The Ultimate Packing List for Swimming with Whales in 2024
Swimming with whales can be one of the most emotional and life-changing experiences with wildlife. As long as it’s done responsibly and with great care and patience, this unique activity can help support the continued protection of whales and help people build a personal, genuine connection to these highly sentient animals.
Swimming with whales is only permitted for tourists in specific locations around the world, and protocol should be followed at all times to avoid scaring or disturbing the whales.
Currently, the best places to swim with whales include Tonga, French Polynesia, Comoros, Mauritius, Australia, and Norway. Whales also gather in significant numbers in Hawaii, the Cook Islands, the Azores, Samoa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Dominica, and Canada, amongst other places. However, in most cases, securing appropriate scientific or media permits is necessary to enter the water with them.
Photo: Matt Reichel
Looking to swim with whales?
What to Pack
It’s vital to be mentally and physically prepared for swimming with whales. Having the correct gear, clothing, and equipment can help you have a successful and enjoyable swim, whether in the Polynesian islands or Tonga.
Snorkel, Free-diving and Swimming Gear
Mask
this is one of the most important, if not the most important, pieces of gear you will need to enjoy your whale swimming experience. How do you know if a mask is right for you? A good mask should fit your face snugly, maintain suction to your face while you breathe without the strap on, not constrict the bridge of your nose, and be comfortable. With masks, you get what you pay for.
I also recommend black-sided/framed masks, as the clear-sided masks may result in light leaks, causing your view to become obstructed with reflections.
It’s a good idea to try on your mask before buying it or buy through Amazon well ahead of your trip, so if it does not fit well, you can return it. If using a new mask (glass lenses), be sure to use toothpaste or a lighter flame to remove the thin factory coating on the inside of the mask before use.
Here are some mask suggestions:
Mares Viper— great mask for freediving, solid seal, good for people with smaller or more narrow faces.
Mares x-Free Spearfishing Freediving Mask— top-of-the-line mask for freediving.
Cressi Matrix Black— great freediving and snorkeling mask from Cressi.
Mako Freediving Mask— a lower cost yet great option for a solid freediving mask with no leakage and small volume.
OMGear Scuba Diving Mask— a much cheaper alternative to the more pricy free-diving masks.
Mask secured.
Snorkel
I recommend using a bare-bones free-diving snorkel for whale swimming. A snorkel with a drain at the top is fine, so that splashing water will not go down your snorkel and into your mouth, but the more complex the technology, the more chance of it presenting problems. As a general rule of thumb, keep it simple, and it will not fail.
My recommendations include:
Pure basic snorkel (highly recommended)— Mares Pure Instinct Snorkel
Snorkel with drain and valve: Cressi Supernova Dry
Fins
It is important to have good fins so that you can move the water quickly, quietly and cover distance. The most important thing is that your fins are comfortable. They should ideally be negatively buoyant so your fins stay beneath the surface when moving to not disturb the whales. Splashing at the surface can easily scare them away. Do not get fins that require booties; thin lycra socks are fine if they are slightly too big or uncomfortable on your feet.
Free-diving and or spearfishing fins are excellent, assuming you are already comfortable using them, as they are very long and can cause extreme leg cramps if you are not used to using fins this size. If in doubt, use a pair of medium-length fins that strike a healthy balance between speed and ease of use.
Fins should be bendable and fit snugly on your feet; cheap, stiff plastic fins with back straps are not recommended. I recommend the following:
Free-diving fins— Cressi Men's Gara 3000 LD Long Distance Long Blade Diving Fins
Medium length adjustable strap snorkeling/scuba fins: Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Bungee Strap Fin
Medium length fixed size snorkeling/scuba fins: Mares Superchannel Full Foot Scuba Fins
Medium/short length snorkeling fins: Cressi Adult Snorkeling Fins with Self-Adjustable Comfortable Full Foot Pocket
Wetsuits, Wetsuit Tops, Shorties or Spring Suits
Whale swimming typically requires several jumps in and out of a boat and a lot of searching in open waters for whales. You can expect to spend prolonged periods of time in the water and sitting on a boat drenched. Despite tropical temperatures and warm water, most people get cold going in and out of the water all day long, and many of your boat towels will end up becoming too wet to use throughout the day.
Most people will want a wetsuit top, shorty, spring suit, or some type of wetsuit that keeps your torso warm. People who get cold very easily may want a 2-3mm full-body wetsuit, and with that comes the added benefit of flotation. Even if you don’t wear a wetsuit, it is good to have one on hand in case of rain or cloudy weather.
If you decide to purchase a wetsuit online, keep in mind many of the manufacturers are from Asia and the sizes run small— meaning that it’s best to order a size or two bigger than you normally would.
Some options to look into include:
Wetsuits
For higher-end wetsuits, you can check out Cressi, but unless you want to invest $300 or more in a nice 2-piece free-diving suit, they are all about the same at the basic level.
Shorties
Rash Guards
Ready to see some whales.
Weight-belt and Weights
if you plan on freediving with the whales (appropriate except when you are with a mother and calf, as free diving can easily be seen as threatening to them), you will need a weight-belt and weights to help counter buoyancy (caused by your wetsuit and your body itself). Depending on your free-diving experience and how buoyant you are, you should bring enough weights to aim for neutral buoyancy between 10-20 meters in depth.
Scuba Choice Heavy Duty Rubber Weight Belt with SS Buckle— easy to use, easy to add weights, one of the best for free diving.
SEAC Nylon Buckle Rubber Belt— a rubber weight belt that is fully adjustable and sticks well to your wetsuit.
Anti-fog drops or baby shampoo
extremely useful for de-fogging your mask. One of the best and cheapest solutions is to mix baby shampoo and water and use that solution to clean out your mask before rinsing it out with seawater. Otherwise, you can bring along anti-fog drops or spray.
Baby Shampoo
Underwater Photography Gear
Underwater housing for DSLR cameras
Dome Port for underwater housings
Wide-angle lens (typically when taking photos of whales underwater, you will want to shoot between 11mm and 30mm). Whales are massive animals and you will tend to get very close to them on a good swim.
Housing grips
GoPro HERO 7 Black or HERO 6 Black make good, easy to use, substitutes for a full underwater DSLR kit, depending on the quality and use you’re going for. The HERO 6 and 7 Blacks do very well underwater for whale shots.
Cleaning kit
Extra towel or two for the camera
Store your camera in a large bucket of freshwater while on the boat, and be sure to fully flush the buttons and housing exterior with fresh water after each day in the sea.
Electronics
Adapter
Camera batteries and charger
Clothing
Rash Guard
T-shirts
Towel and beach towel
Swimsuits
Shorts
Hat or bandana for sun protection
A pair of pants for indoor activities
Sarong (women)
Light jacket or windbreaker
Sandals, flip flops, or water shoes
Medications, Toiletries & Miscellaneous
Sunscreen (reef-safe, water-resistant, reapply every 90 minutes in the sun)
Seasickness medication (Gravol or Dramamine)
Sunglasses for both sun and boat spray
White vinegar (for possible jellyfish stings)
A mild hydrocortisone cream (for potential stings in the water)
Swimming with whales in Rurutu, French Polynesia.
FAQs on what to pack for swimming with whales
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Yes, it is safe to swim with whales. Following a few basic ground rules, swimming with whales can be a rewarding and safe adventure for humans and whales.
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Currently, the best places to swim with whales include Tonga, French Polynesia, Comoros, Mauritius, Australia, and Norway. Whales also gather in significant numbers in Hawaii, the Cook Islands, the Azores, Samoa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Dominica, and Canada, amongst other places.
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Yes, it's crucial to choose operators and boat captains committed to sustainable and respectful wildlife tourism practices. This includes limiting disturbances to the animals, not positioning motorized boats too close to the whales (100-meter minimum distance), adhering to strict interaction guidelines, and supporting conservation efforts.
Final Thoughts
Whale swimming gear aside, for those looking to get the most out of their experience, I highly recommend that you try to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with the ocean. As stewards of the sea, we can take inspiration from them in how we care for our planet and the majestic animals we are surrounded by. The ocean is a home; let’s be sure we keep it that way.
Photo: Matt Reichel
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