SWIM WITH WHALES IN MO’OREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

BREATHTAKING MOMENTS WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS ON EARTH

This once-in-a-lifetime expedition will take you to one of earth’s true paradises. In a small group, you’ll respectfully and ethically witness nature in her most beautiful form - the humpback whale.

Picture yourself in a state of awe. When we’re not looking for whales we’ll be meeting other ocean animals including friendly stingrays and sharks. In the afternoons we’ll explore this breathtaking island, enjoy our private pool, fill up on nourishing chef-cooked food, play endless silly games, take photos and connect over deep chats and so much laughter.

2026 Applications open soon - get on the mailing list!
  • EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

    - Respectful & Ethical Interactions with Whales, Sharks and Stingrays

    - Small group of likeminded adventurers

    - 24/7 support from a dedicated and super experienced hosting team to care for you

    - Authentic villa with stunning private pool and beach Coral Conservation Experience*

    - Photo Package of Land and Lagoon Activities (pls see more details below)

    *additional cost

  • 2026 DATES

    NEW 2026 DATES

    Week 1: 17 - 23 Aug
    Week 2: 25 - 31 Aug 
    Week 3: 2 - 8 Sep 
    Week 4: 10 - 16 Sep
    Week 5 (tbc): 18 - 24 Sep 
    Week 6 (tbc): 26 Sep - 2 Oct 

  • INVESTMENT

    2026 Prices start from USD $5500
    (approx AUD $8000 on exchange rate)

    Various packages and payment plans are available.

    Scroll to Expedition Details to check out the Packages!

  • WHO IS THIS FOR?

    Passionate, ocean-loving adventurous types on a mission to live an extraordinary life.

    We need you to be confident swimming in deep, choppy water,

    Freediving skills are not required!

    The thing we care most about is your vibe, and we’re looking for people who care more about creating connections and memories than they care about their IG following.

EXPEDITION DETAILS

  • OUR MISSION:

    To create moments that our guests will think about for the rest of their time on earth.

    WHAT DRIVES US:

    • Being the best in our category, That doesn’t mean fancy hotels or fake promises. It means having the highest standards. Caring about our guests more. Putting in more effort. Making sure we max out every resource we have to create INCREDIBLE experiences.

    WE’RE HERE FOR YOU, NOT US

    Most wildlife expeditions are run by content creators as a way to fund their content creation. Nothing wrong with that, as long as their guests know what to expect.

    We are NOT content creators. We are experience facilitators. We aren’t going to ditch guests after the dive. We aren’t going to make you line up for a quick photo and then send you off to entertain yourselves. You’re the VIP, not us.

    WE’RE EXTREMELY SELECTIVE

    We ask guests to apply. Spicy, we know, but it helps us create an AMAZING group vibe of shared values and shared motivations. Let’s be real, we’ve all had a major experience ruined by one personality, and we don’t want to let that happen.

    We are also extremely selective about operators we partner with, locations we choose, and the staff that represent us. We’d rather NOT deliver the trip than deliver something sub-par.

    OUR COMMITMENT

    Here’s what you can expect from us:

    • Honest pricing. We charge you what we need to to pay staff and run trips sustainably.

    • Small groups

    • Dedicated 24h facilitators on retreat. We won’t ditch you for dinner or disappear at 3pm.

    • Convenient and secure booking platform.

    • Regular communication and support from our full time ops team.

    • Professionally qualified, experienced, and insured facilitators (no volunteers or trainees).

    • Licensed operators chosen for their safety records and values.

    • A LOT of silliness and fun. Expect games, dancing, human pyramids, dirty jokes, and our signature Immersia Olympics…

    • You're an ocean and nature lover. You’re open to rolling with the unpredictable.

    • You're a strong, fit swimmer in deep, choppy water. You can swim 300+m in mixed ocean conditions with speed. You can lower/lift yourself into the boat with no assistance

    • NO FREEDIVING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

    • You’re here to make friends! And you're patient, and respectful in a group setting.

    • You value the safety and wellbeing of the group AND the animals

    • Medically fit - we everyone to complete a medical statement and we may require clearance from a doctor.

    • Minimum 18 years of age

  • There are plenty of expeditions out there. Let’s make sure we’re the right fit.

    Expect seamless booking, clear communication, and 24/7 support from our team. We care deeply about doing things well.

    We never force wildlife interactions for photos.

    Days start early and are full of diving, movement, and adventure. Nights are relaxed and social, not party-focused.

    We celebrate variety. Our guests range from 22 to 68 in age! All backgrounds welcome. LGBTQIA+ friendly.

    We value kind, respectful, drama-free people and great group energy. Think laughter, games, connection, and a little silliness.

    If you need extra support, reach out. We’re always happy to chat and make sure it’s the right experience for you.

  • We’ve been doing this for a while. We know that it’s the PEOPLE, not the wildlife/weather/accommodation/etc. that will make this a life-changing trip.

    This is one of our more high-stakes, high-intensity expeditions, and we want to make sure you’re ready for this kind of adventure!

    When we review applications we’re asking ourselves 3 questions:-

    • Is your ocean experience and skill a good match for this?

    • Do we share similar values around wildlife interaction and group dynamics?

    • Do we fit with what you’re looking for?!

    The application process is NOT about assessing your IG follower number or cool you are; it’s about us being super honest and ensuring that you’re going to get the most of of this adventure!

    Trust us - this small extra effort on both sides means that you can turn up confident in the knowledge that you’ll be at the right level, with great people, who are all on the same page.

    • 6 nights of accommodation in a beautiful guest house in Moorea, with our own private pool

    • 5 days of magical marine interactions - swimming with whales, sharks and the friendliest stingrays

    • 3 nutritious, chef-prepared, plant-based dinners at home by our magical Italian chef and house Mama.

    • Daily Breakfast and Lunch (most dietary restrictions can be managed), unlimited water and hot drinks. Breakfast served continental style with breads, yogurts, cereals and fruits.

    • Photography Package from our epic professional photographer and co-host

    • Workshops, Activities and Games - we will tailor the schedule of each week to the vibe and preferences of the group.

    • Use of paddleboards and kayaks

    • Pickup from the Mo’orea Ferry and Transport around the island in a private van

      NOT INCLUDED

    • Flights

    • Ferry transfers from Tahiti to Moorea - we will met you at the Moorea ferry terminal Moorea at the start of the trip

    • 3 Dinners out - we;ve chosen a variety of cuisines - average main course costs around USD$20-25

    • Alcohol or other drinks

    • Specific snacks or treats you’d like to bring

    • Freediving equipment (we’ll provide guidance on where buy in advance)

    • Travel Insurance – This is mandatory and self-funded. All guests must have coverage in the event of travel disruptions or injuries/sickness. We are affiliated with DiveAssure and suggest checking them out for comprehensive dive and travel insurance designed for divers.

  • 2026 PRICES

    • Shared Twin Room (price pp) - USD $5500.00

    • Couples/Friends King Ensuite (price pp) - USD $5900.00

    • Private Queen Room (price pp) - $5900.00

    • Non-swimming Guest (price pp) - email to enquire

    PAYMENT SCHEDULE

    • Non refundable deposit of USD $1000 secures your spot.

    • 50% payments must be completed by 5 months before your expedition date.

    • All final balances are due 13 weeks ahead of your expedition.

    Payment Plans available!

    When you book you can opt into a monthly payment schedule.

  • We understand that life is unpredictable. Here is our policy if something happens or you change your mind. Please think carefully before booking as we cannot make exceptions to this policy. We run small group adventures with a high level of personalized service, so late cancellations have a significant impact!

    Full payment is due no less than 3 months before the trip start date, and late payment may result in the cancellation of your spot and loss of deposit.

    • Deposit: Non-Refundable.

    • Cancellation of trip up to 13 weeks before the start date: Refund or Credit less Deposit.

    • Cancellation within 3-5 months weeks of the start date: Credit of 50% less Deposit to be used within 1 year.

    • Cancellation within 8 weeks of the start date: No Refunds or Credits. Name change may be available.

    Please read our Terms and Conditions here. All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover them in the event that they are sick or unable to attend with late notice.

  • WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN APPLICATIONS

    We want to make sure WE are a good fit for YOU!

    It’s not about proving anything to us. We are reading your application with 3 things in mind:-

    • Your experience/skill in the water. For this expedition we need you to be confident in deep open ocean, and we recommend taking a freediving course beforehand!

    • Will this expedition meet your expectations and needs?

    • Do we have shared values around wildlife, nature and thr group dynamic? We love hosting guests who want to connect with others, who respect nature and are here for more than just ‘content’.

  • Your photography package focuses on:

    • Our land adventures and life around the villa

    • Lagoon portraits, scenes and wildlife shots

    • Snorkelling and freediving photos in between whale swims

    PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee any human + whale photos. Whilst we have been lucky in the past, we feel that focusing on this type of photography negatively impacts the whales and the group dynamic.

    We’d rather you leave with unforgettable encounters and a handful of beautiful memories, instead of chasing a single frame.

    Please expect that the photographer may not be present in the water during most whale interactions. You, the guest, are the focus, not our photography portfolio.

2026 DATES LAUNCHING SOON - ARE YOU ON THE MAILING LIST?

OUR HOME FOR THE WEEK

We’ve secured one of the most in-demand villas on the entire island. Think more ‘cosy Polynesian beachhouse’ than ‘luxe hotel’.

The villa is tucked away in a private community, directly on the water with sunrise views. Watch sunrise and whales breaching on the horizon from the pool deck and little private beach.

The villa is made up of 2 buildings:

  • the main house (for private rooms)

  • the garden studio (for shared room guests)

There’s plenty of space for chilling, games and relaxation, and 2 kitchens which guests are welcome to use (although our chef will always be preparing delicious feasts!)

We’re walking distance to the closest shop and juice bar for any little treats or extras you might like.

THE HOSTING TEAM

*subject to change depending on the expedition week

BELLA

Founder of Immersia Freediving, Head Facilitator/Instructor

In 2017, I left London and my corporate consulting career for Bondi Beach and discovered the world of freediving, and the broader ocean community.

I was terrified of deep water, currents, waves, and sharks. It didn’t come naturally. But slowly, confidence replaced fear. Freediving felt weightless and quiet, like dancing underwater. I found calm, strength, and my closest community, including my husband.

I realised I wanted to help everyday people experience that same transformation.

So in 2020, I walked away from my career and started Immersia Freediving.

Five years later, we’ve taught 1,500+ people and hosted ocean expeditions in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. I truly believe that the ocean has something to teach every person who comes to it, and that’s what we’re here for.

EWAN

Co-Facilitator at Immersia Freediving | Renowned Wildlife Cinematographer | Immersia Beach Olympics MC

Ewan is a lifelong ocean and nature lover who grew up on the coast of New South Wales, chasing waves and exploring the wild.

He began his career as a professional bodyboarder, riding heavy breaks like Shipstern Bluff and Tahiti’s Teahupo’o, learning to stay calm and capable in extreme ocean conditions. That connection to nature naturally evolved into cinematography.

Today, he’s a wildlife cinematographer working with BBC Natural History, Netflix, National Geographic and Disney+, capturing rare and remote animal behaviours around the world.

Since day one at Immersia, he’s been our head photographer, host and instructor, guiding guests to experience the ocean with skill, respect and care. Moʻorea is one of his favourite places on Earth, and he loves sharing it with others.

Micol

Our Private live-in chef and Villa Host

After long days spent on the water, we’ll be returning home to deeply nourishing, vibrant plant-based meals prepared by Micol, our private live-in chef and villa host. Her food is designed to restore energy, support recovery and bring people together around the table (or poolside!), blending her Italian roots with seasonal and local ingredients in an intuitive, mindful approach to cooking.

Micol is an Italian chef, freediving instructor and yoga teacher. For her, breath, movement and food all weave together into one cohesive lifestyle. With years of experience living and working by the ocean, she understands what bodies need after hours of diving, swimming and sun. Beyond the kitchen, Micol brings a calm, grounded presence to the villa, holding space with warmth, humour and genuine care. A natural host and all-round vibe-bringer, we are incredibly happy to welcome her back for a second year running.

DANA

Co-Facilitator | Underwater Photographer | Storyteller | Conservationist

Dana Bjaner is an underwater photographer, storyteller, and ocean conservationist from Ecuador. She’s spent over a decade exploring the Galápagos, forming a deep connection with the islands and their wildlife: a bond that continues to shape her work and the way she shares the ocean with others.

We first discovered Dana two years ago through her breathtaking Galápagos imagery on Instagram - as most great modern partnerships begin. Drawn together by shared values and a vision for meaningful exploration, we quickly began plotting a joint expedition. By May 2025, just six months later, we hosted our first Galápagos journey together with seven incredible guests. It was pure magic.

Since then, Dana has co-hosted four of our Mo’orea Whale Expeditions, capturing unforgettable moments and bringing her warmth, expertise, and infectious passion for nature to every trip. She’s become not just a creative partner, but a dear friend and one of Immersia’s strongest supporters.

With Dana, you’re learning from someone who has lived, breathed, and photographed these islands for decades — discovering the Galápagos through local eyes and experiencing the magic in ways few ever do.

  • What our previous guests say...

    Bella and Ewan worked tirelessly and never on the clock to make sure everything was perfect for their guests. This couple sure knows how to make you feel like family. Too much fun, too many whale!

    Renata

    Moorea Whales Retreat 2023

  • What our previous guests say

    I had just about the best experience during Immersia’s Whale Diving trip in Mo’orea, French Polynesia.

    There was so much time dedicated to diving with whales that a sighting was guaranteed, and seeing whales was definitely the main thing on my list.

    We got so very lucky - our group managed to see a mother whale with a pup many times, a heat run with 6 adult whales chasing a female while rough toothed dolphins were tagging riding the whale’s noses like a ship mast. And this was just the main sights, I’m not even talking about seeing pilot whales, eagle rays, sharks, turtles and so so many more animals.

    The local crew that Immersia hired was exceptional - both excellent at what they do, and very easy to be around and respectful of the animals and nature.

    Immersia’s crew was absolutely lovely too, Bella is full of positive energy and really experienced in not just free diving, but also keeping up good group dynamics and running a tour. It was awesome to see Ewan at work as a cinematographer, and hear all of the literally awesome stories from his wildlife documentarian day job.

    And I can’t begin to describe how AWESOME were the pictures taken by professional photographers who joined us for every single dive!!!

    The location was perfect, food was lovely, the accommodation dreamy and I had such a great time that I started scouring their upcoming tours page before I even left the retreat. Highly recommended for energetic people who love nature and the company of fun and adventurous folks of all levels :-)

    Ignas

    French Polynesia Expedition 2024

  • What our previous guests say:

    This has been my 2nd retreat with Immersia Freediving and it did not fail to disappoint. I recently joined the swimming with Whales retreat in Moorea and not only was it well planned with added extras that complimented the experience but it was all done with so much love and thought. It was a safe and fun environment, with extremely knowledgable instructors and World class photographers to capture the beautiful interactions. Thank you Immersia for an incredible, life changing experience x

    Kelly

    French Polynesia 2024

  • What our previous guests say

    I recently came back from Immersia’s whale expedition in Moorea and wow, it was incredible. I’ve attended several retreats with Immersia and have always come home with a full heart.
    Vibes were high in Moorea with mind blowing wildlife interactions (humpback whales, pilot whales, dolphins, reef sharks and rays), stunning accomodation and very experienced local boat/ tour operators with an emphasis on ethical wildlife encounters.
    Immersia consistently attracts a very welcoming community with highly experienced instructors and a no-pressure environment. The Immersia community keeps me coming back for more.

    I’d do this trip again in a heartbeat! A truly priceless experience- highly recommend!!

    Julia

    French Polynesia Expedition 2024

  • What our previous guests say:

    Loved every minute of it. Had a wonderful time whale diving, chasing turtles, doing yoga and improving breath ability. Well organised and no bad eggs in the group. Would recommend to anyone to try at least once!

    Andrew

    Winter Whaleness Weekend 2023

  • What our previous guests say:

    This is now the 3rd immersia trip we have done and they just get better and better. We got blessed with an amazing group of people to share the trip with, our instructors Bella and Sylvia were just absolutely incredible, full of so much knowledge and so kind and patient. They were there for all of us no matter what time, we couldn’t be more grateful for everything they did for us and helped us achieve. The trip itself was so well planned and organised, we got to visit such incredible places and had dive to new depths and smash out some new PB’s. So grateful for another perfect retreat with immersia. Cant wait for the next!

    Zoe

    Freediving Immersion Philippines 2024