Captain Heifara Dutertre is the owner and founder of Moorea Boat Tours and our private guide for today’s water experiences.  Together with his wife Nani, they run a small local family owned and operated business. They share their first-hand knowledge on an intimate and educational day tour for my small groups.

Here, he stands on a sandbar in waist deep water handfeeding graceful stringrays. As you wade in beside him, they will glide past and lightly brush up against you like silent gray ghosts in the water. Heifara will be happy to show you how to safely pet their soft velvety surface.

Heifara was born and raised on the island of Moorea and is very experienced with the resident marine life. He knows the best locations for snorkeling with tropical fish, black tip shark and gray reef sharks. He can take us out to meet spinner dolphins in the passes of the barrier reef and encounter humpback whales in season (July-November). Nani and Heifara will also let you know if there is an opportunity to slip over the side of the boat into the water with dolphins or whales for a more personal encounter. of course, it will be from a respectful and safe distance for both marine life and humans.

I also request a stop at a tiny offshore  islet, Motu Moea, for a little break and lunch at my favorite beach bar La Plage. This tiny open-air restaurant serves Tahitian and French cuisine.  Note that La Plage literally translates as “The Beach” and that it is only accessible by boat, only for lunch and only on certain days of the week. I know the owner and this is the way he likes it. Anyway, we have time to enjoy good food, good company and relax on the sand before we head back.