Once in a lifetime
Once in a lifetime
Tonga is the last monarchy in the South Pacific.
It is also where southern humpback whales come every year. You should too.
Creatures of the Deep
From June to November, the whales leave the cold south and shelter in Tonga’s warm water. Mothers give birth here, mate here and nurse their calves here. A calf drinks about 500 litres of milk a day, made from fat its mother stored in the south before the journey north. By the end of the season, the calf is strong enough to swim back to Antarctica.
Pick the package that suits your pace. Some people want every moment on the water, and some want to take it slower. We have both.
Your skipper and whale guides have 20 years of experience working together. Each charter has only two swim groups, so you spend less time waiting and more time in the water with the whales.
If you want it all taken care of, the all-inclusive package looks after the trip from start to finish.
5 day
$TOP POA
Per Person- Whale Swim & Whale Watching Trips.
- Wetsuit & beach towel provided.
- Snorkel gear & fins provided.
- Includes lunch, water & snacks.
- Includes transfers.
All-inclusive
$TOP POA
Per Person- 7 Nights in a Superior Room.
- Buffet Breakfast and WIFI.
- 5 Day Whale Swim.
- Dinner for 5 nights.
- Return airport transport.
For more information, or to book - fill out the contact form and one of our experienced team members will get in contact with you.
All year round expeditions
FAQs
Where do these trips take place?
These trips take place in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
What should I expect out on the ocean?
The weather can be flat calm or you can have rough seas and everything in between — it’s the ocean, after all. We go out to sea as long as our captain says it’s safe. You should expect to be out on the boat all day; we don’t come back to dock unless there is an emergency on board. The water temp is roughly 77°F (25°C), and you will want to bring a boating jacket for wind protection. The whales visit Tonga outside of cyclone season, so there is no concern regarding cyclones.
Are whales always visible during trips?
- Well, it’s the ocean, so you never know, we can’t guarantee anything. However, these trips are scheduled during the peak season to optimize the chance of great encounters. We are quite confident that you will get in the water with the whales.
- Swimming with the whales is a craft. Knowledge and respect for these animals go hand-in-hand to create a good encounter. Being able to read the whales, how comfortable they are, and giving them space when they need it — we implement many tactics borne of experience to help ensure long, safe, and fun encounters for our guests and the whales
- All our guides and skippers are local to Tongatapu and are great watermen, with years of on- and in-water experience in local waters. They’re a great team with high respect and regard within the community and industry, Bottom line…they know what they’re doing, and they are good at it!
Do I need to be an experienced diver?
- The humpback whale trips are snorkelling only; There is no need for freediving experience or a diving certification as most of the whale encounters happen at the surface.
- These encounters are quite intimate and special. We work as a group when in the water, and we stay close to one another, making sure we don’t spook the whales or cause them any stress. You will see on your tour that every encounter is different, and some whales will be much more interactive than others.
- There is a lot of respect for the whales and for these in-water encounters with them in Tonga. Another boat will never come and jump in on your whale encounter. If a boat is with a whale, it’s their whale until they sign off to another boat, if there is one in the area.
Do I need to stay at Tanoa Hotels to go on Tanoa Expeditions?
No, you don’t need to stay at Tanoa Hotels to enjoy Tanoa Expeditions. Everyone is welcome to experience the adventure!
