We Swam With Humpback Whales… Then Left Our Boat Behind
We’ve had some incredible experiences since moving aboard Big Lost, but this day in Moorea was one we’ll never forget.
We headed offshore hoping to find humpback whales—and what followed became one of the most extraordinary days we’ve had together as a family.
But while we were soaking in our final days in Moorea, something else was weighing on my mind.
For the first time since moving aboard Big Lost, we were preparing to leave her behind.
Before we could fly back to the States, we still had to sail to Tahiti, find a safe place for Big Lost, shut down the boat and walk away from the home we’ve lived aboard for the last two and a half years.
And then, after nearly two and a half years away, we were heading back to Idaho.
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Thanks for watching and following along as our family sails Big Lost around the world.
00:00 Once in a Lifetime
00:28 Getting Ready for the Whale Tour
01:07 Searching for Whales in Moorea
02:58 Our First Swim With Humpback Whales
06:28 Swimming With Three Humpback Whales
12:24 Swimming With a Singing Humpback
14:02 Six Hours of Whale Watching
15:12 A Mother and Calf
16:40 Grateful for This Day
17:19 Back to Everyday Boat Life
18:19 Leaving Moorea
19:55 Glassy Seas to Tahiti
21:34 Arriving in Phaeton Bay
23:22 Why We Chose Phaeton Bay
24:30 Preparing Big Lost for a Month Alone
26:13 Leaving Big Lost Behind
27:35 Back in the USA
29:00 Heading Home to Idaho
29:42 What Does “Home” Mean Now?
#SailingBigLost #FrenchPolynesia #HumpbackWhales
Sailing Big Lost
Welcome to Sailing Big Lost ⛵ Follow our family as we leave our old life behind and build a new one at sea. Sailing Big Lost shares the real, unfiltered journey of learning, risking, and growing together aboard our sailing catamaran. From major life decisions and hard lessons to unforgettable places and everyday moments with kids, we show what full-time family cruising actually looks like — the beauty, the chaos, and everything in between. This isn’t just about sailing. It’s about choosing a different life and seeing where it leads. Want to follow along more closely or support the journey? 🌍 Website: https://www.sailingbiglost.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingbiglost 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sailingbiglost ❤️ Support the journey on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Biglost ⛵ Family sailing • Life aboard a catamaran • Cruising adventures
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