SECRET HUMPBACK WHALE SWIMMING EXPEDITION
PACIFIC OCEAN | SECRET LOCATION
THIS IS A PLACE SO SPECIAL AND BEAUTIFUL WE CAN’T EVEN REVEAL THE LOCATION
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, there's a place so untouched we're not even going to tell you where it is. What we will tell you: humpback whales, dolphins, underwater caves, coral that doesn't look real, and a small group of people who are about to have the best week of their lives. You'll find out the rest when you're in.
★★★★★
Not sure if this Expedition is for you? Take our Expedition Match-Making Quiz here!
8
Days
5
Guests max
Level 3
Ocean Native
Freediving Cert: Recommended What does this mean?Level 3 · Ocean Native
- Repeated long surface swims (200m+)
- Back-to-back big days — real fitness needed
- Strong current, swell, cold or low viz
Jul–Aug
2027 Dates
See all dates2027 Dates
- Wk 1: 26 Jul – 2 Aug
- Wk 2: 2 – 9 Aug
- Wk 3: 9 – 16 Aug
- Wk 4: 16 – 23 Aug
- Wk 5: 23 – 30 Aug
- Wk 6: 30 Aug – 6 Sep
From $4,150
USD per person
25°C
Water temp
The Rarest Whale Encounters
On your first night, you'll think you've travelled back a few thousand years … to a time before mass tourism.
Yes - that's humpback out there, pec-slapping the surface 100 metres from your villa.
No boats hassling her. No crowds in the water. Just her, and you on the deck, holding a cup of tea you've completely forgotten about.
There's a reason they come in this close — the seafloor here drops to 300 metres within a few hundred metres of shore. Some people have even reported hearing whale song from land.
“Do places like this still exist?” you’ll think to yourself.
When you jump in... 50m+ of visibility, water so clear it stops looking like ocean, and a humpback gliding past close enough that you forget to breathe up.
We've never found the words for that bit. Although ‘eye contact to shatter your soul’ comes pretty close.
Why keep the location a secret?
This incredible place is so serene and it’s completely untouched by unruly and unregulated tourism.
Places like this barely exist anymore. We found it, we fell in love with it, and we're not going to be the ones who blow it up.
So here's the deal. We work with local operators, eat at local restaurants, cap the group at five, and sponsor the long-term conservation of several kilometres of this country's marine habitat.
In return: you find out where it is after you apply and get an offer email. If you come, you keep it off your socials and keep the sharing to a minimum.
That's the trade. We reckon it's a fair one.
What we CAN tell you:
Okay okay, there are some details we need to share:
INCLUDED
7 nights' accommodation in a local villa
5 days on the ocean with local operators
All ground transport on-island
Breakfasts and lunches
Full photography package from one of Australia’s leading natural history cinematographers Ewan Donnachie)
Workshops on camera skills, wildlife interactions & more
Full-time support from experienced, insured Immersia facilitators
A contribution to local marine conservation
Immersia Expedition Kit (with gifts from our sponsors!)
NOT INCLUDED
Flights (we'll give you the airport code with your offer, so you can check feasibility before committing)
Dinners & snacks — we eat out at a different locally owned place each night, roughly $20-$25 a night
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Dive gear — bring your own. Weights available to rent!
Tips for the boat crew
Any accommodation, food, transport, dives, etc. you decide to take outside of the expedition
Want to Join? Here’s how:
STEP 1: LEARN MORE
Check out all the trip details, FAQs, Terms and Conditions on our web page.
STEP 2: PRE-REGISTER
Pre-register for the ‘Secret Location Expedition’, so you’re on our mailing list - you’ll be the first to know when we launch applications for 2027!
STEP 3: APPLY!
When we launch, you’ll be invited to apply. We will review your application and send you an offer email including the location (so you can check it out!) if you’re a good fit!
YOUR EXPEDITION HEAD HOST
EWAN DONNACHIE
Facilitator at Immersia Freediving | Renowned Wildlife Cinamatographer | Immersia Expedition Olympics MC
Ewan grew up on the coast of New South Wales, spending his early years chasing waves, exploring nature, and developing a deep respect for the ocean. His career began as a professional bodyboarder, riding some of the world’s heaviest waves at spots like Shipstern Bluff and Teahupo’o, which taught him how to move through extreme environments with focus and care.
Today, he works as a wildlife cinematographer, shooting for BBC, Netflix, Nat Geo and Disney. He’s been been lucky to witness rare animal behaviours in remote locations, which has deepened his appreciation for the fragility of wild places.
Ewan has been part of Immersia since the beginning, as head photographer, co-host, and freediving instructor. He loves capturing the magic of our trips and helping guests interact with wildlife in a positive, respectful way.
A typical day on expedition…
05:45 - RISE N’ SHINE!
Coffee on the deck, eyes on the water. If a whale breaches while the kettle's boiling, today’s going to be a good day!
08:00 AM - OCEAN!
On the boat. We spend 5 of our days on the ocean — whales, dolphins, and exploring the underwater landscape.
13:00PM - LUNCH!
Back to the villa for lunch. Debrief, laugh at each other's whale faces, dry out.
15:00 PM: EXPLORE!
Afternoon mission: jungle trails / hidden lagoons / caves / coastal lookouts… group choice!
17:00 PM - DINNER + SLEEP!
Dinner at a different locally owned joint each night. Group games, workshops and lots of silliness to ensue.
Where your money goes
The non-secrety thing we’re proudest of!
A slice of what you pay goes straight into the long-term conservation of several kilometres of this country's marine habitat.
We purchase/sponsor 1 km² per expedition week — you’ll get to see your group’s certificate on your first briefing day!
It’s not an optional add-on donation, it's built into the trip! <3
Why Applications?
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.
FAQs
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We’re trying to advocate for travel that treads lightly. The places that leave the biggest impact in your memories are often the ones that stay off the radar.
We’ve seen firsthand what happens when a destination goes viral. Crowds arrive, wildlife changes its patterns, and the sense of peace that made the place special disappears. We don’t want to be responsible for opening those floodgates.
For this expedition, we’re working with local operators, local restaurants, and limiting group size to just 5 to keep our impact positive but small. We’re also sponsoring the long term conservation of several kms of the country’s marine environment.
The full details are shared privately with guests once booked. We’re not trying to be mysterious! We’re to protect something rare.
It’s better this way, for the place, the people who live there, and for you.
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Joy. Play. Discovery. Feeling alive in the ocean.
Unforgettable marine encounters in handpicked destinations.
No budget meetups. No influencer freebies. Just meaningful, well-run adventures.
Small groups. Big heart. Serious fun.
We partner with locals, support conservation, and minimise our impact.
Expect:
• 5-9 (max) guests per trip
• Full-time support from experienced, insured facilitators
• Safe, trusted local operators
• Clear comms and easy booking
• Games, dancing, human pyramids, and the Immersia OlympicsWe’re here to do things properly, professionally, and make it incredible.
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Cancellation Policy
We run small, personalised trips, so cancellations have a big impact. Please read this carefully before booking. No exceptions can be made.
Travel insurance is mandatory. We strongly recommend taking out a policy as soon as you book to protect your fees in case of late changes.
Payments
• 50% payment due 6 months before the trip
• Full payment due 3 months before the trip
• Late payment may result in cancellation and loss of depositRefunds & Cancellations
• Deposit: Non-refundable
• Cancel or reschedule more than 6 months out: Refund or credit, less deposit
• Cancel within 3-6 months: 50% refund or credit
• Cancel within 3 months: No refund or creditPlease read our full Terms and Conditions HERE.
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Is This the Right Adventure for You?
We’re here for smooth bookings, clear comms, and full support on retreat.
We’re value-led, supportive, friendly, active and we genuinely want our groups to become best mates with each other.
No forced animal encounters. No party culture.
We dive early, sleep early, and have a lot of fun in between.
Think games, dancing, silliness, and human pyramids.
We thrive on great group vibes. Respectful, drama-free energy only.
Need extra support? Reach out first. Let’s chat.
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Your Vibe:
You're an ocean and nature lover. You’re open to rolling with the unpredictable.
You're interactive, patient, and respectful in a group setting.
You value the safety and wellbeing of the group AND the animals.
Your Water Experience and Fitness:-
This expedition has moderate-high physical demand - best suited to those of strong physical and mental fitness.
You're a strong, fit swimmer in deep, choppy water. You can swim 300+m in mixed ocean conditions with speed.
You’re able to lift and lower your body weight over the side of a small boat.
Medically fit - we require everyone to complete a medical statement and we may require clearance from a doctor.
Minimum 18 years of age
Freediving certification recommended but not required
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It’s a little more effort from you, and it’s a little more effort for us, so why bother?
Simply put: it helps us curate wonderful groups of epic people with similar values, expectations and ocean skills.
We know it might be a turn off for some, and that’s okay. We believe that our ideal guests appreciate the extra effort to make sure the group dynamic is on point.
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Nature is nature, baby! We will NEVER guarantee any interactions because it’s up to the ocean and the whales, not to us!
What we can say is this:
We’ve chosen the destination and the dates to give you the bestpossiblechance of seeing an interacting with marine animals including humpback whales and dolphins.
It’s extremely rare to have a day where we see no marine animals at all, but anything is possible in nature!
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We start by observing from at least 200 metres away on the boat. If the whale is calm, we enter the water slowly and swim in gently.
In the water, we keep a safe distance from the whale and observe from the surface. We do not freedive with whales or dive down near them. We never cut across their path or attempt to influence their behaviour.
Only 6 people are in the water at a time to keep the experience quiet, respectful, and safe.
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This is a very remote place with very limited options for food.
Major dietary requirements can be accommodated as long as you’re prepared that you might not have the choice or nutrient load you’re used to (trust me, a vegan wrote this).
This trip is NOT suitable for health-threatening allergies due to the limited resources on-island.
We recommend that guests with dietary needs plan to bring additional substitutes (such as gluten-free bread) or supplements (such as plant protein or vitamins).
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If we love your application and offer you a spot we will give you the name and code of the airport so you can check flight prices before committing!
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As with any untouched land, this place is raw, untamed, and absolutely alive. Where destinations like Mo’orea or the Maldives offer a paradise escape, our newest location is wild.
Think active days: windswept hair, muddy feet, exploring caves, trekking through jungle, and wild coastlines.
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We get it. In today’s world, word travels fast. Between conversations, social media, and curious Google searches, it’s only natural that whispers of this magical location will eventually surface.
But here’s the thing: we’re not trying to go viral.
By keeping this destination off our website, off our socials, and only sharing it with our close-knit community (like you, reading this website), we’re intentionally preserving the quiet magic of this place.
We hope you can help us achieve this too. -
You can rent weights.
We request guests to bring all of their own dive gear including a weight belt to ensure it’s high quality and fits you well.
Want to Join? Here’s how:
STEP 1: LEARN MORE
Check out all the trip details, FAQs, Terms and Conditions on our web page.
STEP 2: PRE_REGISTER
Pre-register for the ‘Secret Location Expedition’, so you’re on our mailing list - you’ll be the first to know when we launch applications for 2027!
STEP 3: APPLY!
When we launch, you’ll be invited to apply. We will review your application and send you an offer email including the location (so you can check it out!) if you’re a good fit!