Every year between July and November, endangered Southern Hemisphere humpback whales migrate from their Antarctic feeding grounds to the warm, sheltered waters of Vava'u, Tonga, to mate, give birth, and raise their calves. Tonga declared its waters a whale sanctuary in 1978 — one of the earliest in the world — and today operates some of the strictest whale swim regulations on earth.
The result: some of the most intimate, regulated, and genuinely extraordinary in-water encounters with humpback whales anywhere. Only a handful of operators are licensed to offer them. Here's how they compare.
Maui's Tonga expedition brings a maximum of 8 carefully selected guests to Vava'u for a fully immersive humpback whale swimming experience. Unlike most Tonga operators who accept any booking, Maui curates every group through an application process — so the 7 people you share this experience with are chosen, not random.
The expedition is fully all-inclusive: accommodation, all meals, boat days with the whales, expert guides, and snorkeling equipment. Tonga's regulations allow a maximum of 4 swimmers in the water per whale pod, per boat — Maui's small group size means maximum time per person.
One of Tonga's most established and respected operators, running whale swim tours since 1999. Maximum 8 guests, beachside boutique resort accommodation, 7 or 9-night formats. Passionate, experienced crew with deep knowledge of humpback behaviour in Vava'u. A genuinely excellent operator that's been delivering high-quality experiences for over 25 years.
Award-winning wildlife photographer Scott Portelli leads small-group whale swim expeditions in Vava'u with a maximum of 6 guests. The focus is on professional-quality in-water photography and deep respect for the animals. Over 25 years of experience in Tonga. One of the most intimate setups available.
A US non-profit that has run Tonga whale swim expeditions for decades. Naturalist-led, conservation-focused, and named one of National Geographic's 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Strong education component and a reputation for responsible, low-impact encounters. The most research-oriented operator on this list.
A US-based agency offering 4 and 6-person boat tours in Vava'u — the only operator with dedicated 4-person vessels. Since Tongan law allows only 4 swimmers per pod per boat, a 4-person boat means every single guest gets maximum water time every single encounter. An innovative format for those who want the most time possible with the whales.
A Belgian-led expedition with a maximum of 7 guests, combining whale swimming with optional freediving. Strong community of repeat guests, and a base at a beachfront villa with a private jetty. Well-regarded for creating a genuine expedition atmosphere alongside the wildlife encounters.
Only 4 guests and 1 licensed guide can enter the water per whale pod at a time. Only one boat per pod. SCUBA is prohibited — snorkeling only. Minimum 5 metres distance from whales must be maintained. These rules exist to protect the whales and ensure the encounter is respectful. Every operator on this list complies.
All six operators above offer legitimate, high-quality humpback whale swimming experiences in Tonga. The differentiator isn't the whales — they're equally spectacular for everyone. It's the group, the atmosphere, and what happens between the whale encounters. Maui is the only operator on this list that curates who shares that experience with you.
.png)
.svg)