RURUTU - RAIE MANTA CLUB - DIVING CENTERS

Australes archipelago

Every year at the South Pole, as the austral winter settles in and ice forms, krill (the small shrimp whales feed upon) becomes scarcer, triggering the whales’ great departure...

(1) - (2) : Excursion

The guide’s job is to respect the animals and to ensure above all that they are neither stressed nor disturbed. It has been noted that whales go through phases of somnolence, during which they are motionless. It will be during these phases that your guide will let you slip as quietly as possible into the water, using only flippers and snorkelling equipment. You will then witness a fascinating and unforgettable sight.

During the active phases of the whales, observation will take place from the boat where you will be able to photograph at will the leaps and other aerial demonstrations of our acrobats... This activity is open to all, requires no particular diving experience or physical condition and will enable you to combine surface observation and underwater encounter with the whales.

Throughout the world, we are the only ones to offer this quality of observation, combining the know-how and experience of your guide, the transparency of the water and the coastal nearness of the cetaceans. Our team works closely with photographers, filmmakers and television crews from all over the world ( France, Belgium, Japan, United States, Italy…).

-surface and underwater snorkelling observation of humpback whales

Hotel **Le Rurutu Lodge- Tel/fax : (689) 940 215 - Fax : (689) 930 330

Pension Ariana : Tel : (689) 940 669 - Fax : (689) 940 714

Manotel : Tel/fax : (689) 930 225 – manotel@mail.pf

Pension Temarama : Tel (689) 930 280 – Fax : (689) 930 281

!! We recommend very early accommodation and flight reservations.

Tel : ( 689) 968.480 - Cell phone : (689) 723.145 - Fax : (689) 968.560






RURUTU


Australes archipelago
Australes archipelago













	Rurutu humpback whale watching (Megaptera novaeangliae):

	Every year at the South Pole, as the austral winter settles in and ice forms, krill (the small shrimp whales feed upon) becomes scarcer, triggering the whales’ great departure... This migration to warmer waters will last a month for an estimated 5 to 6 000 km. The humpback whales will spend 3 to 4 months there, during which the males will search for mates and gestating females will give birth The calm waters of Rurutu, part of the Austral Islands, appeal to certain whales in search of a tranquil environment. The mothers may stay there several weeks with their newborns before resuming their travel back to Antarctica.











MAP OF RURUTU			For 13 years now, in Rurutu, the Raie Manta Club has been coordinating trips around the island
			from mid-July to mid-October to discover these sea giants. Your guide, Eric Leborgne will take you
(1) - (2) : Excursion			on a unique and extraordinary journey.
departures
(3) Hotel Rurutu Village			" As a cetacean expert I wish to raise the public’s awareness of these animals, too often neglected
			relics of our past. . "

			The guide’s job is to respect the animals and to ensure above all that they are neither stressed nor disturbed. It has been noted that whales go through phases of somnolence, during which they are motionless. It will be during these phases that your guide will let you slip as quietly as possible into the water, using only flippers and snorkelling equipment. You will then witness a fascinating and unforgettable sight.



	Eric Leborgne
	Bees 1

		DIVING PROGRAMS

	During the active phases of the whales, observation will take place from the boat where you will be able to photograph at will the leaps and other aerial demonstrations of our acrobats... This activity is open to all, requires no particular diving experience or physical condition and will enable you to combine surface observation and underwater encounter with the whales. Throughout the world, we are the only ones to offer this quality of observation, combining the know-how and experience of your guide, the transparency of the water and the coastal nearness of the cetaceans. Our team works closely with photographers, filmmakers and television crews from all over the world ( France, Belgium, Japan, United States, Italy…).










Minke whale	-surface and underwater snorkelling observation of humpback whales

			-film shooting

			- Private boat



			In the course of our trips, certain species of cetaceans have been seen around the island:
			sperm whales, Minke whales, Rudolphi’s whales, pilot whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales,
	False killer whales		false killer whales, long-beaked dolphins, Risso’s dolphins….


			EQUIPMENT

	The complete diving equipment (flippers, dive mask, snorkel and full 3 mm wetsuit) and slickers
	are available on board.
	Our boat is a« poti marara »: a 27 foot locally manufactured boat with a turbo-diesel 200 CV engine.

	We highly recommend bringing sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen, as well as warm and wind breaking
	clothes.
	In this season the sea may be choppy; we recommend that people prone to seasickness bring
	the appropriate medication.



			RATES 2009

			Whale sighting trip : 11 000 cfp (92 euros)
			(including transportation from your hotel and equipment. Duration: approximately 2-1/2 H.)

			We accept payment in cash, local checks, euros, dollars and traveller’s checks.

			!! We do not accept credit cards. A bank with an ATM is available in the village of Moerai.


			BOOKING :	Tel: (689) 968 480	Fax : (689) 968 560

			Since the available seats on the boat are limited, booking must be made in advance.

			We are available for any futher information :
More information
about :








			ACCOMMODATION

	Hotel **Le Rurutu Lodge- Tel/fax : (689) 940 215 - Fax : (689) 930 330
	rurutulodge@mail.pf

	Pension Ariana : Tel : (689) 940 669 - Fax : (689) 940 714

	Manotel : Tel/fax : (689) 930 225 – manotel@mail.pf

	Pension Temarama : Tel (689) 930 280 – Fax : (689) 930 281

	!! We recommend very early accommodation and flight reservations.





All pictures by :			RAIE MANTA CLUB
Eric Leborgne		BP 55 Avatoru - 98775 RANGIROA - French Polynesia.
		Tel : ( 689) 968.480 - Cell phone : (689) 723.145 - Fax : (689) 968.560