This is a limited offer trip with only 8 spaces available in the best part of the whale season when the young calves are most playful. Whale waters tonga 9 photos scuba diving center neiafu. How to swim with whales in tonga be my travel muse. Mala island, vavau tonga island resorts tongan island. Vavau is the best location for whale watching in tonga and is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whales. Vava u is the third most northern group of islands. Our days on this palmfringed island follow the rhythm of the whales and the weather. Swim with the whales in tonga with dolphin pacific diving.
If you just wanted to take a day off from fishing, kiwi magic has been associated with the whale watch industry in vavau, kingdom of tonga since 1991. One of the top spots is vavau in tonga, though other islands nearby have whales as well, and fewer tourists. Kiwi magic is a licensed whale swim operator in vavau, kingdom of tonga, one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. Whale watch vavau neiafu all you need to know before you. That said, most trips span a week with 7 hours of each day, with the exception of sundays, out on the water. We went out with them for two consecutive days, and there were several things we reacted on. The vavau island group is known to be the prettiest island group in the kingdom of tonga, and mala island is considered to be the jewel of vavau as a true private island paradise. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news. Our holiday homes offer a unique, relaxing holiday experience. On the south side of the island group, it is dissolved into many. However, the assumption that it is the only or best place to swim with whales in tonga is false. If you are going to vavau for a few days or even a year, you have come to the right place.
This guide has been put together to provide information for yachts and vessels prior and during their stay in vava u. View topquality stock photos of humpback whale calf vavau tonga. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first licence from the tongan government in 1993. New research from northern tonga is showing that tourism is disturbing the natural behaviour of humpback whales. The cluster of 50 hilly coral islands with palmfringed shorelines is separated by protected waterways teeming with life, and is home to some of the friendliest people in the kingdom of tonga. Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean.
While theres plenty of sun, sand and surf to tempt the. The warm waters surrounding vavau make ideal calving and mating grounds for the magnificent humpback whale. Vavau the whales of vavau 2019 vavau is an island group of one large island and 40 smaller islands in tonga. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993.
Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. Treasure island resort is located on eueiki island in the northern island group of vavau, tonga and is open all year around. Diving vavau diving in vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. Humpback whales are wild animals and since the boats dont feed or coax them into interactions, there are never any guarantees. Aug 11, 2016 swimming with hump back whales in vavau, tonga. We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. Vavau is the best place in tonga for the most inwater encounters with humpback whales as the majority off the tongan humpback population, mate and give birth on this latitude. Visitor facts for visiting in vava u islands, tonga.
My husband and i booked four days of whale swims with whales in the wild and i wish we had been able to do more. Limited is a tonga based company with a certified whale watching and swimming license. Widely regarded as the kingdoms number one tourist hotspot. Offering pristine beaches, untouched islands and all year round activities like diving, sailing, fishing and whale swimming. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. Swimming with whales in vavau tonga treasure island tonga. The whales of vavau, 2019 swimming with humpback whales. A surprise diving encounter with a giant humpback whale duration. Join us for an unrivaled experience in vavau, tonga, one of the worlds most pristine and unspoiled spots for whale swimming.
Sometimes a lone whale was seen, sometimes 23 whales together adults or calves. Today there are between 35 and 50 licensed whale watching vessels in tonga. Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. It has the best and most beautiful powered sand beach in all of tonga and is truly a south pacific offshore private island dream destination. Taufatahi charters is a local ecotourism business offering a chance to swim with humpback whales in the tongatapu waters. Whale waters tonga is the idea to create a world class, self sufficient eco dive retreat, focusing on scuba diving, free diving, yoga, meditation and. Now, when it comes to swimming with whales in tonga, most people assume you need to head up north to vavau. Kirsty bowe owns a whale swimming business in tongas vavau group of. Snorkeling with humpback whales in tonga scuba diver life. This amazing footage from our 2012 archive shows what its like to go whale swimming in vavau. Based at fangafoa marina just a five minute walk from the centre of neiafu town, beluga diving offers a range of exciting dive tours and padi dive courses, and now has a whale watch license. Tonga to limit number of tourists swimming with whales each year. Humpback whales, vavau, tonga art print by eschlogl redbubble.
A large population of humpback whales gathers around vavau islands in tonga between july and october. From july october each year, the humpback whales migrate from antartica to the warmer waters of tonga. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. Pat and keith mckee, expat new zealanders, with their vessel kiwi magic have been operating in the waters of vavau since 1991. Vavau international airport via nadi, fiji afternoon. Tonga, vavau, vavau holiday homes, vavau island property services. Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they dont like divers bubbles, and its hard to keep up with whales on scuba. Its the travel destination for those looking to get off the beaten trail. There was an unseasonably cold wind blowing in from what felt like every direction. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga.
Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. This file is licensed under the creative commons attribution 2. Between july and october, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for oceania humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae. Vavau rises 204 metres above sea level at mt talau. Cruises to vavau neiafu, tonga royal caribbean cruises.
In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and read more. Vavau is quite well known for superb whale swims, but since i arrive in tongatapu and only have one week, i wonder if it would be sufficient to just stay at tongatapu. These gentle giants give birth and then care for their young, waiting for them to grow. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international. Doug allans amazing whale encounters in tonga while filming for the incredible bbc blue planet series. Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales. The conference helped local participants to appreciate the high value placed globally on tonga s. From may to october, the port of utu vavau welcomes sailing boats from all over the world to dive with birthing humpback whales and explore underwater caves. As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Let mv ashlee g and mv kalo take you on the experience of a lifetime, whale watchingswimming in the beautiful waters of the vavau islands, tonga. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. This is where you see most of the photos and get most of the information about swimming with the whales in tonga. There were some real highlights in the trip such as hearing the whales sing, following a pod and snorkelling in the swallows cave but be prepared for rude comments over the two way with a female from base camp such as when we asked for wet suits our size this is all i could.
In the kingdom of tonga, whalewatching activities began in 1994 and focus on a small population of humpback whales utilising the waters around vavau as. These months are the best time for whale watching as well as the unique opportunity to swim with a humpback mother and her calf. Megaptera novaeangliae watching activities in vavau, tonga. Whales in the wild neiafu 2020 all you need to know. Check out our price list and then secure your spot on one of our boats for a truly unforgettable experience in vavau tonga with dolphin pacific diving. We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. Last week we introduced you to the island of vavau in tonga s north.
Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. We also offer amazing dive spots for those keen scuba divers when visiting vavau tonga. The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away. Tourist boats impeding maternal bond of vavaus humpbacks rnz. Snorkeling with humpback whales in tonga is such a singular experience that i began running guided trips there every year, to show other ocean lovers just how amazing these animals are. Kiwi magic is a licensed whale swim operator in vava u, kingdom of tonga, one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience. Whale swimming at vava u tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. As each day unfolds, you never know which whale gifts may be in store. This whale was singing for 15 minutes before coming closer to show off for the camera. I went with deep blue diving and we sighted hunpback whales 810 times and swam with them 5 times. Keywords tourism, whalewatching, economic impacts, tonga, vavau. This pristine archipelago brings together an unparalleled combination of island life steeped in centuries old culture with spectacular marine diversity. The most complicated part of snorkeling with humpbacks in tonga.
Our brand new yacht, reellife caters for groups between 4 and 12 guests. Let mv ashlee g and mv kalo take you on the experience of a lifetime, whale watchingswimming in the beautiful waters of the vava u islands, tonga. Join dive ninjas october 1424, 2020 for a very special expedition to swim with the humpback whales of vavau, tonga. We were lucky enough to swim with this mum and baby in august 2015. This photograph taken on august 4, 2008 shows a humpback whale diving near the island of vavau in tonga. Every year from july to october the whales complete their migration from the feeding grounds of antarctica to the warmer tropical waters of tonga where they give birth to their calves and perform courtship readying themselves for the next season.
Being the longest running whale watching company in vava u you should think that they were also the best, but we were very disappointed. We provide professional tours with experienced guides for whale watching and swimming with the whales. Diving in vavau dive the best kept secret in the south pacific diver training. Vava u islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Feb 08, 2017 free diving with whales in vava u tonga sarah kohan. Orams centre for tourism research, massey university, albany, private bag 102 904, north shore msc, auckland, new zealand the vava u island group in the northern part of the kingdom of tonga in the south pacific has a growing reputation as a whale watching destination. This account has reached the download cap, additional downloads subject to.
Hundreds of whales stop at haapai each year between july and october and as haapai is further south geographically many whales wishing to travel to vavau have to pass through haapai first anyway. I paid 300 tonga paanga for this full day trip and lunch as well as snorkeling gear was included. Jul 26, 2017 there were some real highlights in the trip such as hearing the whales sing, following a pod and snorkelling in the swallows cave but be prepared for rude comments over the two way with a female from base camp such as when we asked for wet suits our size this is all i could. Tongan cruising guide vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. The island of vavau is big enough to be interesting and small enough to get to know it. Kiwi magic whale swim tonga whale swimming in vavau. The best things to do in vavau islands 2020 with photos. A breaching humpback whale off the coast of vava u, tonga gentle giants every year, from june to november, humpback whales make their way into the protected port of refuge. Vavau, kingdom of tonga, is a wellestablished whalewatching destination in the south pacific.
Kiwi magic whale swim tonga videos whale swimming in vavau, tonga. Whale and dolphin watching in the pacific islands region phase 2. Tonga humpback whale swim acanela expeditions acanela. Getting up close and personal with these magnificent animals is a once in a lifetime experience and we recommend whale watching in va vau to all our visitors. Whale watch vavau neiafu 2020 all you need to know. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. We will be operating out of the port of refuge harbour, which is. Vavau holiday homes specialize in holiday home rental in the vavau islands group in northern tonga. Vavau islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and. Id say we even were within 1020 m of the whales at times. What its like to swim with humpback whales in vavau, tonga i was sitting on the back of the boat in all black wearing a full steamer wetsuit, fins, snorkel and mask. Swimming with humpback whales, snorkeling in coastal caves and week on little inhabited island.
The main island of utu vavau is 97 square kilometres 37 sq mi, the second largest island in tonga. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy. Which company do you recommend for snorkling and swim with whales. Whale swimming vavau vs tongatapu or eua tonga forum. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at vavau. Join us on an adventure tour to vavau, an island in the kingdom of tonga that is considered to be the best place in the world to swim with humpback whales. These tonga tours are operated by the tongan beach resort in vavau new zealand yacht charters ltd in association with whaleswim adventures ltd. The capital is neiafu, and has a population of around 6000 people. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international airport and is the centre of whale watch tourism, but a smaller number of operators offer tours from tongatapu, eua and haapai.
Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to. A glimpse at how to watch humpback whales underwater. Whale watching tourism in the kingdom of tongaa report for the international fund for animal welfare and operations cetaces. Peace and privacy awaits you in this new house toula village. With kiwi magic tours, you can get right up close with humpback whales on our small, private guided tours. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is the operator of choice for bbcs life and. A breaching humpback whale off the coast of vavau, tonga gentle giants every year, from june to november, humpback whales make their way into the protected port of refuge.
I am going to tonga in september mainly for swimming with humpback whales. Spend seven full days snorkeling with humpback whale mothercalf pairs on their calving grounds in the polynesian country of tonga, and explore coral gardens off the coast of vavau. Sea kayaking activities and tours are also available. Vavau is situated in the northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga.