An intimate, once-in-a-lifetime ocean experience in the Kingdom of Tonga

Join Alex for the incredible opportunity to swim alongside wild humpback whales in the pristine waters of Vava’u, Tonga. This carefully curated 7-night expedition is designed for travellers seeking a deeper connection with the ocean, nature, and one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on Earth.

With a maximum of just seven guests per trip, you’ll spend five full days on the water searching for humpback whales that migrate to Tonga each winter to rest, mate, and nurture their calves. Guided by experienced local whale guides and captains, every interaction is conducted with respect, patience, and adherence to Tonga’s world-leading whale swimming regulations.

This is not a rushed or crowded experience. It is immersive, unfiltered, and deeply memorable, combining daily whale encounters with relaxed island living, shared meals, and time to slow down in one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful destinations.

Pricing:

USD $6,000 per person ($1,000 deposit + fortnightly instalments)

Vava’u, Tonga (Vava’u International Airport)

Vava’u, Tonga

7 nights waterfront accommodation in Vava’u. Rooms are twin share or private - subject to first bookings, gender and personal requirements.

We stay together in a private waterfront house, just moments from the ocean with a private jetty. The accommodation is simple, comfortable, and designed as a calm place to rest between long days on the water. A communal dining area where we can enjoy meals, review footage from the day or relax with a book and beer. The focus of this week is time in the ocean, shared meals, and the quiet rhythm of island life.

Daily breakfast, daily lunch on the boat, group dinners prepared by a private chef

Arrival

Guests should plan flights to arrive in Vava’u before midday on arrival day where possible. Detailed arrival instructions and accommodation details will be provided once your booking is confirmed.

Departure

Trips conclude on the final morning. Guests are free to depart at any time, with morning flights recommended.

Entry Requirements

Please check entry and visa requirements based on your passport. Passports must have a minimum of six months validity.

Tonga’s Immigration and General Services page (entry permit & visitor requirements):
👉 https://www.revenue.gov.to/immigration-and-general-services

Trip Confirmation

Trips are listed as Pending until minimum guest numbers are reached. Once confirmed, guests will be notified immediately.

Booking Flights

Flights should only be booked once the trip is confirmed. Tonga has limited flight availability during whale season, and early booking is strongly recommended once confirmed.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required, and this will need to organised independently. There are a number of travel insurance comparison websites available. For more information on travel insurance head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/protect-your-adventure-best-in-travels-guide-to-travel-insurance/

• Hosted by Alex throughout the trip

• 5 full days on the water - swimming with humpback whales

• Experienced local Tongan whale guides and boat crew

• Small group experience (maximum 7 guests)

• Accommodation for 7 nights in Vava’u

• Daily breakfast

• Daily boat lunches

• Group dinners at the accommodation

• All whale swim permits and marine fees

• Pre-trip information pack and preparation guidance

• Photography workshops and 1:1 photography mentoring from Alex

• Humpback whale presentation

• International and domestic flights

• Airport transfers

• Travel insurance (required)

• Personal snorkelling equipment (fins, mask, snorkel)

• Alcohol and personal expenses

Arrive in Vava’u and make your way to the accommodation. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a relaxed afternoon settling in, meeting the group, and preparing gear. In the evening, we’ll come together for a welcome dinner and trip briefing.

Included:

• Welcome dinner

Tonga is a very religious country and Sundays are a 'day of rest'.

We start your first full day with a tour exploring the island and learning about the local culture of Vava’u. In the afternoon we’ll be briefed about the following boat days and learn about whale encounters.

In the afternoon you will be briefed about what your next days on the boat will look like, followed by a masterclass from Alex on how to interact with humpback whales in a responsible manner. We will also cover any photography related questions for those wanting to capture these moments.

After breakfast, head out on the water for your first full day searching for humpback whales. Tonga offers some of the most consistent whale encounters in the world, but each interaction is on the whales’ terms. Expect a full day on the boat with multiple water entries, rest periods, and incredible moments.

In the afternoon we will return to the house. Enjoy some rest, have a swim at the jetty or even review some photos.

Included:

• Breakfast, boat lunch, dinner all prepared by our chef

Each day follows the rhythm of the ocean and the whales. We depart early morning after breakfast and spend up to seven hours on the water, guided by local experts who read whale behaviour and conditions carefully.

Encounters may include mothers and calves, singers, or curious adults. Time is built in for rest, recovery, and reflection between swims.

Evenings are relaxed, with shared meals and time to review photos, footage, or simply unwind.

Alex will also give a Humpback Whale Science Talk and Photography Masterclasses.

Included Daily:

• Breakfast, boat lunch, dinner all prepared by our chef

Our final day on the water offers one last opportunity to connect with the whales before returning to shore early afternoon. The evening is left open for a relaxed farewell dinner and reflections on an unforgettable week.

Included:

• Breakfast, boat lunch, farewell dinner

Enjoy a final group breakfast. Exchange pictures and videos with your fellow travellers. Return transfer to Vava'u airport.

Included:

• Breakfast

Throughout the trip, I’ll be offering 1:1 coaching and group sessions for those interested in improving their underwater or travel photography.

Whether you’re using an action camera, beginner or take your photography to the next level, we’ll cover topics like camera settings, natural light, composition, and editing. You’ll also get tips on shooting in challenging conditions and making the most of your time in the water with these incredible animals.

Humpback whales in Tonga are completely wild and free-ranging. Encounters are never guaranteed, but Tonga has one of the strongest records globally for daily whale interactions. Strict regulations limit water time to small groups, ensuring respectful and meaningful experiences for both guests and whales

Safety, patience, and respect are at the core of every interaction

Further information and FAQs can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13oN59-ciGclJb5Gxnsf84J0MyvqCB7v7/view?usp=sharing

Alex is an Australian photographer and ocean storyteller with years of experience working in remote marine environments. He holds a degree in Marine Biology and has spent the past decade documenting and exploring ocean ecosystems around the world.

Having hosted multiple whale swim expeditions in Tonga, Alex brings a calm, respectful approach to the ocean and a deep appreciation for wildlife encounters experienced with care.

This journey is not about chasing content or ticking boxes, but about presence, connection, and sharing a rare experience alongside a small group of like-minded people.

Swimming with humpback whales is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you in awe. These majestic creatures are known for their intelligence and beautiful songs. Not only will you get to witness their incredible size and grace up close, but you'll also have the opportunity to learn more about their behaviour and habitat. Swimming with humpback whales is an unforgettable adventure that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the ocean and these gentle giants.

No! You don't need any scuba dive or freedive experience for this trip. The whales come to the surface, and we meet them there. Comfort in the water and experience with snorkelling is highly recommended.

Your accommodation in Tonga is based on shared rooms. Solo travellers can opt for a private room, which incurs a single-supplement fee. Please contact us for specific pricing details. Alternatively, we may offer a roommate pairing option on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. Reach out to us for availability and more information.

While we can help with some gear, we strongly encourage you to bring your own snorkel, mask, fins and wetsuit that you have tested and are comfortable with! For those less competent swimmers we encourage the use thick and highly buoyant wetsuits over safety vests, however it is your choice!

Many of the activities involve swimming and snorkelling so we recommend a moderate level of fitness. It is also recommended that you are comfortable in the open ocean and able to swim 200m unassisted.

Enjoy the special moments and Alex will be capturing the behind the scenes so that you have memories documented to take with you!

Flights currently operate from Australia, Fiji & New Zealand. While flights options are limited our team is here to help you find the best flights all the way to Vava’u.