Where to Swim With Humpback Whales (2025): Tonga vs French Polynesia
A free diver engages a playful calf at the surface in Rurutu.
Swimming with humpback whales is an unforgettable experience. These sentient and playful giants offer some of the most magical wildlife encounters in the ocean. However, before booking your trip, it’s essential to choose the right location—not only for your own experience but also to ensure responsible and ethical interactions that prioritize the well-being of the whales.
Two of the top destinations for swimming with humpbacks are Tonga and French Polynesia, both of which have long histories of whale tourism with regulated in-water encounters. But which is the best for you? In this guide, we break down the pros and cons of each destination, considering water clarity, regulations, crowd levels, and overall experience to help you make an informed decision.
A free diver enjoys a swim with two highly interactive adult humpback whales off the coast of Rurutu, Austral Islands, French Polynesia.
French Polynesia: Rurutu & Moorea
French Polynesia is best known for its overwater bungalows and honeymoon resorts, but it is also a premier whale-watching destination between August and November. Humpbacks migrate here to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. The two most popular whale-swimming locations in French Polynesia are Rurutu and Moorea. COVID sent a lot of business from Tonga to French Polynesia, and regulations have only come into place starting in 2025, so we will see what impact this has on whale swimming here.
Humpback mother and calf in Rurutu.
Rurutu: Remote, Pristine, and Intimate
Rurutu, a small and traditional island, offers one of the most exclusive and intimate whale encounters in the world. The absence of a surrounding lagoon means that deep, clear waters begin right off the coastline, attracting pregnant whales and mothers with calves.
✅ Pros of Rurutu:
Exceptional water clarity – Some of the clearest, if not the clearest, in the region.
Whales in the shallows – Since there is no motu, the whales some very close to shore and tent to hang above the reef, which is excellent for photos.
Low boat traffic – Only four licensed operators are permitted to run whale tours, preventing overcrowding (currently 7 boats on the island).
Longer season – mid August September through the end of October is particularly good.
Authentic Polynesian culture – The island remains largely untouched by mass tourism.
Community-based – accommodations, meals, and boats are all locally owned and your money goes to the community here.
❌ Cons of Rurutu:
Limited non-whale activities – No major resorts, beaches, or nightlife.
Harder to access – Requires a flight from Tahiti.
Basic accommodations – No high-end lodging options.
Increasing spill over from Moorea – When we first started working in Rurutu in 2018 there were only 3 boats for whale swimming on the island, now there are 7 and for little Rurutu it’s starting to feel crowded. Hopefully the 2025 regulations will help alleviate this pressure.
Coastline of Mo’orea with Tahiti in the background.
Moorea: Stunning but Crowded
Mo’orea, a short ferry ride from Tahiti, is a tourist hotspot with stunning scenery and vibrant marine life. Whale swimming here is a popular activity, but overcrowding is a major issue.
✅ Pros of Moorea:
Convenient access – Just a short ferry from Tahiti, which is very accessible from California.
Tons of activities – Snorkeling, diving, hiking, and cultural experiences.
Good water clarity – Although not as clear as Rurutu.
❌ Cons of Moorea:
Overcrowding – Large numbers of tourists in the water at once.
Less regulation – Multiple boats could drop dozens of tourists into the water near whales.
Many day-trippers – Many casual day tripping tourists with poor swimming abilities and whale harassment.
New French Polynesia Regulations for 2025
As of 2025, French Polynesia has introduced stricter whale-swimming regulations to protect whales and improve visitor experiences. We don’t know how these regulations will be enforced, as 2025 will be the first season of implimentation, but we can go over the key changes, which include:
Maximum 6 guests + 1 guide in the water at a time (with a 3 boat limit around a whale in Moorea and Tahiti, and a supposed 1 boat limit around a whale in Rurutu).
100m exclusion zone around whales; boats cannot enter without authorization.
15m stop swimming zone once in the water to not harass whales (this allows the whales to approach closer if they choose).
One registered boat per individual.
Restricted hours for whale encounters (7:30 AM – 5:30 PM).
We hope that these changes should reduce stress on the whales and create a more exclusive and ethical experience, but time will tell.
Read more: Full details on French Polynesia’s 2025 whale regulations.
Tonga: Vava’u
The Vava’u archipelago in Tonga is one of the world’s most famous locations for swimming with humpback whales. The deep, warm waters provide an ideal nursery for mothers and calves, attracting these gentle giants from July through October.
✅ Pros of Vava’u, Tonga:
Strict regulations – Only five people (four swimmers + guide) allowed in the water at a time.
Heat runs – Large groups of whales competing for mates, offering dramatic encounters, bigger and more dramatic than anywhere else.
Reliable whale sightings – High density of whales in the area.
Amazing beaches on the small outer islands, if looking for things to do on a Sunday (no whale boats can operate on Sundays in Tonga by law)
❌ Cons of Vava’u, Tonga:
Too many boats – With nearly 50 whale-watching boats operating, there’s high competition.
Shorter interactions – as boats tend to queue up and wait for a space to get in the water with a group of settled whales, interaction times are normally limited to 15 minutes or one resurfacing.
Alternating drop groups – unless you’re on a boat with just 4 guests, most boats have 8 guests and thus must alternate into two groups when getting into the water for drops.
Declining water clarity – Increasing sedimentation affects visibility.
Limited activities – Aside from whale tours, there isn’t much else to do.
Other locations in Tonga, such as Ha’apai and Tongatapu, are less crowded alternatives worth considering, but do not see the same whale population that is attracted to Vava’u’s waters every year.
Other Destinations for Humpback Whale Swimming
While Tonga and French Polynesia remain the top choices, Hervey Bay (Australia) and Silver Bank (Dominican Republic) are alternative options—but with significant drawbacks.
Hervey Bay, Australia: Strictly Controlled and Limited
Hervey Bay is one of the only places in Australia where whale swimming is allowed—but only before calves arrive (July–mid-September).
✅ Pros:
Highly regulated – Ensures whale well-being.
Easy access – Short day trips from Queensland.
❌ Cons:
Restricted experience – You must hold onto a rope attached to the boat (no free diving).
Limited interaction – Only if the whales choose to approach.
No guarantee – If calves are present, no swimming allowed.
Only conducted before the calving season when whales are less likely to interact.
Best for: Beginners or those looking for a quick whale experience without a long trip.
Silver Bank, Dominican Republic: Expensive and Logistically Challenging
Silver Bank, located 100km off the coast of the Dominican Republic, is one of the few warm water places in the Atlantic where swimming with humpbacks is allowed.
✅ Pros:
Exclusive experience – Only a few liveaboard boats are permitted each season.
Guaranteed whale sightings – Large congregations of humpbacks.
❌ Cons:
Extremely expensive – Requires a weeklong liveaboard expedition ($6,000+ per person).
Poor visibility – Murky, plankton-heavy waters.
Unpredictable interactions – Often only brief glimpses of whales underwater.
Difficult to access – Multi-day boat journey from Puerto Plata.
Limited permits – Booking must be done months in advance.
Verdict: Silver Bank may be exciting for whale watchers but is not ideal for in-water experiences. Tonga, French Polynesia, or even Australia provide superior visibility and interaction quality.
Which Destination is Best for Whale Swimming? Our Rankings:
| Destination | Best For | Water Clarity | Crowds | Regulations | Whale Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austral Islands, FP (Rurutu, Tubuai) | Exclusive, intimate encounters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Moorea, FP | General tourists, mixed activities | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Vava’u, Tonga | Dedicated whale trips, heat runs | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ha’apai, Tonga | Less crowded alternative | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Hervey Bay, AUS | Beginner-friendly day trips | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Silver Bank, DR | Luxury liveaboard experiences | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aitutaki, Cook Islands | Remote whale encounters in a lagoon setting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Niue | One of the least crowded whale swimming spots | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mozambique | Wild, unregulated, adventurous encounters | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Moheli, Comoros | Untouched and remote whale encounters | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Final Thoughts: Responsible Whale Swimming in 2025
Whale swimming is a privilege, not a right.
With increasing tourism pressures, ethical and responsible interactions are more important than ever.
Choose destinations with strict regulations that prioritize whale well-being.
Respect exclusion zones and rules—never chase or crowd a whale.
Support sustainable operators that focus on education and conservation.
Your choice matters. By selecting ethical whale-swimming locations, you help ensure these gentle giants are protected for generations to come.
What’s your top pick for swimming with humpback whales? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
