This trip changed me - it was the best experience of my life! The team were also just absolutely wonderful and extremely accomodating. I can't recommend them enough!!

This was such an extraordinary experience. Each time I slipped off the back of the boat and entered the whales’ world, I felt as though I was coming home. I couldn’t wait to return to the water. I was blessed to share the week with a lovely family. Our guide, Cassie, and the Tongan crew were warm, caring and deeply respectful of the whales. Andrea’s food was delicious, the accommodation was comfortable, and I felt very well looked after. I came home feeling incredibly grateful. It was a very special week.

Hard to sum it up in words but my experience with Dancing with Whales in French Polynesia was really remarkable and is at the top of the list of many dive and adventure trips I've ever done. From the get-go, Karim, made everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and excited in our group. The experience was wholly authentic and just what I was looking for from start to end. His knowledge of the whales, great travel stories, calm presence, and clear passion for what he does added to the experience. Of course, his photography is top-notch and he gave the group some amazing shots from our week! The local team on the boat and in the water were absolutely amazing and deserve a shoutout as well. Manutea and Igor were so friendly, quite hilarious, and made sure the entire group was safe in the water while consistently putting us in the best position to find and swim with the whales. They were so much fun to be around, made each day that much more enjoyable, and I'm thankful for what they shared about Rurutu with us! The whales themselves.....wow. It was pretty awe-inspiring and humbling to be in the water with something so substantial yet so gentle and graceful. We had a curious, chunky Mammone and his Mom who we swam with all week, saw a whale baby romp around us, saw multiple whales at once, and generally had amazing experiences in the water. It’s hard to describe being in the natural environment of such incredible animals and one of the most incredible things was that we were often the only boat in the water which lent it itself to being one of the most unique, authentic, and amazing wildlife encounters I've ever had. I can’t recommend Dancing with Whales and Karim enough. Book it with confidence and get ready for an amazing trip.

This was a trip of a lifetime for me. Our group saw whales everyday. We were in the water with juveniles together, a singing male whale, mama and baby and more juveniles 4 out of the 5 swim-days. Beautiful sunsets, beaches, rainbows, laughter with new friends and a hike to the Monster Cave by our captain and his mate were only some of the added sweeteners. I felt like I was on a National Geographic guided trip. Karim and the team were so knowledgeable about these magnificent creatures as well as the island in general. There really are no words to describe what we witnessed swimming with these humpback whales. There grace , trust, playfulness and love for humans was unfathomable. I enjoyed this trip so much, that I have decided to swim with the whales again, but in Tonga 2026!

This was my second trip with Dance with Whales, and once again I absolutely loved it. I felt super well taken care of from the get go (starting even before the moment of booking) and had a magnificent week. Nature granted us beautiful moments with the humpbacks, as well as pilot whales and dolphins, and since all encounters are managed well and most importantly ethically, you can relax into the beauty, excitement and enjoyment of them. Beyond the time on and in the water, naturally, highlights were the stellar cooking, beautiful house in a stunning location – and of course the team, who are so lovely and really go above and beyond to ensure everyone has a good experience. All my love and gratitude to Karim, Cassie, Andrea, the boys, and of course Vendy! To many more shared swims!