Postcard: French Polynesia 2019
What more could anyone ask for; gorgeous weather, sun-kissed tropical islands with palm trees swaying over white-sand beaches, sensational diving, incredible marine encounters, and spectacular sunsets, all while staying in beautiful overwater bungalows and from aboard our privately chartered yacht?
Our Wild Earth Explorers were treated to an extraordinary adventure throughout French Polynesia, with the main focus on diving with sharks, and our Explorers weren’t disappointed.
Rurutu offered a genuine island experience with horseback rides along the beach, Humpback whales breach playful off the coast, night fishing, traditional feasts, beach walks, a 4x4 exploration, and real genuine Polynesian hospitality at our lovely lodge.
In the crystal-clear waters off Tahiti, we laid on the surface of the water, absorbing the haunting song of a male Humpback whale as it reverberated through our bodies as it swam up and past us, a deeply touching experience.
The clear warm water off Moorea was alive with pods of Risso’s dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins, Humpback and Pilot whales. We were treated to striking scenery with dramatic backdrops of steep lush green mountains adjacent to turquoise bays. It was simply magic to be surrounded by Blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, and large lemon sharks. The adrenaline got pumping when a large and inquisitive Oceanic Whitetip shark came up close to our Snorkelers.
Exploring the marine channels of the Tuamotu Archipelago from the comfort of our privately chartered yacht was a highlight of this expedition. Spectacular channel dives and incredible shark action amongst the beauty of the Atolls. It was beyond words being surrounded by hundreds of patrolling Grey Reef sharks, witnessing the mass-spawning of schooling Tangs at sunset on a strong outgoing tide, and watching giant Manta rays effortlessly glide past us. We delighted in an intimate encounter with playful Bottlenose dolphins, as they sought out our touch and interaction. It was thrilling to watch dozens of hunting Grey Reef sharks patrol through vast schools of blue-lined snapper, curious Hammerhead sharks came up from the deep to see what we were, enormous schools of fish aggregating around the channel mouths and along the drop-offs.
Having these incredible marine encounters, coupled with great hikes to amazing viewpoints, breath-taking aerial views from a helicopter of the lush valleys and turquoise lagoons, private beach BBQ dinners, traditional dances, and delicious local cuisine and a hilariously fun dress-up party, made this an exceptional Wild Earth Expedition. We will certainly be back for more...
Thomas Baechtold
Wild Earth Expeditions
“Another superb Wild Earth experience with so many special memories: stunningly beautiful islands, up close and personal encounters with wild dolphins, humpback whales, mantas, a blue marlin and sharks, sharks, sharks. We visited one aptly named dive site, Wall of Sharks, where the numbers were simply beyond counting. I saw more sharks during 25 dives in this one trip than in my previous 650 dives combined! It is wonderful to know that at least in this corner of the Pacific, they continue to exist in such abundance. As always, every detail was thoughtfully planned and carried out in the personal and efficient style I have come to expect. Thank you, Wild Earth Expeditions!”