What to expect

Our Humpback whale swim trips start on July 1, to coincide with the arrival of the whales, who are visiting the tropical waters of Tonga for their mating and breeding season.

The season starts to wind down in October, as the Humpback whales begin their return journey to their feeding grounds in Antartica.

Our whale swim trip is a full day excursion leaving Faua wharf in Nuku’alofa at around 8.30am. We will spend the day looking for opportunities to watch and snorkel with the Humpback whales.

Each day out on the water is unique and our belief in mutual encounters, where the whales are respected and comfortable, often allows for longer more magical interactions.

However, nothing can be guaranteed in the wild! So, if you have a chance to do more days, then we very highly recommend that, to give you a greater chance to truly experience the magic of the ocean and the humpback whales.

After spending the morning looking for opportunities to swim, lunch will be enjoyed either on, or near, a beautiful remote island. After lunch, if time permits, we can try for one final interaction before heading home.

We arrive back at Faua Wharf between 3pm- 3.30pm

WHY TAHI TONGA:

• Our belief in mutual interactions often leads to longer more magical encounters.
• We only allow 2 swim groups on board, meaning you get a greater chance to swim, somedays even multiple chances.
• Our full day trips mean more time to find those special whale/s.
• All going well we will spend our lunch break on a picture-perfect tropical island.
• Our commitment to an environmentally friendly and ethical approach.
• Our trips are run out of a NZ built hard top, offering you shelter from the elements when you need it!
• Our team! We are here to help! With easy and open communication, our experienced team will take care of you from enquiry through to your special time out on the water.

INCLUSIONS:

• Water. Please bring your own bottle to refill from our refillable Tonga Water.
• Morning Tea. Locally baked cake or cookies and the offer of a hot drink.
• Lunch. This varies but normally includes a filled roll, local fruit and a coconut.
• Our commitment to reducing single use plastic, and sourcing locally grown produce.
• Snorkelling gear. This includes a 2.5mm Springsuit, flippers, snorkel and mask.

Swimming with the whales is done with flippers/fins and a mask and snorkel, in the open ocean. You will need to be able to swim using this equipment and able to climb a ladder to get back onto the boat. Ocean conditions can range from very calm to swells and wind chop.

You can only swim with whales in Tonga with a fully licensed operator. Only 4 swimmers are permitted in the water at a time and must be accompanied by a qualified guide. Tahi Tonga takes a maximum of 2 swim groups per trip. Swimming with the whales in Tonga is regulated, and Tahi Tonga requires all guests to respect and abide by those regulations.