Swim with humpback whales in Tonga during their breeding season. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can legally swim with whales—mothers with calves, singing males, and heat runs.
Small groups of six travelers. Five full days on the water. Jul–Oct 2026.
Arrive in Vava'u and settle into your island accommodation. Meet the group and your whale guides. Evening briefing on whale behavior, safety protocols, and what to expect in the water.
Full day on the water. We track whales across the archipelago, moving between islands to find active pods. Witness breaching, tail slaps, and underwater songs that vibrate through your chest.
Full day on the water. We track whales across the archipelago, moving between islands to find active pods. Witness breaching, tail slaps, and underwater songs that vibrate through your chest.
Focus on finding mother-calf pairs. These are the most peaceful, intimate encounters. Watch calves learning to breathe, play, and stay close to their mothers.
If conditions align, we search for heat runs—multiple males competing for a female. High-energy, powerful, and raw. Alternatively, we find singing males suspended in blue water.
Last chance to find whales. We maximize time on the water, chasing any final encounters. Evening farewell dinner with the group, sharing footage and stories.
I don't usually travel with strangers. But after the first day it genuinely felt like I'd known these people for years. The humpbacks were beyond anything I expected — and I'm already signed up for the next one
I came for the whales. What I didn't expect was leaving with a group of people I'm still in contact with every week. The whole thing was carefully put together without ever feeling rigid. Honestly one of the best decisions I've made this year.
✓ 6 nights island accommodation. Shared rooms in Tongatapu. Private room upgrades available.
✓ All meals included. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the expedition.
✓ 5 full days whale swimming. Dedicated boat and expert guides for humpback whale encounters.
✓ Snorkeling equipment. Masks, fins, snorkels provided for all guests.
✓ Airport transfers. Pickup and dropoff from Vava'u airport.
✓ Maui welcome package. Expedition goodie bag and T-shirt included.
✗ International flights. Flights to/from Tonga not included.
✗ Travel insurance. Required for this expedition.
✗ Alcoholic beverages. Not included in meal packages.
✗ Personal expenses. Souvenirs and additional purchases.
Fly into Nuku'alofa (TBU), then connect to Vava'u (VAV). We handle all transfers from Vava'u airport to accommodation. Detailed flight routing sent after booking.
July through October is humpback breeding season in Tonga. Peak activity is August–September when mothers with calves are most common.
We follow strict Tongan whale swimming regulations. Whales approach us—not the other way around. When curious, they come incredibly close. It's their choice, always.
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