Humpback Whales in Tonga

Each day we will meet our Tongan captain at the docks to head out on his boat. There will be plenty of space for your gear whether it’s wet or dry. There will be an area of shade on the boat to take shelter from the sun.

The sun here is strong so please be aware and plan accordingly.

The captain will handle boat operations and guide us to the areas with the whales. He will also ensure that both the whales, crew, and passengers are safe in the water.

You will be required to follow the captain’s instructions on the boat at all times.

If you have any preexisting conditions that may hinder your ability to be on a moving boat please inform us at sign-up.

Located near the town of Neiafu in Vava'u, our group stays in a big house. Each person might have a private room for sleeping unless coming with a friend or partner. It may be necessary for some to share a larger room depending on the dynamics of each group and the particular home. Typically we have our own dock and are located right on the water.

There will be plenty of space to relax, swim, or go for a walk in the area.

Please note: We book dual occupancy rooms. When sharing we assign rooms with group members of the same gender.

Breakfast and dinner will be home-cooked by our fantastic chef most days. A packed lunch and snacks will be provided to enjoy on the boat, or at one of the beautiful beaches on a nearby island.

We can accommodate most dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.

If you have any food allergies, intolerances, or preferences, please list them on the sign-up form.

This trip is not designed for underwater photographers. We believe in the importance of experiencing these encounters face to face, without the barrier of a camera, so that everyone can have the most immersive and respectful experience possible.

Small action cameras are welcome, though we encourage leaving them on the boat as much as possible. Most of our trip leaders are professional underwater photographers and will share photos and videos captured during the trip.

If you are an underwater photographer, we would be happy to welcome you on one of our trips in French Polynesia or Dominica.

*Occasionally, we may be joined by a photographer or filmmaker who is capturing content for educational, documentary, or conservation purposes.

The humpback whales that visit Tonga during the winter (July- October) are part of the South Pacific population of humpbacks. In the summer, they spend their time feeding around Antarctica and coming up to Tonga, Tahiti, and the South Pacific to mate, birth, and care for their young in these warmer, shallower, and protected waters.

There are few predators out here yet essentially no food, so the babies will drink their mother's milk, while the adults live off their fat reserves.

Adult humpbacks are typically 45 feet long (15 meters in length), the size of a school bus, while newborn babies are approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters).

During these months of breeding and birthing the humpbacks display a wide variety of behavior from singing, playing, battling, mating, breaching (jumping), tail slapping, and occasionally interacting with other marine mammals like spinner dolphins. They have one of the most dynamic mating competitions, which involves a female leading a group of up to 20 males on a chase. Twisting and turning, smashing heads, tails, and fins, blowing screens of bubbles, and using their speed and agility to keep up with the female.

Humpbacks are incredibly intelligent and dynamic animals. Every interaction is different. They are conscious and aware of our presence, often curious, and the babies can be playful. It is important to remember that we are in their territory. We will respect the whales and will be swimming with them by their choice.

We will be following a set of strict guidelines followed by all the licensed charter boats in Tonga, where they do a great job of protecting their whales. We will typically be five in the water at a time (the maximum is five including me and our Tongan whale guide who will accompany us), and we let the whales approach us. We move quietly and calmly so as not to disturb the animals. Everything will be on their terms. Humpback whales are extremely agile and spatially aware. They have incredible control of their bodies and will go to great lengths to avoid bumping into us.

There is plenty more to learn that we’ll have a chance to discuss on the trip.

Weather

Tonga is close to the equator so the weather is expectedly tropical. Lows are typically 72ºF (22ºC) and highs of 81ºF (27ºC), with 12 hours of daylight, during the time of our trips. Weather can be clear, cloudy, overcast, light to moderate rain, and mildly humid. Winds are typically 3-14 mph (5-22kph), but can gust up to 30 mph (48kph).

Currency

Tongan Pa’anga, referred to as TOP. Exchange rate is roughly 2 TOP : 1 USD.

There are ATM’s on Vava’u. You may want some cash on hand in order to buy extra snacks, alcohol, souvenirs, or any extracurricular activities on Sunday.

Visas

Visas are not required for citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia, and some other countries up to 30 days.

Please check https://tonga.visahq.com/ for your country in order to obtain a visa in advance.

Vaccines and Health

Please make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Please check the CDC’s website for further information here:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tonga

Your guide for this trip will be Karim Iliya.

All of our guides are professional underwater photographers or freedivers, with a passion for nature and the ocean. With multiple years of guiding experience. You can read more about our team here.

Important: Flights typically arrive /depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Sometimes there are also flights on Mondays. When using companies like companies like KAYAK & Skyscanner use +- 3 days to account for date change

If you are coming from the Americas, please note that your flight will be crossing the international date line. Please take this into account when booking your flights.

Option 1: LAX to Vava’u via Fiji (recommended)

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays typically have direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Vava’u Tonga (VAV) via Fiji (NAN) on Fiji Airways.

Check flights via Kayak / Skyscanner and see if your route will take you through Fiji.

Tips: Use the “+ (plus) or – (minus) two days” in your search to account for crossing the international date line.

Sometimes flights are cheaper if you book the legs separately.

Make sure to check the departure/arrival dates and account for international date line change (you jump forward a day on the way, and backward on the way back)