Trip Details
Itinerary, Accommodation, Boat, Food, Activities and Pricing
Spend a week in Rurutu, a remote South Pacific island, swimming with humpback whales guided by experts. Beyond the ocean, stay with the Tavita family, enjoy incredible home-cooked meals, and experience land activities that blend adventure, culture, and connection.
An Immersive Week
Our program in Rurutu combines intimate whale encounters with meaningful cultural exchanges, offering a unique connection to the marine world and the local communities dedicated to its preservation.
During your week-long stay, you’ll spend 30–35 hours on the water, swimming alongside humpback whales in their natural habitat. Boat sessions are flexible to adapt to the Austral Islands’ changing weather—some days may be full eight-hour adventures, while others require waiting for calmer seas. The boat is reserved exclusively for our group, ensuring plenty of time on the water.
Rurutu’s remote location—over 100 kilometers from the nearest island—requires patience and adaptability. Guided by an expert captain and whale guide, you’ll approach these majestic creatures respectfully, aligning each encounter with the whales’ natural behaviors.
Beyond the water, immerse yourself in Rurutu’s vibrant culture. Discover Indigenous legends, hike along stunning cliffs, and engage in traditional practices like taro farming and po’i making. In the evenings, join Teiti in the kitchen to prepare and enjoy local delicacies.
Your home for the week is the Tavita family’s six-bedroom homestay. Fresh breakfasts and dinners feature local ingredients, while lunches in town offer a taste of the community. This welcoming setting lets you experience the daily rhythm of life on this enchanting island.
Daily Schedule
Day 1: Sunday (arrival day)
All participants are met at Rurutu’s tiny airport on arrival. We head over to our house, just five minutes along the road from the runway. Once settled, we do group introductions followed by a home cooked Polynesian dinner at the house. This evening, everyone gets together for a trip briefing and gear check before bed.
Days 2~7: Monday~Saturday
The heart of the experience is the camaraderie among guests, crew, and trip leaders. Beyond the day's adventures, fostering connections and sharing stories enriches your trip.
As wind, weather, and swells affect the trip, the daily schedule changes throughout the week and your trip leader announces the next day’s plan the day before. We also include a full island tour of Rurutu’s culture, history, and legends and an epic hike to the Dragon’s Head during low tide.
A sample schedule for a day during the week looks like this:
07:30 Wake up.
08:30 Breakfast (fresh fruit, eggs, baguettes, coffee, locally made jams).
09:30 Drive to the dive shop to suit up and get ready.
09:45 Set out on our boat from the wharf in search of humpback whales.
14:30 Return to shore, change out of wet gear, wash it, and hang it up.
14:45 Late lunch in town at Snack Piaareare.
16:00 Cultural activity or return to the house to shower, chill, or have a photography workshop.
19:00 Family-style home cooked dinner at the house.
21:00 Bedtime.
Day 8: Sunday (departure day)
This morning we prepare a late breakfast full of tasty French pastries, scrambled eggs, baguettes, and local fruit. Transportation back to Rurutu airport is provided for everyone to match your flight departure time.
Accommodation Info
We stay at the Tavita family’s 6-bedroom guesthouse (A House) and adjacent large 4-bedroom house (B House) in Una’a, just a five-minute walk from the beach and near Rurutu Airport.
Rooms are shared by gender, with single supplements extremely limited (1–2 per week) and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. These can be booked when registering for your week. During our premium weeks, more single supplements are available, as there are two fewer spots available for premium weeks (6 guests as opposed to 8 guests).
Laundry is available (no additional cost) and we have a clothes drying area behind both houses. High-speed internet is available, and guests can enjoy fresh fruit and coconuts from the property.
A HOUSE
Our main expedition house is a 6-bedroom house with a large living room, outdoor dining space, and garden. Two of the guest rooms have large beds suitable for couples or singles, and the rest are twin shared. Each room has its own bathroom and hot water shower. This house is used for group meals (breakfasts and dinners) for both A and B groups.
B HOUSE
Just next door, this large three-story, 4-bedroom house is used for our smaller groups and private groups. The house has 2 very large bedrooms and 1 bathroom/shower per floor, as well as a common floor, living room, and kitchen for hanging out. All showers are all hot water enabled.
Boat and In-Water Details
Boat of our boats are reserved exclusively for us from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but we typically use it more from around 9:30-3:30 daily, depending on weather and how many other boats are out on the water.
Apo Apo 1
This boat is a converted fishing boat with fast inboard engine and adjustable sunroof for our smaller and private groups. The boat’s capacity is 8 including the captain and guide and fits perfectly with Polynesia’s regulations allowing 6 guests and 1 guide into the water at a time. This boat is one of the fastest on the water in Rurutu.
Apo Apo 2
This boat is a larger seven-meter steel dive boat with a fixed sunroof and single outboard engine converted for snorkelling. The boat’s capacity is 11 including the captain and guide. We normally use this boat for our larger groups (8 guests and 1 guide) as well as some premium groups, as it’s spacier than the speedier Apo Apo 1.
Outings are planned based on weather, wind, and energy levels, with about 30–35 hours on the water per week. We often head out during quieter periods to avoid other boats, as Rurutu now has 5–7 operators.
All in-water activities are led by our certified captains and guide, who ensure safety and respectful interactions with the whales. We prioritize the animals’ well-being, always honouring their space and natural behaviour.
From Farm/Sea to Table
Meals highlight Rurutu’s natural abundance and culinary traditions, blending Polynesian flavors with French influences. Teiti, trained in culinary arts, creates fresh and satisfying dishes tied to island life.
Fruits and root vegetables come from the family property, while fish like tuna and wahoo are hand-lined locally. Chickens and pigs are sourced from the island market or raised nearby.
We accommodate vegetarians and most dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Breakfast: Fresh baguettes, jams, butter, eggs, and fruits.
Lunch: Served at the family’s town restaurant for a taste of local culture.
Dinner: Home-cooked meals with traditional and creative dishes.
Land Activities
Your journey in Rurutu includes two immersive land activities that showcase the island’s landscapes and culture:
Tête de Monstre Hike: An adventurous trek to the “Monster Head” rock formation, planned during low tide, with stunning cliffs, pristine beaches, and unforgettable views.
Legends and Culture Tour: A guided exploration of sacred caves, taro fields, artisan workshops, and historic landmarks, sharing the stories and traditions of Rurutu.
In the evenings, you can join Teiti in the kitchen to help prepare traditional meals, adding a hands-on element to your cultural immersion. These experiences offer a deeper connection to Rurutu’s natural beauty and heritage, complementing your time on the water.
Pricing Details
Standard Trips (max 8 guests, shared rooms)
Early bird pricing:
$4,300 USD (before Feb 1st, 2025)
Normal pricing:
$4,500 USD (on/after Feb 1st, 2025)
Premium Trips (max 6 guests, single rooms)
Early bird pricing:
$5,200 USD (before Feb 1st, 2025)
Normal pricing:
$5,400 USD (on/after Feb 1st, 2025)
Includes
7 nights accommodation (twin shared, single supplements are very limited).
6 boat days (30-35 hrs total on-water time).
3 meals daily.
2 land excursions (hike and island tour).
Airport transfers in Rurutu.
Pro whale guide, program leader and captain.
Optional photography/videography lessons.
Photos our trip leader gets of guests during the trip (no guarantees, but we try our best).
Excludes
Gear (must bring your own, emergency rentals are available but quality and sizes are very limited). You need a mask, snorkel, fins, 2-3mm wetsuit.
Flights
Alcohol
Insurance
Personal spending and gratuities (optional)