Frequently asked questions

Yes they are. Aitutaki is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to whale interactions which means there are very few boats and people out on the water at any given time. The operators do not chase down or harass the whales and only allow interactions to occur on the whales’ terms.

Unfortunately, no! Whales are wild animals, and sightings and swims can never be guaranteed. September is peak humpback whale season in the Cook Islands, and with five full days dedicated to whale encounters, we’ll have multiple opportunities to find them. Ultimately, though, the whales call the shots!

Humpback whales are the species we are most likely to encounter. They migrate from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer Cook Islands waters during the July-to-October season to mate, give birth and care for calves. Other whale species have occasionally been recorded in the Cook Islands, but sightings are uncommon and should not be expected.

Generally speaking, humpback whales are known to be gentle and inquisitive. It is however very important to acknowledge that we are in the presence of a wild 25+ tonne animal where anything is possible. It is important to always follow the guide’s instructions at all times to remain as safe as possible.

The open ocean beyond Aitutaki’s outer reef supports a range of marine life. Possible encounters include dolphins, sharks, turtles and pelagic fish such as tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Sightings are unpredictable, so none of these species can be guaranteed.

Yes, there are sharks. The most common sharks are reef sharks which are generally docile and relatively small. As we will be swimming in the open ocean with the whales, there is the potential for species such as tiger sharks, mako sharks, hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetips, however sightings are rare.

The skipper and local operator will assess the weather and sea conditions each day. Departure may be delayed, shortened or cancelled if conditions are unsuitable. Where the itinerary and conditions allow, we will try to reschedule lost time, but replacement time cannot be guaranteed.

We sure can! Just make sure you let us know when you submit your booking request. We will also follow up to confirm this has been noted.

You do not need to be an advanced swimmer, but you must be able to swim competently, remain calm in deep open water and follow the crew’s instructions. Conditions may include swell, current and boat entry or exit. Flotation aids such as life jackets or pool noodles may be available, but they do not replace basic swimming ability or confidence in the ocean.

The minimum age is 18. There is no set maximum age, but participants must be in suitable health, meet the swimming requirements and feel confident in open-ocean conditions.

The areas that we travel within during the whale swim experiences are usually relatively calm but open-ocean swell can trigger seasickness. If you’re prone to seasickness, we recommend speaking with your doctor or pharmacist before the trip about suitable medication and when to take it. Bring your preferred medication with you, as we wouldn’t want you to rely on being able to find what you need locally. Any medication should be taken in accordance with medical advice and its instructions.

We’re aiming for a small group of around 7–12 people in total, including the two of us hosting. The exact number will depend on final bookings, but the idea is to keep the experience personal and give everyone a chance to enjoy the adventure together.

At the time of year that we will be there (late September), the ocean temperature generally sits between 24.5–25.5°C.

Aitutaki has a warm tropical climate, but conditions can change quickly. In September and October, typical daytime highs are around 26–28°C, with overnight lows generally around 21–24°C. September is usually part of the drier period, although rain is still possible.

Aitutaki operates on Cook Islands Time (UTC−10), on the other side of the International Date Line to Australia. This can make flight dates a little confusing, as you may arrive on the same local calendar day that you departed Australia. Be sure to double-check the dates and times on your flight bookings, particularly if you’re staying overnight in Rarotonga.

Absolutely! If your luggage allowance allows, we recommend bringing your own mask and fins if you have them and find them comfortable. Don’t have your own gear? No stress – we’ll have snorkelling equipment available on the boat each day.

This one is personal preference. The ocean temperature generally sits around 25.5°C – for most people this is quite a nice temperature for a small amount of time, however if we are in the water for prolonged periods (e.g. over 30 minutes), which is common, then you can get cold if wearing just bathers. We wear 3/5mm full-length wetsuits and find it comfortable. We would not recommend anything thicker than 5mm.

The times can vary a lot and are completely dependent on the whale/s. Some interactions may only last a few minutes and other times we could be in the water for over an hour. We’ll generally make multiple “drops” throughout the day, getting in and out of the water as the whales move or new opportunities arise. Every encounter is different and the whales always set the pace.

Yes absolutely – bring as much gear as you can fit! If you don’t have any gear, no stress – we will have photography and videography gear and will be uploading captured content to the shared cloud folder.

Yes, you can but only in limited spots. Because the island is small and has an airport, there are only a few spots on the island that you can fly that don’t conflict with controlled airspace. Of course, you must always abide by local laws with regards to using drones and we encourage you to review them prior to launching.

No, sorry. This is an adults-only expedition, and all participants must be at least 18 years old.

As per the cancellation policy – if you cancel before 30 March 2027 you will receive a full refund. Cancellation after 30 March 2027 is non-refundable unless we are able to fill your spot with another participant.

We are here for a good time, not a long time… The itinerary does not include any dedicated rest days. There will be some downtime after the daily experiences before dinner and after. We would not recommend this expedition if you plan on a slow-paced, relaxing trip.

Aitutaki has a hospital and government pharmacy services, but facilities, specialist care and medicine stocks are more limited than on the main island of Rarotonga. Bring enough of any regular prescription medication for the entire trip, together with a copy of your prescription, and do not assume that a particular medicine will be available locally.

All payments are made by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The payment schedule is: 10% when your booking is confirmed, 50% by 30 March 2027, 20% by 30 June 2027 and the final 20% by 30 August 2027.

We will be making dinner reservations every night and transfers are included. You are welcome to join the dinner reservation, with the only difference being that on nights where dinner is not included, you cover your own costs. You can of course opt to make your own reservations or dine in at the accommodation.

Breakfast options can be limited on the island, especially early in the morning. We recommend bringing your own breakfast supplies or picking up a few things locally that you can prepare at the accommodation. For reference, we usually bring our own granola and almond milk!

Yes, once the group is finalised, we will create a group chat (most likely in WhatsApp). We will use this group chat as the main communication channel in the lead up to and during the trip.

Mobile coverage is available on Aitutaki, but it may be less consistent than in Australia. Vodafone Cook Islands is the main local mobile provider and offers physical travel SIMs and eSIMs. Some Australian carriers may offer roaming, but availability and charges vary, so check with your provider before departure.

This isn’t your ordinary holiday, so knowing exactly what to pack can be tricky! Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you an information pack with practical advice and a suggested packing list to help you prepare for the boat trips, swimming and time on the island.

Visit our booking page and complete the booking request form. Submitting the form does not guarantee a place and no payment is taken at that stage. We will review your request and contact you to confirm availability and provide the next steps.

Travel insurance is not included in the expedition ‘inclusions’. We highly recommend you obtain your own travel insurance for this expedition. Read the PDS to make sure all activities are covered.