SWIM WITH WHALES IN MOOREA

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 will have the chance to witness nature in her most beautiful form - the humpback whale.

Picture yourself spending days in a state of awe. When we’re not looking for playful and curious whales we’ll be meeting the beautiful, friendly stingrays and sharks. We’ll be exploring the luscious green island, trying local delights. Relax and recover from your water time by chilling by the pool or kayaking in the lagoon right out front of our Tahitian-style private villa. Rest easy knowing that our experienced hosts are looking after you… and getting some incredible photos of you on the way ;)

  • EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

    - Life-changing connections
    - Respectful & Ethical Interactions with Whales, Sharks and Stingrays
    - Coral Conservation Experience*
    - Pro Photography Package and Tips

    To see what’s included, scroll to the Expedition Details

    *addtl cost

  • DATES

    24 - 30 Aug 2025 
    1 - 7 Sep 2025 
    10 - 16 Sep 2025
    18 - 24 Sep 2025 
    26 Sep - 2 Oct 2025
    4 - 10 Oct 2025

    We are considering additional dates - no guarantees yet!

  • INVESTMENT

    Prices start from USD$4600 (approx AUD$6800 depending on exchange rate)

    Various packages and payment Plans are available.

    Scroll to Expedition Details to check out the Packages!

  • TRAVEL STYLE

    Small-group adventure travel 
    Shared villa accommodation with a mixture of private-chef meals, restaurant meals and home-cooked dinners


    is this trip for me? Keep scrolling to read the expedition details!

EXPEDITION DETAILS

  • For us, freediving is about joy, play, discovery, and feeling 100% alive. We create experiences around bucket-list marine wildlife encounters; the kind of moments you’ll be proud of for the rest of your life.

    We’re super selective when we choose our destinations, suppliers, and team. Every trip aligns strongly with our values.

    We know our trips aren’t cheap. We’re not here for low-cost, barely-there freediving meetups, and we’re not ‘content creators’ looking for a free vacation. We’re professional and experienced facilitators here to make your trip unforgettable.

    So, when you decide to book a trip with us, here’s what you can expect:

    • Small groups (8-16 people depending on the trip)

    • Dedicated 24-hour engagement from facilitators on retreat. You won’t be left to figure out your own dinner plans or solve issues alone.

    • Convenient and secure booking process. No random bank transfers here.

    • Regular communication and information about your trip.

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

    • Licensed, legitimate 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…

    Perhaps these things seem obvious. However, we can confidently say that right now we are running the safest and most legitimate freediving retreat operation in the world. How do we know? We research constantly AND listen to customers and staff members. We’re serious about being the best freediving operation on earth.

  • All prices shown are in USD per person. We have included an approximate AUD for guidance, but the figure will be charged in USD.

    • Shared Room - from USD$4600 (approx A$6800 depending on rate)

    • Private Room - from USD$5200 (approx A$7700 depending on rate)

    • King Ensuite (couples/friends) - from USD$5200 (approx A$7700 depending on rate)

    Psst… If you’ve attended an Immersia Freediving Retreat in the past, you’ve unlocked a 5% discount. Email us if you haven’t received a code!

    Please make sure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking to avoid surprises or disappointment.

  • 2024 sold out!

    For 2025 we are soon taking applications for the following dates:

    24 - 30 Aug 2025 
    1 - 7 Sep 2025 
    10 - 16 Sep 2025
    18 - 24 Sep 2025 

    we may add more dates depending on the demand so don't be put off if you can't make these dates work!

    • 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

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

    • 3 catered dinners at home - an exciting mix of privately catered meals and a pizza night

    • Photography from one of Australia’s leading natural history cinematographers, Ewan Donnachie

    • Workshops - Water skills, photography, movement, medication, careers in wildlife cinematography - we have a series of workshops prepared depending on the preferences and experience of each group!

    • Use of paddleboards and kayaks


      Not Included:

    • Flights

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

    • 3 Dinners out - we have found that when dining out, it's smoothest to let guests self-fund and choose whatever they would like to eat or drink. We will select restaurant options where the average main course costs around USD$20-25

    • Alcohol or other drinks

    • Specific snacks or treats you’d like to bring

    • Freediving equipment (we can give you guidance on where buy in advance. There are no rental options on Moorea)

    • Travel Insurance - This is mandatory and self-funded. All guests must have cover in the event of travel disruptions or injuries/sickness.

    • You're an ocean and lover. You’re not a princess and you appreciate the raw and unpredictable ways of nature.

    • You're tolerant, patient, and respectful in a group setting.

    • You appreciate the beauty of nature and are willing to respect the animals

    • You're very comfortable in deep water

    • You're a very strong swimmer/snorkeller and are comfortable with swimming 300+ metres at a fast pace without assistance or causing excessive splashing.

    • You’re able to lift and lower your body weight over the side of a small boat

    • Medically fit to be in the water - we will require all participants to complete a medical history statement, and we may require clearance from a doctor.

    • Minimum 18 years of age

  • There are so many freediving retreat options out there. Let's make sure we are a good fit!

    • We pride ourselves on having the best customer experience in the freediving industry, so you can expect a smooth booking process, lots of communication, and dedicated 24h engagement from the team on retreat.

    • We’re a value-led company and everything we do reflects these values; please check them out!

    • We won’t force animal interactions for photos.

    • We rise early, dive a lot, have a lot of fun, and go to bed pretty early. It's probably not the one if you want to party hard.

    • The majority of our guests are in the 25-45 age range, but we host all ages 18+, so please expect variety!

    • Our customer base is primarily Australian, but we love hosting guests from all over the world.

    • We’re LGBTQIA+ friendly.

    • We really, really, really value great group dynamics and we are grateful for respectful, tolerant, drama-free people!

    • The atmosphere is often playful and silly - dancing, games, human pyramids, sports, dirty jokes. If this isn’t your vibe, there may be a better fit for you…

    We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, supportive, and super friendly place. Our guests are all treated equally. However, if you feel you may need additional levels of personal support, please contact us first for an honest discussion about how we can facilitate this.

  • 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 8-13 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.

YOUR EXPEDITION TEAM

BELLA MASSEY

Founder of Immersia Freediving, Head Facilitator/Instructor

For me, ocean adventure travel embodies the joy I’ve found in this world: feeling alive, connected, and high on awe.

In 2017 moved from London to Sydney’s Bondi Beach. I was living a corporate, urban existence as a management consultant.. Moving to the beach opened up the perfect opportunity to take up a new water sport. I chose freediving (tbh it was advanced snorkelling).

To be clear, I was TERRIFIED of deep water, currents, waves and sharks. Freediving didn’t come naturally. However, as I grew more confident I found a deep sense of physical freedom. Freediving felt like dancing without gravity. Silently observing the underwater world as a visitor felt so calming. I made some of my closest friends (and my husband) in Sydney’s freediving community.

I felt I could help regular land dwelling people discover the ocean and transform their physical, mental and social health. So, in 2020, I took the biggest leap of faith of my life and walked away from my career to start Immersia Freediving.

4 years on, we have grown faster than I ever imagined. We’ve been lucky enough to teach over 1000 people to freedive and we have now hosted snorkelling, swimming and freediving expeditions in some of the world’s most beautiful places.

EWAN DONNACHIE

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

I’m a lifelong ocean and nature lover, spending my childhood exploring the natural world and starting my career as an Australian professional Bodyboarder.

Growing up on the coast of New South Wales, I spent my early years exploring nature, chasing waves and developing a passion for the natural world. Pushing myself to ride some of the most dangerous waves in the world, like those at Shipstern Bluff and Tahiti’s Teahupo’o, taught me how to navigate extreme environments. My transition into cinematography felt natural.

Today, I work as a wildlife cinematographer, shooting on projects with BBC Natural History, Netflix, Nat Geo and Disney+. I’ve been lucky to access some of the rarest and most remotely located animal behaviours. I’ve grown a deep appreciation for the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

I’ve been with Immersia since day 1 as head photographer, host and freediving instructor. I love to co-host our wildlife-focused trips and retreats, capturing the best moments and guiding our guests on how have positive, respectful and ethical interactions. Moorea holds a special place in my heart and I feel truly stoked to be able to show our guests this incredible island.

The Concept of “Mana

Mana is the invisible life force that flows through all living things, connecting people, nature, and the spirit world.

It’s the powerful energy you feel in the ocean's rhythm or the whisper of the wind through the trees—alive, present, and deeply grounding.

For Polynesians, Mana is sacred, guiding how to live, honour ancestors, and maintain harmony with the land, embodying both personal strength and a deep respect for the natural world.

  • What our previous guests say...

    Bella once more joined her powers with the best local business and her enthusiasm, her friendliness, her experience, her attention, her helpfulness, her constant commitment to safety, was joined and maximized with the assistance of Ewan and all the local people she worked with. 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