. With proper guidance, swimming with them can be a safe and transformative experience.
Key safety and responsibility guidelines:
Stay in a tight group—this is far less intimidating for whales and increases the likelihood of them approaching.
Never reach out or touch a whale. Whales are highly sensitive, and human contact can disturb them.
Avoid positioning yourself near a whale’s tail.
Swim along side whales, not at whales.
Be a strong open-water swimmer before attempting an in-water experience.
Freediving should only be done if the whales are already settled and interacting with you.
Know your gear and be comfortable in it (especially for cold water locations).
Use a backwards positioned light/torch on your mask if in darker waters, so captains and those on a boat can see you.
Always listen to your guide and captain.
A sperm whale in Dominica.
Best Places to Swim With Whales (By Species)
After a decade of leading and experiencing whale encounters worldwide, I have narrowed down the top destinations by species:
Humpback Whales
French Polynesia – Mo’orea (but crowded, with 20+ boats and insufficient regulations), Rurutu (my main operating area since 2018), Tubuai
Tonga – Vava’u (my former operating area from 2016-2017) very crowded but high density of whales.
Cook Islands – Aitutaki, fewer whales compared to French Polynesia and Tonga.
Niue – stricter regulations limit in-water activities, fewer whales than other hotspots.
Mozambique – great encounters, but lower visibility.
Moheli, Comoros – whales present, but inexperienced captains and challenging in-water access.
Norway – during the herring run, where they feed alongside orcas.
Sperm Whales
Dominica – Highly regulated, but the most reliable year-round resident population.
Mauritius – Less regulated, meaning more irresponsible practices, but also a year-round resident population.
The Azores – Especially around the island of Pico, a strict media or research permit is required for in-water access, max 3 people.
Orcas (Killer Whales)
Norway – The only place where in-water interactions with orcas are legal.
Sea of Cortez, Mexico – Some encounters happen, but swimming with orcas is mostly illegal under Mexican law.
Other Whale Species You Can Swim With
Minke Whales – Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Fin Whales – Norway.
Southern Right Whales – Australia (limited access), Argentina Patagonia (strict media/research permit only), South Africa (low visibility and very rough sea conditions).
Blue Whales – Timor-Leste, Azores (under permit only)
Seasonality
Whales are wild animals and most are migratory, meaning their activities and locations change with the season. Every year can be different from the last for a number of environmental, social and diet factors that can effect whale migration and behaviour patterns. Below is a general overview of the seasons for each species based on location, but remember, it can shift in a given year, sometimes by a few weeks, sometimes by a month or more.
Best Seasons for Swimming With Whales (By Species)
| Species | Best Locations | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Humpbacks | Rurutu, Tonga, Moorea, Cook Islands, Mozambique, etc | August - late October |
| Sperm Whales | Dominica, Mauritius | Year-round (best: Nov - May) |
| Orcas | Norway, Mexico (limited, mostly illegal in-water) | late October - late January (Norway), Year-round (Mexico) |
| Minke Whales | Great Barrier Reef, Australia | June - August |
| Fin Whales | Norway | late October - late January |
| Southern Right Whales | Argentina (Patagonia), South Africa, Australia | June - October |
Cold water diving in Norway in January.
Gear & Wetsuit Recommendations
Having the right gear makes all the difference in comfort, safety, and your ability to enjoy the experience.
Wetsuits: Choosing the Right Thickness
Cold water (Norway, Patagonia, South Africa) → 7-8mm open-cell hooded wetsuit, 7mm gloves, and 9mm socks. Open-cell wetsuits are far better than drysuits, as they provide flexibility and better insulation in the water. For South Africa, a 5mm open cell should be sufficient.
Temperate water (French Polynesia, Tonga, Mozambique) → 2-3mm wetsuit (or a full 3mm if you get cold easily).
Warm water (Dominica, Mexico, Mauritius) → Swimsuit and rash guard (no wetsuit needed).
Essential Gear
Fins – Long freediving fins are highly recommended for speed and efficiency. However, they can cause muscle cramps if you’re not used to them, so practice beforehand.
Mask & Snorkel – Your mask is your window to the underwater world, so invest in a high-quality, well-fitting mask to avoid leaks and discomfort.
Anti-fog drops or baby shampoo – Helps keep your mask clear for optimal visibility.
Sun protection – UV-protective swimwear (UPF 50+), reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+), rash guards, and polarized sunglasses.
Waterproof camera – Capture the moment while maintaining a respectful distance from the whales.
Surf robes (cold water) – Staying warn on the boat is normally the bigger challenge than temperture regulation in the water, as long as your gear is working properly. For cold water locations, a fleece interior waterproof exterior surf robe is a great asset. For temperate temperature locations, a neoprene jacket works great.
Neoprene socks for tropical locations – Even in warm water, these protect feet from blisters inside fins.
Weight belt (and weights) – Helps maintain neutral buoyancy and better positioning, also helps keep your body in the water instead of on top of it, thus minimizing splashing and surface noise.
Dive hood for colder locations – Helps with heat retention and keeping water out of ears
A free diver with a playful pair of humpback whales in Rurutu.
Can You Swim With Whales?
Yes, but it’s generally heavily regulated, with only certain whale species and locations allowing in-water interactions. Here’s what you need to know:
Physical Fitness – You must be able to swim at least 200 meters unaided in open water (with fins).
SCUBA Certification – Not required.
Permits – Special permission is needed based on the location. Some locations only permit media and research permits, while others permit tourism. Some locations don’t have a permit system but have other regulations in place.
Insurance – While not mandatory, I highly recommend travel and medical insurance from reputable providers like Amex or Allianz. These companies offer fast reimbursements and easy claims filing.
Age Restrictions – Usually 8-12 years old minimum, depending on the operator and location. I’ve taken a guest as young as 6 in the water with humpbacks, with a parent there and on a safety float.
Observing a humpback mother and calf when an eager escort swoops in.
Conservation & Responsible Whale Tourism
By choosing eco-friendly and conservation-focused whale tours, especially tours that go further away from areas of mass tourism and overcrowding, you help protect whale populations and their habitats. Sustainable operators:
Follow strict guidelines to minimize disturbance in each location.
Support whale research and local conservation initiatives.
Use eco-friendly products and low-impact boat operations.
Avoid overcrowded so-called “ecotourism” locations and avoid operators who get too close to or harass the animals.
Let’s Talk More About Overtourism
Since Moorea and Tonga have become more crowded due to the explosion of interest from social media, I want to implore guests to consider choosing less trafficked destinations, like Rurutu, Tubuai, or Niue, where interactions are more intimate and ethical. While these locations don’t have the same number of migratory whales that are typically attracted to Tonga and Moorea, they have far fewer boats and operators. Overtourism places an extreme amount of pressure on both captains to deliver results and the whales themselves.
Some locations have seen declines in whale behavior, potentially due to excessive tourism (and increased boat traffic in general), among other factors (such as warming sea temperatures) like the case of Sri Lanka and it’s disappearing blue whale population.
Another example to look at is Mauritius’ lack of regulation, as it’s currently an example of what happens when tourism is unregulated and the animals’ welfare is totally disregarded.
As travelers, we have the power to vote with our wallets by supporting responsible tourism that ensures these magnificent animals continue to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Swimming with whales offers unparalleled awe-inspiring encounters that deepen our appreciation for marine life. Each destination has its own unique charm, and choosing the right location based on species, regulations, and ethical considerations is key to an unforgettable experience.
If you’re considering a whale swimming adventure, embrace the journey with respect, patience, and a sense of responsibility. The ocean offers us an incredible gift—let’s ensure we treat it, and its inhabitants, with the reverence they deserve.
Have questions? Share them in the comments—I’m happy to help guide you on this incredible experience.
