Swim With Humpback Whales.
Come Home Different.

No. You don't need any dive certification. If you're a confident swimmer and comfortable using a mask, snorkel, and fins in open water, you're ready.

Humpback whales often come right to the surface, so encounters happen at snorkel depth. We recommend being able to swim at least 150 metres unassisted in the open ocean.

We also include a freediving introduction session at the start of the expedition to help with body positioning, breath awareness, and comfort in the water.

Unsure whether your ocean experience is enough? Don't rule yourself out, talk to me. I read every application personally, I've made many exceptions, and with four guests I can adapt the expedition to you. Comfort in the water matters more than certificates.

No. Photography mentorship is an invitation, not a requirement, some of the deepest weeks here belong to guests who never pick up a camera and simply watch.

If you do shoot, you'll have two pros in the water beside you. If you don't, the whales are more than enough.

→ Mask, snorkel, and fins (your own for best fit)
→ Your own exposure system, a 3mm wetsuit is the baseline, and it's mandatory. We can't provide wetsuits or vests, but after you book I'll personally help you choose the right setup and talk it all through with you, so you arrive prepared. Overprepared beats underprepared.
→ Reef-safe sunscreen
→ Windbreaker and hat for boat rides
→ Your camera setup, any level, from action camera to professional rig (or none at all)

We also bring 2 professional underwater camera setups that you're welcome to try during the expedition at no extra cost.

The ocean is unpredictable, that's part of what makes it real.

Some rough days we adapt: shift to a half day, visit the lagoon, run a photography workshop, rest. And some days we stick it out, because this is an expedition, not a tour. We're on a mission, and that sometimes means enduring a bit of wind and stormy sea to find what we're looking for.

That's also why I'd rather have you overprepared than underprepared. The rough days build the crew, and when the ocean opens a window, you're there for it. Ready. Together.

Underwater photographers wanting world-class encounters and mentorship.
Ocean lovers craving genuine connection with marine life.
Creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs looking for an emotional reset.
Solo travellers wanting meaningful adventure with the right people.
Couples wanting a rare, shared life memory.

This is not designed for selfie tourists, bargain hunters, or anyone who needs guaranteed wildlife sightings. We're honest about that because it protects the experience for everyone.

Mo'orea's lagoon is home to blacktip reef sharks, small, harmless, and genuinely beautiful to observe. You'll likely see them during the guided lagoon visit, and many guests say it changes how they feel about sharks entirely.

In open water during whale encounters, shark sightings are extremely rare. Your hosts are experienced ocean professionals and safety is always the priority.

→ International flights to Tahiti
→ Mandatory travel insurance
→ Ferry ticket to/from Mo'orea
→ Your own snorkel/dive gear and camera equipment
→ Breakfasts
→ Lunches on half-day ocean days
→ 3 dinner outings per expedition, at your own cost, usually one local restaurant, one pizza night, and one joker
→ Extra snacks, alcoholic drinks, or café items
→ Visa or entry fees (if applicable)

Yes, a very limited number of 1:1 mentorship spots open on each Mo'orea expedition. Mentorships are application-only and booked separately from the expedition itself.

If you're interested, apply for the mentorship first on my mentorship page so we can confirm availability for your chosen week, then book your expedition spot here.

Four people share a boat and a villa for over a week, the group is the experience. So I choose for fit, not follower counts.

January 1, 2027. Payment plans between booking and January 1 are always possible, just talk to me.

And one thing worth knowing: if your 50% deposit arrives by September 15, 2026, the waitlist price applies, €9,000 for the long expeditions, €6,500 for the short one.