Swimming with Humpback whales, Tonga
| country: | Tonga |
| departures: | 2010: 24 Jul, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct |
| price: | From AU $3360 - AU $4300 (7-9 days) excluding flights based on twin share. Single supplement available. See below for details. Watch a  |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 7 travellers reviews
"This trip sounds like a dream; a beautiful island paradise where whales leap in the turquoise waters. Swimming with Humpback whales would possibly be the greatest thrill of my life; I get goose bumps just imagining it! To be eye to eye with a whale as it twists gracefully in the water would be an unbelievably beautiful experience which would last with me forever."
- Lisa, responsibletravel.com
- Lisa, responsibletravel.com
the amazing things you'll be doing
Each winter, the spectacular South Pacific Humpback whales migrate to the sparkling clear waters of the idyllic islands of Vava'u, Tonga from the feeding grounds in Antarctica's icy seas to mate and give birth. Join us for an awe-inspiring opportunity to be in the beautiful crystal clear water with the humpbacks, snorkelling quietly next to mothers, newborn calves and male 'escorts', hearing their beautiful, haunting songs as you gaze into their eyes in the water. Feel the exchange of trust of a humpback mother as she allows her calf to swim and twirl next to you under water.
Whales in Paradise From AU $3900 - AU $4250 (9 days) ex flights (dble/twin only)
2009: 21 Aug, 02 Oct
2010: 20 Aug, 17 Sep
Join us for an awe-inspiring opportunity to be in the beautiful crystal clear water with the humpbacks, snorkeling quietly next to mothers, newborn calves and male 'escorts', hearing their beautiful, haunting songs as you gaze into their eyes in the water. Feel the exchange of trust of a humpback mother as she allows her calf to swim and twirl next to you under water.
We spend the first 4 nights at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows on a private white sandy beach & turquoise sea – just a 15min taxi ride to town plus 4 nights at the new luxurious Reef Resort on Kapa Island on the edge of a coral garden. The fresh eclectic food served at Reef is the best in Vava’u . Staying out among the islands, gives this expedition a feeling that you are truly in an untouched paradise and chances are that the whales may come to play just off the beach!
Our skipper, Kam will pick us up 6 of the 7 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira. Kam's love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the 'leisure days' you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, have a lobster lunch in town, shop for local handicraft or chill-out on the beach or you own private deck!
Paradise Islands Experience From AU $3900 - AU $4300 (dble/twin) (9 days) ex flights or AU $4700 - AU $5200 (single)
2009: 24 Jul, 04 Sep
2010: 24 Jul, 27 Aug, 01 Oct
We spend the first night and the last night at Hilltop Hotel, overlooking the beautiful harbours of Neiafu just a short walk to the market, cafes, restaurants where you can experience the local way of life. You then head out to the paradise island of Eu’eiki for 45 nights. This island is picture postcard perfect and the resort is traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms and the restaurant is on the white sandy beach overlooking the beautiful turquoise sea. There is one of the best snorkeling reefs right off the beach and on some days watch the whales as they play!
The next 3 nights are on the island of Foeata to the Blue Lagoon Resort right in the middle of the humpback whale nursery. At Blue lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef. This unique resort overlooks the blue lagoon and beyond the reef - the whales play.
Our skippers, Kampeli, will pick us up 7 of the 9 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira. His love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the 2 'leisure days' you can go on an island tour in great little go-karts, sail around the harbour, outrigger canoeing around the beautiful islands, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock!
Paradise Islands Adventure From AU $3360 - AU $3990 (7 days) ex flights (dble/twin) or from AU $3750 - AU $4580 (single)
2009: 07 Aug, 28 Aug, 25 Sep
2010: 24 Sep
We have 2 different itineraries for this tour – the first tour has 5 nights at Twin View Motel (apartment accommodation) and spend 3 nights at Blue lagoon resort in the Humpback whale 'nursery' on beautiful Foeata Island. All the fales on Foeata Island are traditional (on the outside!) and have queen beds with mosquito nets a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom all feature inspiring views of the crystal clear, turquoise waters of lagoon. At Blue Lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef. This unique resort overlooks the beautiful turquoise lagoon and beyond the reef - the whales play.
The 3rd tour includes 1 night at Hilltop Hotel, 4 nights on the exquisite island of Eu’eiki at the eco resort – a picture postcard tropical island – traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms, great food and a superb snorkeling reef right off the beach. The last 3 nights are at Blue Lagoon Resort on Foeata Island.
Our skipper, Kampeli will pick us up 6 of the 6 or 7 days to go out to snorkel with the Humpback whales, on our whale-watching boat, Makaira. Kam's love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. He is a skilled dive master and skipper also. On the 'leisure days' you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock!
Whales in Paradise From AU $3900 - AU $4250 (9 days) ex flights (dble/twin only)
2009: 21 Aug, 02 Oct
2010: 20 Aug, 17 Sep
Join us for an awe-inspiring opportunity to be in the beautiful crystal clear water with the humpbacks, snorkeling quietly next to mothers, newborn calves and male 'escorts', hearing their beautiful, haunting songs as you gaze into their eyes in the water. Feel the exchange of trust of a humpback mother as she allows her calf to swim and twirl next to you under water. We spend the first 4 nights at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows on a private white sandy beach & turquoise sea – just a 15min taxi ride to town plus 4 nights at the new luxurious Reef Resort on Kapa Island on the edge of a coral garden. The fresh eclectic food served at Reef is the best in Vava’u . Staying out among the islands, gives this expedition a feeling that you are truly in an untouched paradise and chances are that the whales may come to play just off the beach!
Our skipper, Kam will pick us up 6 of the 7 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira. Kam's love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the 'leisure days' you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, have a lobster lunch in town, shop for local handicraft or chill-out on the beach or you own private deck!
Paradise Islands Experience From AU $3900 - AU $4300 (dble/twin) (9 days) ex flights or AU $4700 - AU $5200 (single)2009: 24 Jul, 04 Sep
2010: 24 Jul, 27 Aug, 01 Oct
We spend the first night and the last night at Hilltop Hotel, overlooking the beautiful harbours of Neiafu just a short walk to the market, cafes, restaurants where you can experience the local way of life. You then head out to the paradise island of Eu’eiki for 45 nights. This island is picture postcard perfect and the resort is traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms and the restaurant is on the white sandy beach overlooking the beautiful turquoise sea. There is one of the best snorkeling reefs right off the beach and on some days watch the whales as they play!
The next 3 nights are on the island of Foeata to the Blue Lagoon Resort right in the middle of the humpback whale nursery. At Blue lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef. This unique resort overlooks the blue lagoon and beyond the reef - the whales play.
Our skippers, Kampeli, will pick us up 7 of the 9 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira. His love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the 2 'leisure days' you can go on an island tour in great little go-karts, sail around the harbour, outrigger canoeing around the beautiful islands, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock!
Paradise Islands Adventure From AU $3360 - AU $3990 (7 days) ex flights (dble/twin) or from AU $3750 - AU $4580 (single)2009: 07 Aug, 28 Aug, 25 Sep
2010: 24 Sep
We have 2 different itineraries for this tour – the first tour has 5 nights at Twin View Motel (apartment accommodation) and spend 3 nights at Blue lagoon resort in the Humpback whale 'nursery' on beautiful Foeata Island. All the fales on Foeata Island are traditional (on the outside!) and have queen beds with mosquito nets a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom all feature inspiring views of the crystal clear, turquoise waters of lagoon. At Blue Lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef. This unique resort overlooks the beautiful turquoise lagoon and beyond the reef - the whales play.
The 3rd tour includes 1 night at Hilltop Hotel, 4 nights on the exquisite island of Eu’eiki at the eco resort – a picture postcard tropical island – traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms, great food and a superb snorkeling reef right off the beach. The last 3 nights are at Blue Lagoon Resort on Foeata Island.
Our skipper, Kampeli will pick us up 6 of the 6 or 7 days to go out to snorkel with the Humpback whales, on our whale-watching boat, Makaira. Kam's love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. He is a skilled dive master and skipper also. On the 'leisure days' you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock!
travellers' tales
Most memorable would definitely be the first time that you slip in the water and your eyes take in the huge picture in front of you that is the humpback whales. Phenomenal, breathtaking, hard to describe to anyone who has not seen it. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 There are approximately 450 Humpback whales that migrate to Tonga each year, during our days on the water, we endeavor to allow as many in-the-water encounters as possible without harassing the whales. Some days we may only witness surface activity other days we may experience in-the-water encounters, as weather and tides are believed to effect the behaviour of the whales and where they 'hang out'. We ask you to fully appreciate that to have an opportunity to swim with humpback whales is rare, very unique and a precious gift. We strictly abide by the Whale-Watching Guidelines therefore there is always only four people plus the guide in the water with the whales at one time. When whale-watching:  Cease contact at any sign of whales, particularly mothers and calves, becoming distressed or alarmed |
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