Swimming with Humpback Whales in Vava’u Tonga – 2025
Island Adventure
Swimming with Humpback Whales in Vava’u Tonga – 2025
Every year humpback whales migrate to Tonga to give birth in the tropical waters of Vava’u and Ha’apai. The warm waters provide a safe environment for the new-born calves.
Experienced guides and crew will help us locate and observe these gentle giants from our vessel and in the water. We will take to the water in groups of 3 with a guide and experience mesmerising and lasting encounters in a respectful manner.
Each morning you will be picked up around 7a.m. at a jetty abutting your waterfront residence to spend 7 hours on the water enjoying the company of these stunning gentle giants amid a backdrop of beautiful palm-fringed shorelines, coral reefs and limestone caves. Read more about the experience in the Explorer’s Journal section of the website.
We will stay in private waterfront lodgings not far outside of Neiafu and enjoy meals at a range of local restaurants. Sundays are rest days affording an opportunity to experience the renowned Tongan choirs, catch up on editing or just adjust to “island time”.
One of many beautiful islands in the south of the Vava’u Island group
If you have a group of 6, we can accomodate you in your own private lodgings and ensure you have your own private boat for your group.
What’s included:
Boat, experienced crew and guide for 5 or 7 days on the water
Accommodation and meals during your tour dates
Photography advice and guidance in the water
Daily snorkelling on reefs or caves (including Swallows Cave and Mariner’s Cave)
Airport transfers in Vava’u
What’s not included:
Flights to and from Vava’u, accommodation outside of your scheduled trips dates and drinks at restaurants.
Flight connections: There are regular flights from Australia and from the US to Nadi, Fiji. From Fiji, it’s a two hour flight to Vava’u, Tonga. If you are interested in a kayak/camping adventure in the beautiful Yasawa Islands pre or post Tonga, let us know.
Crimson Crowned Fruit DoveSnorkelling during the lunch break
27 Aug – 6 Sep 2025, 6-17 Sep 2025 or 17-24 Sep 2025
Maximum of 6 people. US$6,900 – US$7,990 per person
Must be a confident swimmer, able to snorkel in open ocean from a boat
Day 1
Transfer from Vava’u airport to our home for the duration of this adventure. Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant and settle in before heading out in search of Humpbacks the next day unless the next day is a Sunday which are rest days in Tonga.
Tour days
We will have up to 7 hours a day on the water to observe and swim with whales except on Sunday and one rest day during the week.
Final day
Check out and return to Vava’u airport for your homeward journey.
