Why choose
Tonga Whale Swim Adventures?
Small groups means more time swimming with whales
Tongan regulations allow for a maximum of 4 guests in the water at any one time. Whilst most operators have 10-12+ guests on each boat, we have no more than 8 people on each trip to make sure that everyone gets a great encounter with the whales. This means you will have 50% more whale swim time than most other operators in Tonga.
Tongatapu is the best place to swim with whales
Our operations are based in Tongatapu - the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and home to the capital city of Nuku’alofa. We have conducted whale swims across each of Tonga’s major islands (Vava’u,’Eua, Hapai and Tongatapu) and believe that Tongatapu provides the best experience.
Far fewer whale swim operators. There are only a handful of whale swim operators licensed to conduct tours in Tongatapu. This compares with the 37 whale swim boats in Vava’u. Less operators means no “lining up” behind other boats for a swim, and more relaxed whales.
No internal flights required. Don’t waste time and money on extra flights between Nuku’alofa and Vava’u or other outlying islands. The best whale swims are right here!
Crystal clear water. The waters surrounding Tongatapu are crystal clear. There is a mix of beautiful turquoise water along the island’s inner reef, as well as glorious deep blues that lie a few miles offshore. With Tonga Whale Swim Adventures you’ll get to experience both .
Real Tonga. Nuku’alofa is not a ‘tourist town’, but the beating heart of Tonga and its people. Enjoy the vibrant sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the nation’s capital after a full day on the water.
In this video, David Edgar (@edgar_pacific_photography), a regular of Tonga Whale Swim Adventures, captures his wife experiencing a beautiful encounter with a humpback whale calf.
Find out more about our small group encounters here.
Full days on the water
At Tonga Whale Swim Adventures we do everything we can to make sure you get the best whale swimming experience possible - meaning full days on the water. Tongan regulations require whale swim boats to return to port within 7 hours of departure.
Many other operators decide to “head back early” if the guests have already had an encounter with the whales in the morning. We don’t. Your skipper will use every hour available to maximise your 7-hours and give you the best experience possible.
Why choose us?
The Tonga Whale Swim Adventures team brings over a decade of experience swimming with whales and organising tours in Tonga. Tonga does not have the same tourist infrastructure of other South Pacific islands, like Fiji. Things happen on “Tonga time”, and a smooth experience is as much about who you know as it is what you know. That’s where our Trip Leader makes a world of difference to your experience – being with you every step of the way to make sure you have what you need, when you need it and where you need it! And of course, all of our tours allow you the freedom to explore on your own outside of our organised itineraries, with the comfort of having your tour leader on call and able to help and direct you should you need it. And we really mean small group - each group is only a maximum of 8.
Australian tour company
Based in Australia, you and our tour leader will have ongoing support from back home while out adventuring. Giving you peace of mind and reassurance that you are safe and able to access and communicate with people who can assist you with anything that you may need.