THE EXPEDITION

Every year over the same time period, HUMPBACK WHALES come to French Polynesia from Antarctica. The first few are sighted in June and the last ones depart our islands in early December. The peak season is between mid-August and the end of October. Encounters during this period are very frequent.

Breeding females come to deliver their calves in the warm waters of Tahiti and the other adults come to find a mate while being sheltered from their natural off shore predators. This actitivy should involve a professionally trained guide who will have the skills to determine the whales’ activity phases (such as socializing, resting or moving). Boats or tenders should always slow down when they get close to the animals and never turn the engine off.

Your Expedition Leader and Photo Pro Richard Barnden will be giving in depth presentations along with Photography workshops throughout your trip.

THE TEAM

AIRPORT ARRIVAL LOCATION

PAPEETE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PPT)

EXPEDITION DATES

2020 : 15TH - 20TH OCTOBER

2021 : 10TH - 15TH OCTOBER

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 - ARRIVAL - Make way to Moorea

Day 2 - Moorea Whales

Day 3 - Moorea Whales

Day 4 - Moorea Whales

Day 5 - Moorea Whales

Day 6 - Moorea Whales

Day 7 - Moorea Whales - Make way back to Tahiti

Day 8 - DEPARTURE - CHECK OUT

EXCLUDES

• International & Domestic Flight

• Meals other than Lunch

• Park Permits

• Gratuities

• Rental and Dive Gears

• Transport other than Designated

ACCOMMODATION

HOTEL KAVAKA - MOOREA

PACKAGE - $3000

ACCOMMODATION

HILTON HOTEL - MOOREA

PACKAGE - $5500

TRIP ITINERARY AND INFO

WATER TEMPERATURE - 27c / 85F

WETSUIT - 3mm / 5mm

DIGITAL OCEAN EXPLORERS will be holding yearly expeditions to French Polynesia focusing on trying to capture amazing imagery of Humpback Whales. We aim on spending the first four days on the island of Moorea and the remaining three days in Papette where we will have the opportunity to do some shark diving, whale watching and Pelagic’s as well.

• Day One - Travel From Papette to Moorea Island Via Ferry (40mins) check in and arrange dive gears

• Day Two to Four - Moorea Island - We will spend the morning and afternoon looking for whales or any Pelagics that we come across. In the late afternoon we will concentrate on sting rays and sunset split shots. Workshop in the evening.

• Day Five and Six - Papette Island - . We will spend the mornings doing shark dives around Papette and then boat ride to Moorea Island from Papette in the afternoon which is around 45mins. During this time we will look for Pelagic’s and Humpback Whales. We will spend the afternoon looking for whales or any Pelagics that we come across. Workshop in the evening.

• Day Seven - Papette Island - We will boat ride to Moorea Island from Papette in the morning which is around 45mins. During this time we will look for Pelagic’s and Humpback Whales. We will spend the morning and afternoon looking for whales or any Pelagics that we come across

• Day Eight - Check out and departure

WORKSHOP SKILLS

RICHARD BARNDEN from Richard Barnden Photography will be leading this expedition and sharing his knowledge and skills of shooting the Cenotes. Each evening Richard will give in depth presentations about the following days diving along with photography tips on settings and compositions.

The cenotes is one of the best places in the world to shoot those classic cavern shots with eye catching beams of penetrating light. Each day we will explore a new cenote and concentrate on capturing its beauty.

SKILLS EXPLORED

• Equipment and Photographic Gears

• Cave Environments

• Lighting - Ambient Light

• Lighting - Strobes vs Continues light

• Settings and Compositions