- Under the Sea: The Beauty of Moorea -

Instructor: Mike Mezeul II

Dates: September 17-25, 2026 (6 days on the water, 8 nights)

Tuition: $10,500 (Payment plan information available below)

Group Size: 4 - 1 Spot Open!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a school bus sized humpback whale swim right by you? What about having a curious pod of dolphins come check you out? Or perhaps, black tip reef sharks casually swimming around awaiting your frame? If you have any interest in not only photographing, but experiencing what it is like to share the ocean with some of the most incredible marine life out there, I invite you to come with me to Moorea to spend several days searching for, photographing and swimming with these incredible animals.

So why come to Moorea? Well, for starters, it is one of the few places in the world where it is legal to swim with the humpback whales. The humpback whales in Moorea have traveled from the frigid waters of Antarctica to give birth to their calves in warmer waters where they are protected from predators and can build up the blubber needed to survive in colder waters. But as hard as it is to just focus on the whales, there will be plenty of other wildlife to photograph as Moorea is a beautiful sanctuary. Whales, sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays and more are all possibilites! Our time spent in the water will be snorkeling only and each day will hold a different and special memory as we take a deeper look into these beautiful creatures lives. We will come with an open mind, a respectful approach and positive attitude to see what the ocean wants to show us.

What You Will Learn:

• How to create stunning and emotional underwater wildlife imagery.

• How to discover and utilize your camera to its fullest capabilities.

• How to create a variety of scenes with multiple lenses and how to think “outside the box.”

• An understanding for light and how to take advantage of it in all conditions.

• How to bring your wildlife imagery even more to life through post-processing.

• An introduction to black and white photography for wildlife photography.

• How to pick your jaw up off the floor because you’re literally swimming with whales.

What You Will Need:

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera body.

• An underwater housing for your camera body (these are available to rent online).

• An assortment of lenses, but your primary lens will be a wide-angle. You will want a telephoto lens for any above water images.

• At least the trial version of Lightroom or Photoshop on your laptop.

• Multiple batteries and required power converters for Moorea (Type A/E).

• A valid passport and visa (if required for your country of origin).

• A wetsuit (3mm is great), fins, goggles, snorkel.

• A desire to learn, have fun, be flexible, and experience some of the most breathtaking marine wildlife in the world!

What's Included:

• Accommodations based upon double occupancy.

• Transportation between our boat and AirBNB.

• Certified local captain, French Polynesian guide and private boat.

• Welcome dinner (alcoholic beverages not included).

• Breakfast and daily lunch on the boat.

• On-hand post-production and critique sessions.

• Crew tips.

• Post-processing video set.

• Access to my brain 24/7.

A Day on the Water…

So what should you expect while out in Moorea? Let’s discuss what a day on the water looks like!

Rain or shine, we will begin our day early in the morning by meeting our boat and captain at a local dock around 6AM. We will then head out to open water in search of our first wildlife of the day. Depending on conditions, we can be seeing our first whales within just 15 minutes of leaving the dock, and plenty of other wildlife even before that. We utilize a “soft approach” on all whales. What this means is that just because we find whales, does not guarantee we will swim with them. Our captain and guide will assess the behavior of the whales, and if they seem welcoming, our guide will then go into the water first to “test the waters.” If we get the thumbs up, it’s go time! We will carefully, quietly and respectfully enter the water in an attempt to photograph our subject.

There are plenty of whales to go around, but it does take patience in finding the right whales to swim with. There are no guarantees that we will even see whales, but with Moorea being such a haven for mothers and calves, odds are in our favor. While we are looking for or observing whales, we can shoot images from the boat as whales fluke, breach and pectoral fin slap.

We will be on the water for approximately seven hours each day, so we will enjoy a lunch on the boat.

Once back on land, we will have time to download images, possibly go on a hike and go out for dinner.

Where Will We Be Staying?

We will be staying in two wonderful AirBNB’s located near our boat pickup on the northwest side of the island. Details on our specific accommodations will be released closer to the workshop as bookings are still being confirmed due to the length of time between workshop announcement and workshop dates. Accommodations will be based upon double occupancy.

During our lunch breaks, we can find a nice reef to relax at, take in the views, and hop in the water for some reef exploration.

Physical Requirements:

It is REQUIRED that you know how to swim and are confident in swimming in open water that can be choppy at times. It is recommended that you be able to swim approximately 100 meters in open water comfortably. Our daily boat rides can be on glassy water, or on rough stormy water as well, this tour is not recommended for those who have any back or neck injuries.

Getting to Moorea:

The best way to get to Moorea is flying to Tahitai(Faa’a Airport - PPT). From there, you will take a short 40-minute ferry from Tahiti to Moorea. It is highly recommended to fly into Tahiti a day early to help negate any possible travel delays. Taxi’s will be available once you arrive at Moorea to take you to our AirBNB, approximately 45 minutes away.

It is quite nice to take a day in Tahiti before your ferry to Moorea to explore the island and rest up a bit. There are quite a few hotels located rather close to Faa’a International Airport.

Tour Start & Wrap:

Our tour will start at 5PM on September 17th with our Meet & Greet at our accommodations. This will be your arrival day into Moorea and we will spend the evening getting settled in, getting to know one another, and having our welcome dinner. The following day we will have our first outing on the water!

Our workshop will wrap the morning of the 26th after breakfast.

Payment Options:

We want nothing more than you to come join us for this incredible workshop in Moorea, and that’s why we are breaking down our tuition payments into increments that we feel will make this workshop affordable for all!

Payment 1 - 25% of total tuition - Due upon registration.

Payment 2 - 25% of total tuition - Due by August 1, 2025

Payment 3 - 25% of total tuition - Due by January 1, 2025

Final Payment - 25% of total tuition - Due by May 1, 2026

*Please note: All payments are non-refundable. If you need to cancel your spot for any reason, and the spot can be filled, your payments will then be fully refunded minus any administrative fees.

Travel Insurance:

It is highly recommend to purchase travel insurance prior to our workshop to cover any possible issues that may arise including cancellations due to illness, travel delays, lost luggage, medical coverage and more. Tahiti is a place where many things can change and can affect your travel. Travel insurance can help cover these issues if they arise.

JOIN THE ADVENTURE!

*A 25% Non-refundable deposit is required to register*