From August to October, the Sea Comes Alive
Each year, from August to October, the ocean surrounding Tetiaroa Atoll becomes a sanctuary for humpback whales, known as tohorā in Tahitian. These gentle giants arrive from Antarctica to give birth, mate, and rest in the warm, sheltered waters of French Polynesia’s marine sanctuary.
Their presence is not only a natural wonder. It is a cultural and spiritual event, woven into Polynesian legends and ancestral wisdom.
Tetiaroa is more than a tropical paradise, the atoll is a rare convergence of wild biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and science-led stewardship. With protections enforced under French Polynesia’s marine sanctuary laws, responsible whale watching is guided by conservation-first principles.
Tetiaroa Society, a scientific and cultural non-profit, ensures that every outing respects both the whales and the legacy they represent.
A Gentle Approach to Whale Watching
At The Brando, whale watching is a quiet ritual.
The journey begins at the edge of the reef. With naturalist guides trained in both marine biology and local tradition, together you scan the horizon and search the sea for signs: a distant spout, a gliding tail, a breach on the horizon.
On rare days, if behavior and sea conditions align, you may gently enter the water to watch the whale underwater. Always at a respectful distance. Always on the whales’ terms.
Conservation and Science in Motion
All encounters follow strict science-based protocols established with Tetiaroa Society: reduced boat speeds, no sudden direction changes, greater distance around calves, and only passive observation.
Your presence helps fund whale research, support local conservation, and protect this sanctuary for generations to come.
Tohora: The Whale in Polynesian Lore
In Polynesian culture, Tohorā represents more than a whale. The whale is one of many tāura, a guardian spirit from the natural world. A living symbol of guidance, memory, and protection.
Nō te moana, e ora te tohorā, e ora ato’a ia tātou nei.
If the whale lives, the ocean lives, we live.
To see a whale here is not a show, it is a communion.
A Stay That Protects the Future
Every guest at The Brando directly supports conservation, research,
and educational efforts led by Tetiaroa Society.
Your stay leaves a legacy. Not only for whales, but for coral reefs, seabirds, and future generations.