14 nights/ 3 whale swims/10 dives Tonga/Fiji soft coral deal from US$6,395 pp
14 nights/ 3 whale swims/10 dives Tonga/Fiji sharks deal from US$ 5,989 pp
Swim with Tonga's Gentle Giants
Book an Ocean Experience you will never forget
Every year, between July and October, something extraordinary happens in the warm waters of the Vavau'u and Ha'apai archipelagoes. The humpback whales arrive.
After a 5,000 kilometre journey from their Antarctic feeding grounds, these gentle majestic mammals return to the heart of the South Pacific, the Kingdom of Tonga, to breed, give birth and nurture their new born calves. And you are invited to join them - not from the deck of a boat, but in the calm blue warm waters, face to face.
Why choose Tonga for whale swims?
Tonga offers something no other whale destination can match : crystal - clear visibility, calm protected waters, and one of the world's only legal opportunities to swim with humpback whales. This is NOT a whale watch. It is an encounter.
Here, the water is warm. The lagoons are sheltered. And the whales - particularly the curious calves and their attentive mothers - are known to approach swimmers with remarkable trust.
There is simply. nowhere else on earth quite like it.
Experience the beauty of swimming with humpback whales
Entering the water with a humpback whale in an encounter with the sublime.
You are immediately dwarfed by an animal the size of a bus, yet its movements are impossibly graceful. The defining moment is the eye contact; a large knowing eye meets yours, and you feel a profound shift.
The whales operate with immense power and absolute precision. A 50 tonne body will glide past you, adjusting its course with a flicker of a movement, enveloping you in a gentle pressure wave.
The Blue Lagoon Resort - Vava'u 7 nights Package
The Blue Lagoon offers a unique blend of untouched natural beauty and heartfelt family hospitality, creating an unforgettable island escape. This intimate, traditionally constructed resort, on the small island of Foiata, is enswathed by a stunning turquoise lagoon. Accommodation is made from local materials with incredible views of the lagoon allowing you to get 'back to nature', disconnect and soak in the stunning views and the sounds of the ocean.
Blue Lagoon Resort Package
US$ 3,310 per person (twin share)
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7 nights accommodation in 1 bedroom 'Fale'
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Return transfers from Vavva'u Airport
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3 days of swimming with humpback whales
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All meals - breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner - including tea, coffee and filtered water
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Triple share in 2 bedroom 'Fale' available at US$ 3,198 per person
The Magic of Swimming with the Whales
What makes it special
25 - 28°C water
40 metre plus visibility
Calf season
Licensed Operators Only
Why it matters
No thick wetsuits needed. Comfortable, extended swims without hoods and gloves
You'll see the whales coming. Clear photos and unforgettable moments
Curious juveniles often initiate the encounters themselves
Strict protocols protect whales AND guarantee quality
How the Whale Swims Work
The day starts early. You'll be on the water around 8 am, scanning the horizon with your skipper. Then the first blow of white spray appears. Then another. Your heart rate lifts.
When a pod is located and conditions are right, the boat idles at a respectful distance. Your guide gives a briefing. Mask on, snorkel on, slide into the water.
And then. Silence. Just your breathing and the deep, resonant song that vibrates through your chest. Below you, a mother rests while her calf performs aerial acrobatics. Sometimes they swim towards you. Sometimes they simply allow you to exist alongside them, a quiet witness to one of nature's greatest migrations.
Practicalities on Whale Swimming
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Maximum four swimmers per encounter
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No chasing, no herding, no blocking their path
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Mothers and calves are never separated or pressured
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Time limits ensure whales are not stressed
Season : July to October (peak : August to September)
Duration : 7 nights recommended ( allow 3 - 4 swim days)
Fitness : Swimming comfort required - open water, no current
Getting there : Fly to Vava'u or Ha'apai via Tongatapu or direct from Nadi or Auckland
