Snorkelling with Humpback Whales in Rurutua

What could be more exciting than to snorkel with a 40-ton Humpback Whale? Unlike many other popular whale-watching spots around the world, whale-watching in Rurutu has not reached such large-scale proportions, and snorkellers can get surprisingly close to these gentle giants.

Located in the Australes Archipelago to the South of Tahiti this small island, 10 kilometres (6 miles) long and averaging 5 kilometres (3 miles) wide, is surrounded by a continuous reef and has a coastline dotted with limestone caves. A volcanic peak with no lagoon, tourism is in its infancy, although there are a number of guest houses for those wishing to stay and experience a little of Polynesian life.

In the fairly shallow and therefore safer waters around Rurutu, pregnant Humpback Whales arrive in June and July to give birth and nurse their young, before migrating back to the cooler waters of the Antarctic in November. The good visibility and the cooperative nature of the Humpback Whales make for a memorable encounter. If you are lucky this might be enhanced by the addition of a mother and a calf swimming together in these crystal clear waters!

The snorkelling trips leave twice a day, during the whale-watching season, for about three hours at a time. Cetacean encounters cannot be guaranteed; they are common but unpredictable. Some times a whale or family group is spotted immediately, other times it may take awhile, but the fantastic scenery is always on view. Once the whales have been located it is possible to get, slowly and quietly, into the water with these magnificent creatures. The calves cannot spend long underwater and are often at the surface, and depending on her mood, the mother whale may come and bring the calf right up to the boat!

Snorkelling with the whales is organised through Raie Manta Club Rurutua, an offshoot of the Raie Manta Club in Rangiroa. They have many years of experience snorkelling with the whales. As this can be an unpredictable encounter it is advised to try and spend a number of days on Rurutu and if at all possible a week. It is not possible to scuba dive with the whales as the bubbles tend to scare them away. Although most people come to the island to snorkel with the whales, scuba diving around the island is also possible.

There are a couple of simple pensions on the island that offer simple clean accommodation. Other than taking meals at your pension it is possible to get simple lunches near the waterfront where the whale-watching trips depart.