Moorea Whale Watch ... Mel's Big Adventure: This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s more like home snapshots than it is “artistic” photography … which is what I usually attempt...

MosheR Loc: New York City

This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s more like home snapshots than it is “artistic” photography … which is what I usually attempt to go for. In fact, as will be obvious, others took several of the photos. But these pics do document what I consider to be one of the adventure highlights of my life … so far. Of all the places I’ve been, of all the things I’ve done, the one that stands out beyond most of the rest was the too short half hour I spent swimming alongside a humpback whale and her calf. Just realizing the amount of power she had compared to me, especially since I was merely an uninvited guest in her native element, was an awe inspiring realization. After all, humpbacks are about as large as two city buses parked end to end and, compared to them, I am as an insect.

A few years ago my wife and I enjoyed a couple of months aboard a freighter traveling around many of the Polynesian islands. including many that are part of the Marqueses chain. The ship would pull into a port, load and unload its cargo, then shove off. Sometimes we stayed a few hours on the smallish islands, often a few days. (One of those islands, by the way, was the Raroia atoll, where the Kon Tiki was said to have landed.)

Our last port was Tahiti, where we disembarked the ship for good. We stayed on the island for some time and, while there, learned about its much less famous neighbor, Moorea … pronounced as “moe or EE ya” … which as we immediately saw had much more than an abundance of natural beauty and diverse marine life. While the island itself is an oasis of lush landscapes and vibrant culture, one of its most awe-inspiring attractions is its whale watching.

Located just about ten miles away from Tahiti, Moorea has gained recognition as a prime destination for encountering these magnificent creatures. The waters around Moorea provide a unique and fascinating opportunity to witness the gentle giants of the ocean, humpback whales, in their natural habitat. Every year, between the months of July and October, these majestic creatures make their migration journey from the cold Antarctic to the warm waters of French Polynesia to breed and give birth.

The enchanting experience of whale watching in Moorea goes beyond the magnificent humpback whales. The area is also home to other fascinating marine species, such as harmless nurse sharks and graceful stingrays. As visitors embark on their whale watching expeditions, they may be fortunate enough to spot these incredible creatures gliding gracefully through the crystal-clear waters, presenting a truly surreal sight.

Nurse sharks, contrary to their fierce appearance, are relatively harmless and docile creatures, not posing a threat to humans. Observing them in their natural habitat is a rare opportunity to witness their calm and serene behavior up close, adding to the overall magic of the marine adventure. In some instances, while snorkeling among them, as I moved a bit closer they turned and swam away.

Stingrays, on the other hand, are mesmerizing to watch as they effortlessly glide through the water with their elegant wings. While they have a fearsome reputation due to their venomous barbs, the species typically encountered around Moorea are the friendly and gentle Southern type of Stingray. Often seen in large groups, they present a captivating display of unity and beauty, making the underwater world of Moorea truly captivating. One of them actually put its fin on my shoulder and used me as a push off in order propel itself into a swim. I thought it was another person at first, so imagine my surprise when I realized what it was. But anyone who reads this should be proud of me, as I managed to keep my cool and actually snap a photo of this gentle intruder.

I didn’t want to swim with the whales at first … there seemed to be more than a half dozen of them .. because I really dislike wearing flippers, which is a requirement of the island. Eventually, while everyone else on our small craft … there were twelve of us altogether, not counting the Captain and his mate, all of whom were much younger than our daughter … were already carousing with the whale, my wife finally talked me into putting those damn things on and swimming out to it by myself.

My wife later told me this part; The mate, a nice, pleasant young lady, was worried when she saw this old man head out alone to swim the several hundred yards in order to catch up with the rest of the small group. Before I even left she asked me to wear a swim cap to protect my bald head, and asked if I was certain that I could reach the group by myself. The boat was not allowed to get closer. That cap was almost too much for me because I dislike them even more than I dislike flippers. But okay. I told my wife I would go, so I went, even though I felt that I would actually get better photo of the whale from the boat.

Off I swam, and in a few moments I caught up with the others and the whale and her calf. The young lady told my wife that she was surprised that I could swim so well, to which my wife responded that she would not have pleaded with me to go if she didn’t trust that I was a strong swimmer. When I was a young man I was a beach lifeguard, the most difficult kind there is. A few years before that I was a champion swimmer on my high school team, a team that had never lost a single match up till that time. Except for swimming I was never a particularly good athlete, but I still can swim quite well, and I did make it to the whale. (I previously posted some photos and narrative of my three mile swim down the Amazon.)
Whale watching tours in Moorea adhere to strict guidelines and regulations to ensure minimal disturbance to them, allowing them to go about their natural behaviors undisturbed. That’s why the boat couldn’t bring me any closer. I have to admit that it was an experience I will never forget, and I’ll be forever grateful that my little wifey talked me into going. I didn’t realize how thrilled I would be with that whale encounter.

These pics are being shown in reverse order from the way they were taken. I swam with the whales first, in the deep part of the Pacific. Then I met the sharks and stingrays right near the shores, in the ocean’s shallows … where I could actually stand. I reversed the order simply so I could end with what I felt was the most dramatic shot.

This is Moorea as seen from the ferry when we approached the shore on our trip from Tahiti.

The waters were comfortably warm, and crystal clear.

This was our hotel. One of these bungalows was ours, as we had one on the water.
This was our hotel. One of these bungalows was ou...

These dolphins were the first aquatic mammals we encountered as we went out for our whale watch. If you ever care to do this, do so in the smallest boat you can hire. Unfortunately, these guys never jumped out of the water.

Here I am at the end of oour little excursion, sans swim cap. You can see the sharks in the water just behind me. They were not dangerous ... so I was told.

I guess the water here was only about five feet deep. As I moved up to these guys to better catch them with my fixed lens camera, they calmly turned and swam away.
I guess the water here was only about five feet d...

This guy swam by right close by in front of me. He/she was friendlier than the sharks.

I described this guy in my narrative. I thought he was another person trying to get my attention. It turned out he used me as a platform from which to push off. But I got this photo as a result.

I'm only posting this one pic of us with the whale, as they all look pretty much the same. I'm slightly to the left of the middle, with the aqua colored swim trunks.

She patiently waited till we all swam safely away, then gave us this farewell present. I almost think she knew we wanted to see something like this, but she didn't want to hurt us while she did it.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent set, Mel!

MosheR Loc: New York City

UTMike wrote:

Excellent set, Mel!

Thanks for that Mike.

lnl Loc: SWFL

What an experience!!

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

MosheR wrote:

This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s more like home snapshots than it is “artistic” photography … which is what I usually attempt to go for. In fact, as will be obvious, others took several of the photos. But these pics do document what I consider to be one of the adventure highlights of my life … so far. Of all the places I’ve been, of all the things I’ve done, the one that stands out beyond most of the rest was the too short half hour I spent swimming alongside a humpback whale and her calf. Just realizing the amount of power she had compared to me, especially since I was merely an uninvited guest in her native element, was an awe inspiring realization. After all, humpbacks are about as large as two city buses parked end to end and, compared to them, I am as an insect.

A few years ago my wife and I enjoyed a couple of months aboard a freighter traveling around many of the Polynesian islands. including many that are part of the Marqueses chain. The ship would pull into a port, load and unload its cargo, then shove off. Sometimes we stayed a few hours on the smallish islands, often a few days. (One of those islands, by the way, was the Raroia atoll, where the Kon Tiki was said to have landed.)

Our last port was Tahiti, where we disembarked the ship for good. We stayed on the island for some time and, while there, learned about its much less famous neighbor, Moorea … pronounced as “moe or EE ya” … which as we immediately saw had much more than an abundance of natural beauty and diverse marine life. While the island itself is an oasis of lush landscapes and vibrant culture, one of its most awe-inspiring attractions is its whale watching.

Located just about ten miles away from Tahiti, Moorea has gained recognition as a prime destination for encountering these magnificent creatures. The waters around Moorea provide a unique and fascinating opportunity to witness the gentle giants of the ocean, humpback whales, in their natural habitat. Every year, between the months of July and October, these majestic creatures make their migration journey from the cold Antarctic to the warm waters of French Polynesia to breed and give birth.

The enchanting experience of whale watching in Moorea goes beyond the magnificent humpback whales. The area is also home to other fascinating marine species, such as harmless nurse sharks and graceful stingrays. As visitors embark on their whale watching expeditions, they may be fortunate enough to spot these incredible creatures gliding gracefully through the crystal-clear waters, presenting a truly surreal sight.

Nurse sharks, contrary to their fierce appearance, are relatively harmless and docile creatures, not posing a threat to humans. Observing them in their natural habitat is a rare opportunity to witness their calm and serene behavior up close, adding to the overall magic of the marine adventure. In some instances, while snorkeling among them, as I moved a bit closer they turned and swam away.

Stingrays, on the other hand, are mesmerizing to watch as they effortlessly glide through the water with their elegant wings. While they have a fearsome reputation due to their venomous barbs, the species typically encountered around Moorea are the friendly and gentle Southern type of Stingray. Often seen in large groups, they present a captivating display of unity and beauty, making the underwater world of Moorea truly captivating. One of them actually put its fin on my shoulder and used me as a push off in order propel itself into a swim. I thought it was another person at first, so imagine my surprise when I realized what it was. But anyone who reads this should be proud of me, as I managed to keep my cool and actually snap a photo of this gentle intruder.

I didn’t want to swim with the whales at first … there seemed to be more than a half dozen of them .. because I really dislike wearing flippers, which is a requirement of the island. Eventually, while everyone else on our small craft … there were twelve of us altogether, not counting the Captain and his mate, all of whom were much younger than our daughter … were already carousing with the whale, my wife finally talked me into putting those damn things on and swimming out to it by myself.

My wife later told me this part; The mate, a nice, pleasant young lady, was worried when she saw this old man head out alone to swim the several hundred yards in order to catch up with the rest of the small group. Before I even left she asked me to wear a swim cap to protect my bald head, and asked if I was certain that I could reach the group by myself. The boat was not allowed to get closer. That cap was almost too much for me because I dislike them even more than I dislike flippers. But okay. I told my wife I would go, so I went, even though I felt that I would actually get better photo of the whale from the boat.

Off I swam, and in a few moments I caught up with the others and the whale and her calf. The young lady told my wife that she was surprised that I could swim so well, to which my wife responded that she would not have pleaded with me to go if she didn’t trust that I was a strong swimmer. When I was a young man I was a beach lifeguard, the most difficult kind there is. A few years before that I was a champion swimmer on my high school team, a team that had never lost a single match up till that time. Except for swimming I was never a particularly good athlete, but I still can swim quite well, and I did make it to the whale. (I previously posted some photos and narrative of my three mile swim down the Amazon.)
Whale watching tours in Moorea adhere to strict guidelines and regulations to ensure minimal disturbance to them, allowing them to go about their natural behaviors undisturbed. That’s why the boat couldn’t bring me any closer. I have to admit that it was an experience I will never forget, and I’ll be forever grateful that my little wifey talked me into going. I didn’t realize how thrilled I would be with that whale encounter.

These pics are being shown in reverse order from the way they were taken. I swam with the whales first, in the deep part of the Pacific. Then I met the sharks and stingrays right near the shores, in the ocean’s shallows … where I could actually stand. I reversed the order simply so I could end with what I felt was the most dramatic shot.

This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s mo... (show quote)

Excellent info and shots Mel.

MosheR Loc: New York City

bcheary wrote:

Excellent info and shots Mel.

Thanks for that, Brian.

MosheR Loc: New York City

lnl wrote:

What an experience!!

Not much in terms of pics, but still one of the great moments of my life. Even better than those lions.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

The first three are stunners, Mel. Excellent compositions with very pretty colors.

I have to wonder about the aqua colored swim trunks though. Maybe my eyes are just tired but all I saw were heads. So it would not be a stretch to say that your water colored trunks weren't and that you may have been having an Emperor's New Clothes moment?

Inquiring minds and all that.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Marvelous!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Awesome, Mel. An adventure to remember.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

MosheR wrote:

This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s more like home snapshots than it is “artistic” photography … which is what I usually attempt to go for. In fact, as will be obvious, others took several of the photos. But these pics do document what I consider to be one of the adventure highlights of my life … so far. Of all the places I’ve been, of all the things I’ve done, the one that stands out beyond most of the rest was the too short half hour I spent swimming alongside a humpback whale and her calf. Just realizing the amount of power she had compared to me, especially since I was merely an uninvited guest in her native element, was an awe inspiring realization. After all, humpbacks are about as large as two city buses parked end to end and, compared to them, I am as an insect.

A few years ago my wife and I enjoyed a couple of months aboard a freighter traveling around many of the Polynesian islands. including many that are part of the Marqueses chain. The ship would pull into a port, load and unload its cargo, then shove off. Sometimes we stayed a few hours on the smallish islands, often a few days. (One of those islands, by the way, was the Raroia atoll, where the Kon Tiki was said to have landed.)

Our last port was Tahiti, where we disembarked the ship for good. We stayed on the island for some time and, while there, learned about its much less famous neighbor, Moorea … pronounced as “moe or EE ya” … which as we immediately saw had much more than an abundance of natural beauty and diverse marine life. While the island itself is an oasis of lush landscapes and vibrant culture, one of its most awe-inspiring attractions is its whale watching.

Located just about ten miles away from Tahiti, Moorea has gained recognition as a prime destination for encountering these magnificent creatures. The waters around Moorea provide a unique and fascinating opportunity to witness the gentle giants of the ocean, humpback whales, in their natural habitat. Every year, between the months of July and October, these majestic creatures make their migration journey from the cold Antarctic to the warm waters of French Polynesia to breed and give birth.

The enchanting experience of whale watching in Moorea goes beyond the magnificent humpback whales. The area is also home to other fascinating marine species, such as harmless nurse sharks and graceful stingrays. As visitors embark on their whale watching expeditions, they may be fortunate enough to spot these incredible creatures gliding gracefully through the crystal-clear waters, presenting a truly surreal sight.

Nurse sharks, contrary to their fierce appearance, are relatively harmless and docile creatures, not posing a threat to humans. Observing them in their natural habitat is a rare opportunity to witness their calm and serene behavior up close, adding to the overall magic of the marine adventure. In some instances, while snorkeling among them, as I moved a bit closer they turned and swam away.

Stingrays, on the other hand, are mesmerizing to watch as they effortlessly glide through the water with their elegant wings. While they have a fearsome reputation due to their venomous barbs, the species typically encountered around Moorea are the friendly and gentle Southern type of Stingray. Often seen in large groups, they present a captivating display of unity and beauty, making the underwater world of Moorea truly captivating. One of them actually put its fin on my shoulder and used me as a push off in order propel itself into a swim. I thought it was another person at first, so imagine my surprise when I realized what it was. But anyone who reads this should be proud of me, as I managed to keep my cool and actually snap a photo of this gentle intruder.

I didn’t want to swim with the whales at first … there seemed to be more than a half dozen of them .. because I really dislike wearing flippers, which is a requirement of the island. Eventually, while everyone else on our small craft … there were twelve of us altogether, not counting the Captain and his mate, all of whom were much younger than our daughter … were already carousing with the whale, my wife finally talked me into putting those damn things on and swimming out to it by myself.

My wife later told me this part; The mate, a nice, pleasant young lady, was worried when she saw this old man head out alone to swim the several hundred yards in order to catch up with the rest of the small group. Before I even left she asked me to wear a swim cap to protect my bald head, and asked if I was certain that I could reach the group by myself. The boat was not allowed to get closer. That cap was almost too much for me because I dislike them even more than I dislike flippers. But okay. I told my wife I would go, so I went, even though I felt that I would actually get better photo of the whale from the boat.

Off I swam, and in a few moments I caught up with the others and the whale and her calf. The young lady told my wife that she was surprised that I could swim so well, to which my wife responded that she would not have pleaded with me to go if she didn’t trust that I was a strong swimmer. When I was a young man I was a beach lifeguard, the most difficult kind there is. A few years before that I was a champion swimmer on my high school team, a team that had never lost a single match up till that time. Except for swimming I was never a particularly good athlete, but I still can swim quite well, and I did make it to the whale. (I previously posted some photos and narrative of my three mile swim down the Amazon.)
Whale watching tours in Moorea adhere to strict guidelines and regulations to ensure minimal disturbance to them, allowing them to go about their natural behaviors undisturbed. That’s why the boat couldn’t bring me any closer. I have to admit that it was an experience I will never forget, and I’ll be forever grateful that my little wifey talked me into going. I didn’t realize how thrilled I would be with that whale encounter.

These pics are being shown in reverse order from the way they were taken. I swam with the whales first, in the deep part of the Pacific. Then I met the sharks and stingrays right near the shores, in the ocean’s shallows … where I could actually stand. I reversed the order simply so I could end with what I felt was the most dramatic shot.

This will not be my usual type of post, as it’s mo... (show quote)

Masterful shooting, Moshe, and I really want to tell you how much I appreciate the money you're saving me by posting all these beauties so I can stay home and stay-cation. So here: 💰💰💰💰💰

MosheR Loc: New York City

joecichjr wrote:

Masterful shooting, Moshe, and I really want to tell you how much I appreciate the money you're saving me by posting all these beauties so I can stay home and stay-cation. So here: 💰💰💰💰💰

That will require a ten percent commission.

MosheR Loc: New York City

NMGal wrote:

Awesome, Mel. An adventure to remember.

It certainly was for me.

MosheR Loc: New York City

flyboy61 wrote:

Marvelous!

Thanks!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Really nice, Mel! I haven't yet seen those islands!