HUMPBACK WHALE PRE DEPARTURE INFO
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Coming soon.
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All participants should arrive at Rurutu Airport (RUR) on the start day of their trip and depart from Rurutu Airport on the end day of their trip.
Only one airline flies to RUR-- Air Tahiti (not to be confused by Air Tahiti Nui, which is a different airline). Air Tahiti flights can be booked directly from their website here. The most common departure point to Rurutu will be from Tahiti (Papeete / PPT airport), but regional flights to Tubuai and Rimatara are also available a couple times a week for anyone interested in exploring more of the Austral Islands before or after their trip.
Air Tahiti is a regional airline and you should always check their website the day before your scheduled departure to make sure your flight time has not changed, as this has happened in the past, with some flights being combined to a new time or being reassigned a departure time.
When booking international flights for this trip, you will want to fly into Papeete Airport on the main island of Tahiti. Direct international flights to Papeete (PPT) are available from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Auckland, Rarotonga, Paris, Honolulu, Noumea, and occasionally/seasonally from Tokyo, Vancouver, and Sydney. We recommend searching flights from your home airport to Papeete, Tahiti, and then booking the regional flight to Rurutu separately.
Our team will be there to meet you at the airport on your arrival in Rurutu. Airport drop offs are included at the end of the trip, we will get you (and your gear) to the airport on time, and we check your flight the day before departure to make sure no schedule changes have been made by Air Tahiti. Always check your email though, as Air Tahiti sometimes moves people between flights if there are two scheduled departures on the same day.
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Primary Contact Method:
Email: In case of an emergency, please contact us via email at hello@immersivexpeditions.com. This email is monitored daily to ensure prompt assistance.
Share Our Contact Information:
Family and Friends: Before your trip, please share our general contact email hello@immersivexpeditions.com with your family and friends. This ensures they can reach us if needed.
WhatsApp Contact:
WhatsApp: We recommend adding our company WhatsApp number for any urgent communication issues. To prevent this number from being easily harvested by spam bots, we have embedded it in an image below. Please ensure to add this number to your contacts before departure.
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To ensure a safe and stress-free trip, we highly recommend purchasing travel and medical insurance that covers free-diving and snorkeling, as well as medical evacuations. Proper insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances. Here are our recommendations and guidelines:
Travel and Medical Insurance:
Ensure your insurance policy covers free-diving and snorkeling activities. This is crucial for any medical emergencies or accidents that may occur during your trip.
Medical evacuation coverage is essential. In remote locations, evacuation can be costly and complicated without proper insurance.
Recommended Insurance Providers:
We suggest sticking with big, reputable insurance companies with a proven history of reimbursement and efficient claims handling. Specifically, we recommend:
American Express
Allianz
Avoiding Unreliable Providers:
Be cautious about using cheap online insurance providers that lack reviews or have negative feedback regarding claims handling. You may face difficulties getting reimbursed if something goes wrong.
Cancellation Coverage:
If you think you might have to cancel your participation, consider purchasing "cancel for any reason" insurance. This type of insurance provides more flexibility and coverage compared to standard policies, which typically only cover cancellations for medical reasons.
Always read the fine print of your insurance policy to understand what is covered and any exclusions or limitations.
Key Points to Remember:
Verify Coverage: Confirm that your policy covers all planned activities and potential risks.
Read Reviews: Check reviews and feedback about the insurance provider’s claims handling process.
Understand Policy Terms: Be aware of the terms and conditions, including coverage limits and exclusions.
Expensive Camera Gear:
If you plan to bring expensive camera gear, please take note of the following:
Insurance Coverage:
Renters insurance generally covers your gear if it gets stolen. However, you should verify whether it also covers damage. Additional insurance might be necessary for comprehensive protection.
Specialized Insurance:
The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) extends its insurance policy to members, which can be an excellent option for those with professional-grade equipment.
To mitigate risks, bring a vacuum pump and diligently check for potential leaks in your camera housing. This can help protect your equipment from water damage.