humpback WHALES & a hiking CAT! [ep 180]
October 16, 2025 · 16 min · 152K views · Moorea
What this video covers
The Beneteau Oceanis 510 anchors in Moorea, French Polynesia, amid tightening local regulations that restrict anchorages to two vessels and require advance booking.▶ 2:59 The anchorage features shallow, clear water populated by eagle rays, southern stingrays, and blacktip reef sharks, though heavy rainfall causes significant land runoff that temporarily clouds the water.▶ 2:32 During humpback whale season, local laws mandate the use of licensed guides for whale encounters, limiting in-water activity to between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Operators must adhere to strict protocols, including a three-boat limit per whale group and a prohibition on chasing animals.▶ 4:47 During a guided excursion between Moorea and Tahiti, the crew observes humpback whales in three-to-four-foot swells but finds interaction difficult due to the animals' rapid movement.▶ 12:30 The visit concludes with a hike on Moorea, where the crew encounters a cat on the trail.▶ 14:49
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