This is the best place to see whales in the wild. With its long season and numerous whales of different types and very close proximity to town it is a great place to see whales. There is also a number of operators offering different services.
Tonga is one of 3 countries where you can swim with whales
To ensure that your experience is the best we can make it, our boat carries a maximum of 6 swimmers plus your whale watch guide and the skipper.
Our experienced skipper is responsible for getting you in the water with the whales safely and will give a safety briefing on the boat, with your guide, and will offer help and advice about swimming with the whales.
Our guide will be in the water with you - only 4 swimmers are allowed in the water at once. Our small group sizes ensure that you have the maximum opportunity to swim.
Standard Whale swim Package:
3/4/5 days Whale watching/swimming
6 night twin share standard accommodation.
(Harborview Resort, Vavau Villa)
We will also tailor packages to suit you. Just choose the number of days whale watching, and the number of nights accommodation you would like and we will create a package for you. We are also happy to arrange additional activities like sport fishing and snorkelling trips.
This is the only tour you will find with an Award Winning and renowned Photographer - Douglas J Hoffman. With 4 years experience photographing whales in Tonga, small groups and a huge resource to tap for amazing photography whether your an amateur or professional you will gain valuable insight into whales and photography.
Tonga Deep Sea Expedition - January 2010
I have heard a lot of stories from fisherman about seeing Sperm Whales, Whale sharks, bait balls, and schooling tuna during the month of January. It seems a lot of marine life moves through the deep water off Vavau. So, I decided to find out for myself what is out there. I am teaming up with Dive Vavau, Dolphin Diving of Vavau, Tonga, and McCoy Travel Agency to spend 10 days out on the water with video and cameras looking for action.
Well known professional marine photographer Mark Strickland and I will be co-hosting an exclusive 10-night trip in Tonga aboard the renowned live-aboard vessel Nai’a, September 10-20, 2010. This special, limited-load (12 people vs. 16) trip will be dedicated to observing, photographing and especially swimming with the large population of Humpback Whales that visit these islands every year to mate and give birth. The Nai’a has two 30 ft. tenders, providing ample space for 6 passengers plus guides in each boat. This way we can rotate two small groups in and out of the water from each boat, to ensure the most time in the water for every participant.
PLEASE NOTE: OUR COMMITMENT DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING FOR THIS TRIP. If you wish to come, please don’t delay - DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED BY DECEMBER 1, 2009. Sorry about the short notice, but there are only a few trips in Tonga each year, and we have to either commit to these dates or make them available for someone else.
Tonga Land Based Whale Expedition - Sept. 21-30, 2010
For the fifth year in a row, I am organizing a nine day adventure in Vavau, Tonga to swim with, photograph and video Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales. This experience is limited to a small group, so each person gets the experience of a lifetime. Just because its legal does not mean swimming with whales is easy. The fact is whales are wild and not on anyone's time schedule. They can come or go as they see fit, and all encounters are on their terms. For the safety of the whales, and fairness to others, several protocols need to be followed.
Shark Dive - Fiji
Depending on the length of your vacation plans, there is an option to add a few days of shark diving in Pacific Harbor Fiji before or after the Vavau trip. Participants will be met at either the Nadi or Suva airports and driven to Pacific Harbor where they will spend 3 nights at the Uprising resort and two days of shark diving with Beqa Adventure Divers.
Operating tours with licenced Whale Watching operators
Beluga Diving Ltd
Fungamisi,
Neiafu
Vava'u.
Kingdom of Tonga
phone/fax + 676 70327
VHF Ch 09, www.belugadivingvavau.com
Phone and Fax (676) 70 327 or (676) 71 115
E-mail beluga@kalianet.to
MV GLADIATOR, a 34-ft Catamaran aluminium boat with a cabin that has Twin 100 h/p 4 stroke Yamaha engines and this boat can take up to 12 comfortably and travels at 25 knots and MAD MAX: is our runabout boat and can take up to 8 comfortably and travels at 19 knots.
See these magnificent creatures in Paradise - come aboard with Beluga and their team of trained professionals.
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Sailing Safaris offers daily whale-watching excursions from May to November aboard the Famous "WhaleSong" (up to 26 people), a customised whale-watching boat. Three speedboats, "Fluke I" (upto 4 people) and "Fluke II" (upto 4 people), and "Spyhop" (upto 10 people) are also available for charter and are particularly suited for photography expeditions. All boats are set up with a hydrophone to enable all aboard to hear the amazing sound of the whales underwater. Established 1992.
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Endangered Encounters Ltd
Phone: +676 70 991 or +676 751 2929 or +676 751 2991 or +676 887 8390 or in the USA (619) 729-8861
Come and enjoy the ultimate Whale Watching adventure aboard"Proteus" With twin 250hp engines finding whales in crystal clear secluded waters only takes minutes.
Proteus comes equipped with a well qualified skipper and crew. Toilet and shower room. Camera tank and fresh water rinse. Lunch, snack and beverages provided.
Why choose us? "Because we Care about your once in a lifetime experience."
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Vava'u, in the Kingdom of Tonga, offers a vast array of year round diving for all levels and experiences. With our high speed boat most of the dive sites are within a 20 minute ride, enabling us to spend more time underwater (Nitrox UW photo and video) and see the beauty of the islands.
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Trusted by the BBC, Getaway TV and TVNZ, Dolphin Pacific Diving provides high quality whalewatch tours without harassment of these amazing animals.
Refreshments, lunch and all equipment is provided including wetsuit vests to provide extra warmth in the water.
We look forward to you joining us for a once in a life time trip . Please contact the e-mail above for a personal quote and more information.
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Kiwi Magic
Phone and Fax (676) 70 441
E-mail kiwifish@kalianet.to
PO Box 153, Neiafu
The awe-inspiring experience of whale-watching in Vava'u can be enjoyed aboard the 34-foot game fishing boat "Kiwi Magic".
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Eco-friendly day excursions aboard 8.5m purpose-built MV Tropic Bird: Overhead bimini, comfortable seating, unobstructed views, boarding ladder, "head" (toilet), hydrophone (for listening to whale song), full safety equipment. Complimentary transfers, beverages, snacks, snorkelling gear (for use when not in the vicinity of the whales). Naturalist guides, in-depth interpretation. Trips depart from the Adventure Centre in Toula village, 2km south of Neiafu. Anchorage/ resort rendezvous by prior arrangement.
Whale watching (full day) T$225 per person
Snorkelling (full day) T$85 per person.
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Whale Swim Adventures www.whaleswim.com
Phone (676) 12 730 (July-October) or (64) 9 811 8096 (New Zealand Head Office, October-July)
E-mail rae@whaleswim.com
PO Bag 49, Neiafu
WhaleSwim Adventures have been operating eco-tours to swim with the humpback whales in Vava’u since 1999 and we offer a variety of 3, 7 & 9 day privately-chartered tours, including the best accommodation in Vava’u, meals, education, transfers and much more.
Our WhaleSwim team are dedicated conservationists and environmentalists we carry out research and educational activities as well as record the haunting song of the humpback whales onboard each day during the whale season. (Recordings are available for guests). Join a group of like-minded people it’s much more fun!!
Our tours range from a 3-day WhaleSwim’s at AUD$1500 per person twin share which includes 3 night’s accommodation, transfers to/from accommodation, meals, education & guidance in the water to our fantastic all-inclusive 7 & 9-day packages staying out in beautiful paradise islands in the whale nursery start at AUD$3,700 per person twin share! Special photography tours are also available. (We also have 10 years experience in hosting film crews for documentaries and travel programs.)
See our website for great video clips and in-depth information about who we are and what makes us different! Come celebrate our 10th Birthday with the humpback whales!
Operating tours with licenced Whale Watching operators
Whale Watch Vava'u
Phones +676 8866403 and +676 7754331.
E-mail mounuislandvavau@gmail.com
VHF 77
PO Box 7, Neiafu
Mounu Island Resort has two purpose built whale-watching vessels available for charter. "Phoenix" and "Lulutahi" are equipped with a hydrophone to listen to the whales, as well as a viewing platform, toilet, and snorkelling equipment.
2008 AWARDS:
Voted "Best Resort in Tonga" by
World Travel Awards 2007 AWARDS:
Voted "Top 30 Island Beaches of the World" by
Conde Nast Traveller Magazine
Voted "Best Resort in Tonga" and nominated for
"Best Watersports Resort Australasia" by
World Travel Awards
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Whales In The Wild Lt offer two comfortable boats for day trips which depart at 10 am each day.
Maris King and Totally Wild are both comfortable boats and offer coverage from the sun and elements. Both are under full survey and have toilets for your convenience. Snorkel gear is provided free of charge. There is a hydrophone on board to listen to the Whale Song
On our day out we will cruise through the glorious waterways and islands of Vava’u
in search of the majestic humpback whales. If conditions are right you will be able to swim with the whales providing they are receptive to our presence.
We will not harass the whales. We try to restrict our groups to 8-10 passengers with 4 people permitted in the water at any one time with our guide.
We have had a day out described as “ The Best Day of my Life “ by an 81 year old woman.
Now, that is saying something!
licenced operator and operating
under Regulations approved by Government
Whale exclusion zone diagram
