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• MO'OREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA — AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2026

Swim With Humpback Whales. Come Home Different.

An intimate expedition for 4 guests. Ethical encounters. World-class mentorship. One of the rarest wildlife experiences on Earth.

Check Availability
2026 is nearly sold out — join the 2027 waitlist →
French PolynesiaMo'orea
6 Expedition WindowsJul – Oct 2026
Per Expedition4 Guests Max
Full & Half Days11 or 8 Ocean Days
2 Co-HostsPhoto & Video Package

This is not a whale tour. It's an intentionally designed expedition — built around ethical wildlife encounters, world-class photography mentorship, and the kind of depth that most travel never gives you. Small groups. Curated guests. Real ocean days. Two hosts who care about who sits at the dinner table as much as what happens in the water. If you've been looking for something that actually means something — keep reading.

This is for you if...

This is for you if
  • ·You want depth over speed
  • ·You value ethics over spectacle
  • ·You're comfortable in open ocean
  • ·You want mentorship, not just a tour
  • ·You're ready to feel something real
  • ·You care about who you travel with
This isn't for you if
  • ·You need guaranteed wildlife sightings
  • ·You're looking for the cheapest option
  • ·You want selfie opportunities
  • ·You're impatient with nature's pace
  • ·You prefer large group energy
  • ·You just want a quick whale photo
Mo'orea — Whale Sanctuary in the South Pacific
THE DESTINATION

Mo'orea — Whale Sanctuary in the South Pacific

Mo'orea is a volcanic island just 30 minutes by ferry from Tahiti. Dramatic peaks, crystal lagoons, white sand beaches — and from July to October, one of the most important humpback whale habitats on Earth. The whales come here to rest, give birth, and mate. They're not passing through. They're home. Mo'orea sits inside the world's largest whale sanctuary. Strict local regulations allow a maximum of 6 people in the water at any time — making this one of the most ethical and intimate whale encounter destinations that exists. We work with a licensed local captain and certified whale guide who find whales independently — no following other boats, no crowding, no rushing. When a whale chooses to stay, you'll understand why people call this life-changing. HOW TO GET THERE → Fly into Papeete International Airport (PPT), Tahiti → Take the 30-minute ferry to Mo'orea → We handle all transfers from the ferry terminal onward

THE EXPERIENCE

Everything You Need. Nothing You Don't.

Ocean Days

Guided whale encounters — a mix of full and half days on the water

Private Villa

Serene shared villa with pool, mountain views, and AC rooms

All Transfers

Pickup from Mo'orea ferry terminal + all island transport throughout your stay

Photography Workshops

Underwater photography guidance + video editing sessions with two professional mentors

Pro Photo & Video Package

Curated expedition documentation — you go home with world-class imagery of your experience

Camera Try-Outs

Optional: test 2 professional underwater camera setups during the expedition

Villa Dinners

Healthy, delicious group dinners at the villa on scheduled evenings

Full-Day Lunches

Fresh lunch onboard prepared by a local chef on every full ocean day

Freediving Introduction

In-water skills training — body positioning, breath work, and movement for whale encounters

Marine Biology Talk

Evening presentation by a local marine biologist — whale science, behavior, and conservation

Lagoon Experience

Guided snorkel visit — blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, turtles, and eagle rays

Permits & Fees

All required whale interaction permits and operational costs are included

Not includedInternational flights and mandatory travel insurance · Ferry ticket to/from Mo'orea · Personal snorkel/dive equipment and camera gear · Breakfasts · Lunches on half-day ocean days · Restaurant dinners outside scheduled villa meals · Extra snacks, alcoholic drinks, or café items · Visa or entry fees (if applicable)

Palms and a glassy lagoon with a traditional outrigger canoe at dawn — Mo'orea
Mo'orea expedition
Palm trees and a still lagoon at sunset, boats on the horizon — Mo’orea island evening
THE RHYTHM

Different Days, Different Shapes

  1. MISSION DAYS · 05:45

    Early Alarm, First Light - or Coffee & Brunch First

    Early mornings: Coffee, individual breakfast and camera bags by the door. Slow mornings with no alarm, long breakfast at the poolside, journaling and manifesting our dream afternoon encounter.

  2. THEN

    Drive to the Marina

    Short island drive to meet our captain and crew. Briefing on the way — conditions, whale behavior, the plan.

  3. FULL OR HALF DAY

    Whale Sessions

    Some days we're out from morning to afternoon, some days it's a focused half-day session. When we find them, everything stops: you slip in quietly, and if the whale stays, you stay.

  4. AFTERNOON

    Villa Time

    Back to base. Naps, photo reviews, pool, editing with me if you want it — or absolutely nothing, just time to digest.

  5. SOME DAYS

    Island & Sunset

    Viewpoints, lagoon, little island missions — golden hour usually finds us somewhere beautiful.

  6. EVENING

    Dinner Together

    Either our chef cooks at the villa or we head out for a dinner outing — a table full of stories either way.

  7. NIGHT

    Rest

    Early nights are normal here. Tomorrow the ocean opens up again.

2026 SEASON

Choose Your Week

EXPEDITION 3 — Mother & Calf Season · 11 DAYSLAST SPOTS

Sep 18 – Sep 28, 2026

€7,900

1 SPOT LEFTReserve Your Spot
Missed 2026? The 2027 waitlist hears first →
YOUR HOSTS

Meet Sina & Szabi

SINA RITTER

SINA RITTER

Co-Host · Underwater Photography · Expedition Design

Owner of Liquid Shark Divers, Fuvahmulah Multi-award-winning underwater photographer and expedition leader. Background in literature and philosophy. Her approach prioritises respect, presence, and emotional authenticity over spectacle. Sina designs each expedition around depth — not just what you see in the water, but how you see it. She leads small, intentionally shaped experiences worldwide, focused on slowing down, observing deeply, and forming genuine connections with marine life. EXPEDITION ROLE → Underwater photography guidance & mentoring → Visual storytelling & emotional framing → Expedition management & on-site logistics → Guest flow, group dynamics & experience design → Ethical wildlife interaction

SZABI NEMETH

SZABI NEMETH

Co-Host · Video & Photography · Freediving & Cinematic Storytelling

Wildlife & Travel Photographer · Australia Internationally experienced photographer and filmmaker with over 20 years of visual storytelling across 90+ countries. Work selected for a National Geographic exhibition. SSI Divemaster and PADI Freediving Instructor. Szabi specialises in translating movement, behaviour, and emotion into cinematic narratives — working with patience, rhythm, and body awareness to help moments unfold naturally alongside marine life. Presence over performance. EXPEDITION ROLE → Underwater photo, video & cinematic storytelling → Freediving-based positioning & movement coaching → Reading animal behaviour through motion → Mentoring in video mindset, flow & pacing

1:1 MENTORSHIP UPGRADE — OPTIONAL

Want More 1:1 Time With Sina?

The expedition already includes photography workshops with both me and Szabi — that's part of every Mo'orea week. But if you're after something deeper — proper 1:1 time with me in the water, frame-by-frame editing breakdowns, your own personal focus woven through the trip — you can add a 1:1 mentorship on top of your expedition week. I run mentorships at LSD year-round, and I open up a very limited number of 1:1 spots on each Mo'orea expedition. If that's the experience you want, here's how to add it. 3-day intensive · 5-day immersive · 7-day full transformation · or custom-built. HOW MENTORSHIP BOOKING WORKS DURING A MO'OREA EXPEDITION Step 1 — Apply for the mentorship with me first. Application happens on the mentorship page. Mentorship spots during expeditions are very limited — applying first lets me confirm whether I can layer 1:1 time onto your chosen week before you book. Step 2 — Book your Mo'orea week separately. Use the "Choose Your Week" section above to secure your expedition spot once we're aligned. The mentorship layers on top of the week you choose — the expedition itself is still booked through this page.

See the full mentorship offering
THE DIFFERENCE

This Is Not a Whale Tour

Standard whale tour
This expedition
15–20+ tourists per boat
Maximum 4 guests
Rushed encounters, tight schedule
6–8 full ocean days, flexible rhythm
Follow other boats to whales
Dedicated captain finds whales independently
No photography guidance
Two professional mentors in the water with you
Random group, no curation
Guests are selected for fit and energy
Hotel room, tourist logistics
Private villa, all transfers, group dinners
You get a sighting
You get a shift in perspective

How to Join

01

Reach Out

Send us an email with a bit about yourself — your connection to the ocean, your photography background (if any), and which dates interest you. We want to know you're a good fit. And that we're a good fit for you.

02

Secure Your Spot

Once we've connected and confirmed your dates, a 50% non-refundable deposit locks in your place. Payment plans are available — just ask.

03

You're In

Welcome to the expedition. We'll send you everything you need — packing list, travel logistics, gear suggestions, and a personal welcome from your hosts.

2026 SEASON

APPLY FOR A SPOT.

Four guests per week. I read every application personally and reply within 48–72 hours.

By submitting you're sharing your info with me — used only to reply to your application.

Questions We Get Asked

No. You don't need any dive certification. If you're a confident swimmer and comfortable using a mask, snorkel, and fins in open water, you're ready. Humpback whales often come right to the surface, so encounters happen at snorkel depth. We recommend being able to swim at least 150 metres unassisted in the open ocean. We also include a freediving introduction session at the start of the expedition to help with body positioning, breath awareness, and comfort in the water.
→ Mask, snorkel, and fins (your own for best fit) → 3mm wetsuit (currently mandatory — we can provide a life vest alternative) → Reef-safe sunscreen → Windbreaker and hat for boat rides → Your camera setup — any level, from action camera to professional rig We also bring 2 professional underwater camera setups that you're welcome to try during the expedition at no extra cost.
The ocean is unpredictable — that's part of what makes it real. Conditions in Mo'orea between July and October are generally warm and calm, but rough days happen. When they do, we adapt. We might shift to a half day, visit the lagoon, run a photography workshop, or simply rest. Flexibility is built into the expedition design. We never force a day that the ocean doesn't want to give us.
Underwater photographers wanting world-class encounters and mentorship. Ocean lovers craving genuine connection with marine life. Creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs looking for an emotional reset. Solo travellers wanting meaningful adventure with the right people. Couples wanting a rare, shared life memory. This is not designed for selfie tourists, bargain hunters, or anyone who needs guaranteed wildlife sightings. We're honest about that because it protects the experience for everyone.
Mo'orea's lagoon is home to blacktip reef sharks — small, harmless, and genuinely beautiful to observe. You'll likely see them during the guided lagoon visit, and many guests say it changes how they feel about sharks entirely. In open water during whale encounters, shark sightings are extremely rare. Your hosts are experienced ocean professionals and safety is always the priority.
→ International flights to Tahiti → Mandatory travel insurance → Ferry ticket to/from Mo'orea → Your own snorkel/dive gear and camera equipment → Breakfasts → Lunches on half-day ocean days → Restaurant dinners outside scheduled villa meals → Extra snacks, alcoholic drinks, or café items → Visa or entry fees (if applicable)
Yes — a very limited number of 1:1 mentorship spots open on each Mo'orea expedition. Mentorships are application-only and booked separately from the expedition itself. If you're interested, apply for the mentorship first on my mentorship page so we can confirm availability for your chosen week — then book your expedition spot here.
Yes — we're planning Mo'orea 2027. However, operational costs are rising significantly and we will need to increase pricing for next season. If you've been thinking about this, 2026 is the best value you'll get. If 2027 works better for your timing, you can join the priority waitlist and we'll reach out before spots go public.