Swimming with Humpback whales, Tonga
| country: | Tonga | ||||
| departures: | 2010: 7 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct | ||||
| price: | From AU $3,900 - AU $4,150 (7-9 days) excluding flights based on twin share. Single supplement available. See below for details. Watch a 
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| offers: | AUD$500 off our 9-day tour to Swim with Humpback Whales in Tonga, South Pacific! 1 - 11 October. Stay at island resorts in the middle of the humpback whale nursery! An unforgettable experience! Fights are extra - London via LA to Tonga with Air NZ. | ||||
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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| Holiday Details |  7 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
Swimming with Humpback whales, Tonga
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 $4,150 (7 days) ex flights (dble/twin only)
2010: 20 Aug, 07 Sep
Includes Welcome Lunch, 4 nights at Treasure Island Eu’eiki Eco Resort (out in the whale nursery) & 4 nights at Reef Resort on Kapa Island (the best resort in Vava’u!) with all meals, 6 full-days boat trips on our boat 'Makaira' out with the whales with lunch, education and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine reefs and caves, 1 day at leisure, boat transfers and airport transfers in Vava’u & interterminal transfers in Tongatapu.
Paradise Islands Experience From AU $3,900 - AU $4,100 (dble/twin) (9 days) ex flights or AU $4,600 - AU $4,850 (single)
2010: 23 Jul, 27 Aug, 01 Oct
Welcome Lunch & Farewell Dinner, 6 nights at Treasure Island Eu’eiki Eco Resort (in the middle of the whale nursery) with meals & 4 nights at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows on Utu’gnake Island (just 12 mins by taxi to Neiafu town), 7 days on the water, with lunch, education and guidance in the water with the whales, snorkeling pristine reefs and caves, 2 days at leisure, boat & airport transfers in Vava’u & inter-terminal transfers in Tongatapu.
Paradise Islands Adventure From AU $3,600 (7 days) ex flights (dble/twin) or from AU $4,200 (single)
2010: 24 Sep
Welcome Lunch & Farewell Dinner, 5 nights at Treasure Island Eu’eiki Eco Resort (in the middle of the whale nursery) with meals & 3 nights at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows with breakfast (just 12 mins m to Neiafu town), 6 days on our boat 'Makaira' out with the whales & lunch, education and guidance in the water with the whales, snorkeling pristine reefs and caves, 1 day at leisure and boat & airport transfers in Vava’u & inter-terminal transfers in Tongatapu.
traveller reviews for Swimming with Humpback whales, Tonga
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 |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
 Reviewed 10 Oct 2008 by Jenaya Bailey |  |
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. (read full review)
| Reviewed 18 Aug 2006 by Jean M. Rains | |
It was all deeply satisfying to me. I had been longing for turquoise waters, sandy beaches, coral, colorful fish, an idyll. Then, on top of all that was the amazing adventure of interacting with the whales. (read full review)
| Reviewed 23 Sep 2005 by Louise Sanderson | |
Swimming with humpback whales is a life changing experience. We were so close to them - they were so curious and gentle. (read full review)
| Reviewed 30 Sep 2007 by Deborah Marzohl | |
Getting into the water for the first time with the whales. I really didn't think that we would be so close so to see a mother and calf just hanging in the water right in front of us was truly amazing. It was an honour to be allowed to enter their world and to get just a glimpse if them in the wild. (read full review)
| Reviewed 06 Oct 2006 by Jonathan David Gulson | |
The most memorable part of the holiday was seeing Humpback Whales in their element... Some good opportunities for snorkelling and lazing on the beach. (read full review)
| Reviewed 07 Oct 2005 by Caroline Sayre | |
The most memorable and exciting part of our trip was seeing a humpback whale mother and her calf while snorkelling, for the first time. A very unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. We loved it!!! (read full review)
| Reviewed 20 Oct 2006 by Nicole Schlederer |  |
The highlight was the whale experience. I was lucky to swim with whales for 6 out of 7 scheduled days! (read full review)
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