Swim with whales
Join Charyse Schark next year to explore the beautiful island of Moorea,
swim and connect with humpback whales, and enjoy a community of like-minded adventurers.
Tentative Dates 2025
Women’s Trip Dates September TBD
September co-ed
7 days/6 night stay/5 days on the water
Group: 9 persons
Skill: Moderate
Price: $4950
Pricing is for shared occupancy, single occupancy rooms are available for an additional cost. *limited availability
Payment plans and alternate payment options are available upon request.
*Please note these dates are subject to change by 1-2 weeks, full confirmation of dates will be by the end of January.
Location
Mo’orea is considered the “Heart of French Polynesia”. It is a high island in French Polynesia, one of the Windward Islands, part of the Society Islands, 17 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of Tahiti. The name comes from the Tahitian Mo'ore'a, meaning "yellow lizard": Mo'o = lizard ; Re'a (from re'are'a) = yellow.
Geography
The island was formed as a volcano, the result of a Society
hotspot in the mantle under the oceanic plate that formed the whole of the Society Archipelago. It is theorized that the current bays were formerly river basins that filled during the Holocene searise.
Mo'orea is about 10 miles in width from the west to the east. There are two small, nearly sym- metrical bays on the north shore. The one to the west is called Opunohu Bay, which is not very populated but many travelers have come into the bay. The one to the east is Cook's Bay, also called Pao Pao Bay since the largest commune of Mo'orea is at the bottom of the bay. The highest point is Mount Tohi'e'a, near the center of Mo'orea. It dominates the vista from the two bays and can be seen from Tahiti. There are also hiking trails in the mountains.
Source: Wikipedia
A little note from Her Trips Founder and Trip leader: Charyse
These trips hold a special place in my heart. They allow us to connect with the ocean and like-minded adventurers from around the world. Creating a space that helps us connect with ourselves in an environment that we can feel supported in whatever may be occuring in our lives at this time.
I felt there was also a need for an all-female space. So I created the first all-women’s trips to swim with whales. Sometimes you just want to be around other women and really connect with yourself while being in a supportive space. That is what I aim for in these all-women trips.
Whales have impressed me by showing grace, and connection with just their presence. It is what holds a very special place in my heart and I hope to connect other women with that same feeling.
My life changed significantly after my first time traveling to swim with whales. My hope is that these trips will allow each person the same opportunity.
Rachel Moorea will be co-leading our women’s only trip this adventure with me this year. Excited and looking forward to getting to work alongside such a talented human and inspiring woman.
Video captured during our 2022 season in Moorea by Phillip Au and PiersonX
Edited by PiersonX
Meet the Team
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Charyse Schark
Founder, Trip Leader, Photographer, Creative Director, and Ocean Advocate
At an early age, Charyse had a love and fascination for the ocean.
Her goal for these trips is to create a space to connect and push people to understand their own drive whether that is for the ocean, the planet, or something simpler. To connect with the ocean and other adventures of the world to propel each other forward into our deepest purpose and dreams.
Encouraging humans to see an image or video and open a fire in their soul, to go out, see, and experience those moments in life for themselves is a vital part of the trips.
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Dr Michael Poole
Marine Biologist and Whale Researcher
Dr. Michael Poole is the former Director of the Marine Mammal Research Program at CRIOBE (a French research station based on the island of Mo’orea), and currently holds the appointment of Research Associate with the National Oceanic Society.
Over the past 30 years, much of Dr. Poole’s research has been on spinner dolphins and humpback whales in French Polynesia but he has also studied rough-toothed dolphins, pilot whales, and other species. One of Dr. Poole’s largest contributions to marine mammal conservation came in May 2002 when French Polynesia’s Government accepted his long-standing proposition and drafted legislation to create a whale and dolphin sanctuary within all of the territory’s Exclusive Economic Zone, an area half the size of the USA.
His dolphin and whale tours have also been featured on major media channels including National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. His connection and dedication to marine conservation are evident in every conversation he has.
More on Dr. Poole: http://www.drmichaelpoole.com
About the Trip
The first day of the trip is our arrival day. Check-in will be in the afternoon. If you are arriving from Tahiti you will be guided to the ferry which takes around 20-30min to cross over to the island of Moorea. You will be picked up on the other side and brought to the property. Rooms will be sorted and shown around the resort. Dinner will be provided, after which we will have a short debrief of what to expect while on the boat and in the water, the wildlife we may encounter, boat safety, general ocean and animal safety, and more.
We will start the day early and you can utilize this time however you feel serves you best, whether you want to do some yoga on the deck, journal while the sun rises, or kick start your energy with a cup of coffee and your toes in the ocean manifesting what wildlife encounters we will have that day (my personal favorite). Boat days may start as early as 7:30 am.
We will gather our gear and ourselves and hop on the boat in search of some beautiful encounters with humpbacks. Dr. Michael Poole will be on the boat with us most of our boat days and is an excellent resource for learning about whales and the ocean.
Lunch and snacks will be available on the boat so don’t worry if you get hungry or wish to wait til later to eat.
Whales are wild animals and we must respect what they are doing and feeling in each moment. Somedays they will want to play and interact and other days they will be moving frequently. With any wild animals, encounters are not guaranteed. We will have an amazing day regardless.
When we do have the chance to interact with them we will get in the water as a group and move quietly in the water to meet them. At times this can be a long swim (100m+) so be prepared to work those legs in the water.
Our full dive days will range from 6-8 hours on the boat, after which we will be dropped off back and head home to rinse off, absorb the wonderful day we had and chat amongst ourselves about it.
There are a couple of hours after returning from the boat prior to dinner to rinse, rest or spend time in whatever way serves you best. Dinner will end our day, we typically eat together as a group. If you prefer to have an adult beverage please enjoy it, however, each person will be responsible for their own alcoholic beverages. Let us know if you have dietary restrictions or preferences and we will do our best to accommodate you.
This trip is about connecting, empowering, and building deep friendships with like-minded explorers and adventurers.
Where you’ll be staying
Villa on the Lagoon
We will be staying together in a large home in Moorea. Rooms are shared.
If you would like to request your own room there are a couple of options at an additional cost and first come first serve.
From our previous trips there was a larger desire to have more of a community and connected space so we have opted to stay together in a large home rather than the resort for the trips this year.
If you have a group and would like to organize a private trip to stay at the Manava please contact us to help arrange.
Housing is subject to change prior to confirmation of final dates. Photos of tentative housing.
Tentative Itinerary
Highlights
Swim with wild humpbacks, and a variety of dolphins including rough-toothed dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and other whale species. (These are wild animals, species always vary but our primary focus is humpback whales)
Stay in a Large Villa on the lagoon
Horseback Riding in the mountains. *addition cost
Snorkel the beautiful coral reef.
Enjoy the clear turquoise and blue waters of French Polynesia.
Watch the swell break at the edge of the reef.
Check out the beauty of Moorea at several overlooks located around the island.
Connect with other adventurous humans.
Photos taken during the excursion
DAY 1. Arrive in Tahiti, French Polynesia
We will arrange a pick-up for you from the ferry on Moorea on the arrival date. Please schedule your flight to arrive before 5 pm today, or plan to fly in a day early as the ferry to Moorea runs only until 6 pm. If you arrive outside trip dates you will be responsible for organizing your transport to your Airbnb or hotel.
Upon arrival, we will take you to the ferry, which crosses 17 km (10 miles) to the island of Moorea (30 minutes)
In the evening, we will have dinner followed by a safety briefing. We suggest an early night of sleep to prepare for whale swimming the next day.
WHALE SWIM DAYS 5 days on the water
Breakfast will be served at the resort prior to departing on the boat each morning.
4 full days of swimming with whales and one-half day to allow for us to go horseback riding, hiking, exploring the island or relax. The days will be around 6-8 hours in length. We have an experienced captain and crew to assist in finding the whales, but the more eyes looking the better.
Lunch and snacks will be provided on the boat.
Non-photographers and photographers are welcome, there will be an optional photo workshop provided.
After getting off the water you will have time to rinse your gear, shower, and rest before dinner time.
We will eat dinner together at the resort most nights. There may be times during the trip when we will go out for dinner together which is also included in the price.
Departure Day
We will bring you to the ferry depending on your flight time where you will cross back to Tahiti. The ferry will take about 30- 45 minutes to cross.
We will arrange ferry drop-offs throughout the day, 2 hours at the airport before your scheduled departure.
If you want to explore Tahiti prior to your flight there are storage lockers near the airport for your luggage.
For those interested in spending the night or more time in Mo’orea or Tahiti, before or after the trip, we can help arrange a hotel or place for you (additional fee not included in price).
Getting there
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS TO GET TO TAHITI: (recommended)
1. Use Kayak- Check flights to Tahiti, do +/- 3 days so that it will give you all available options for
the best price.
2. Time/Date: Make sure the times/dates correspond. There may be a large time change.
Important:
Our whale swimming trip and house are in Moorea, a short ferry ride away (30 minutes), ferry typically starts at 6 am and finishes at 5:15 pm. Transport will be arranged to and from PPT airport including the ferry. Make sure to arrive in Tahiti early enough to allow for the ferry transit. If your flight arrives after 3 pm you may have to arrange to stay the night in Tahiti and take a ferry the following day. When departing, if you taking an early morning flight out from PPT (Tahiti) you will need to stay the night before on Tahiti island. Stays outside the trip dates will not be covered in the total cost of the trip. Please keep this in mind when booking flights.
*Most important takeaway: Arrive anytime before 3 pm in Tahiti, don’t depart too early on your departure day.
More Questions?
Ready to Book?