Mo’orea, French Polynesia
Swim with humpback whales; Led like an expedition, captured like cinema.
Mo’orea is one of the most extraordinary places on earth to share the ocean with humpback whales.
done with patience, precision, and respect.
Schark Society trips are small by design: curated guests, high standards in the water, and leadership built on real expedition experience.
Dates 2026
TentaTive Date: Sept 27th - OCt 3rd 2026
7 days/6 night stay/5 days on the water
Group: max 5 persons
Skill: Moderate
Apply for Access: 3/5 spots Available
Price: $4990
Primary focus: humpback whales. Secondary encounters often include dolphins, rays, and sharks…always wild, always on their terms.
Pricing is for single occupancy; one upgraded room is available for an additional cost.
Payment plans and alternate payment options are available upon request.
Why Schark Society?
A lot of whale swims exist now. Very few are led like a real expedition.
Schark Society is for people who want more than a tour:
Leadership you can feel. I’ve led ocean-based trips for 7+ years, guiding groups in dynamic open-water environments with a calm, competent approach.
Multi-species experience. I’ve worked around the world with sharks, whales, and underwater life across different regions. Not just a single season in one place.
Freediving-certified + underwater photographer. I’m not just getting you “in the water,” I’m coaching on how to move, breathe, and position safely so encounters can unfold naturally, and I’m capturing it with an eye trained for underwater storytelling.
Medically Trained. Ocean conditions change fast. People get anxious. Unexpected situations and encounters arise. Bodies do weird things. Having a leader who can assess, stabilize, and keep decisions clean under pressure while keeping you safe changes everything.
Ethical encounters, always
Humpbacks are wild animals. Encounters are never guaranteed, and that’s the point. We don’t chase. We don’t touch. We stay calm, quiet, and coordinated so the whales choose the interaction.
Regulations and best practices exist for a reason, and local rules continue to tighten to protect whales and limit pressure in the water (including smaller guest counts).
What this means for you: the experience feels more intimate, more respectful, and ironically, often more successful than frantic “jump-in” tourism.
A Note from Founder and Expedition Leader
These expeditions are deeply personal to me.
The ocean is where I return to clarity. Where distractions fall away and what matters feels simple again. Swimming alongside humpback whales is not just something you do. It is something you carry with you long after you leave the water.
After years of leading ocean trips around the world, I built Schark Society (formerly Her Trips) around a clear standard. Small groups. Ethical interaction. Calm, capable leadership. An environment where people feel steady and confident in open water.
These expeditions are co-ed, and I remain especially committed to encouraging more women into this space. The ocean can feel intimidating. So can stepping beyond what is comfortable. I want women to feel strong here. Supported here. Fully present in their own ability.
Being in the water with whales is difficult to explain until you experience it. It feels less like observing wildlife and more like sharing space with another conscious being. There is a quiet depth to it. A stillness. A recognition that makes sense only when you are there.
The first time I swam with humpbacks, something shifted in me. It changed how I move through uncertainty and how I trust myself in unfamiliar environments.
My hope is that you leave this expedition not only with memories, but with clarity about what truly matters to you.
Schark Society isn’t about escaping your life.
It’s about returning home clearer, steadier, more self-aware, and confident in what you want next.
Charyse Schark
This is for you if…
You want a high-trust, small-group experience (not a crowded boat vibe).
You can swim confidently and are comfortable in open water.
You care about doing this ethically, even if that means waiting, observing, and earning the moment.
You want photos you’ll keep for life, and you want the trip led by someone who understands both ocean behavior and visual storytelling.
This is not for you if…
You need guarantees.
You want to chase wildlife for content.
You prefer a “tour guide” energy over an expedition leader.
You want a spa-like retreat.
Where you’ll be staying
Our home base for the week is a beachfront property in Temae, Moorea, just steps from the ocean with mountain views behind us. The setting is quiet and surrounded by nature, with direct beach access so we can swim, snorkel, or sit by the water whenever we want.
We will stay across three villas on the property, and each guest will have their own private room. There are shared kitchens and living spaces where we gather in the mornings before heading out and unwind together after long days on the water.
We chose this over a resort intentionally. Staying together creates a more personal and connected experience while still allowing everyone space to reset. It feels relaxed and connected to the environment, while supporting the focus of the week and giving everyone room to breathe.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is an integrated part of the expedition.
With over eight years of experience documenting ocean wildlife, I approach underwater imagery with patience and technical awareness. The priority is always marine behavior and safety. When conditions align, I capture authentic whale encounters as they naturally unfold. While whale images can never be guaranteed, if the moment presents itself, it will be documented.
Each guest receives access to a professionally edited gallery of images from the week. All delivered photographs are fully edited and curated.
In addition to wildlife documentation, we will spend time creating intentional underwater and ocean imagery. These sessions are designed for those who would like refined images for personal use or social media, captured in calm, controlled conditions.
Not included
Airfare
Transport not listed
Gratuity for Captain and Guide (Recommended)
Personal Snacks and Drinks
Extra Curricular Activities
Travel/Medical Insurance (Required)
Dinners
Accommodation outside expedition dates
What’s included
5 days on the water: 3 full days (typically 6–8 hours/day) and two half days (typically 4 hours/day) with a small group
7 night/6 day accommodation and built-in community time.
An experienced captain and local guide
Daily briefings: ocean conditions, whale behavior, entry/exit strategy, safety rules
Photo guidance (optional workshop) + underwater photo capture (details below)
Continental breakfast and lunch
Welcome Dinner
Digital copies of photos from the expedition
Transport to and from boat, as well as ferry pick up and drop off.
Optional add-ons: private room upgrade (limited), additional photo delivery options, and private trip requests.
Itinerary
Arrival Day
Arrive to the house, settle in, and we’ll do a full briefing: boat flow, water etiquette, safety, and what to expect in real encounters over a welcome dinner.
Swim Days (5 days on the water)
Early start. We search patiently, read behavior, and enter as a coordinated group when the moment is right. Some swims are close. Some are long. Some are pure observation. All of it is the work, and the reward.
Evenings
Reset, review footage/photos, share the day, and eat dinner. Community is part of the design.
Departure Day
We coordinate ferry timing and departures based on flights.
Getting there
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS TO GET TO TAHITI: (recommended)
1. Use Kayak- Check flights to Tahiti (PPT), do +/- 3 days so that it will give you all available options for
the best price.
2. Time/Date: Make sure the times/dates correspond. There may be a large time change.
Important:
Moorea is a 30-minute ferry from Tahiti. Airport transfers and ferry coordination are included. Ferries operate from early morning through late afternoon. Late arrivals into Tahiti or early departures from PPT may require an overnight stay on Tahiti at your own expense.
*Most important takeaway: Arrive anytime before 3 pm in Tahiti, and don’t depart too early on your departure day.
More Questions?
Ready to Book?
Testimonials
“Thank you for everything, Charyse!! What an amazing experience you helped to make...”
— Katie“…I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the wild week with you. So much gratitude for her trips.”
— Maggie“It was life changing... I took hundreds of pictures with my eyes…I hope those memories never leave.”
— Malia