The Humpback Whales of Tonga
The magnificent South Pacific Humpback
whales migrate to the warm waters of Tonga from late
July to late October each year, to mate and give birth
to their calves. The 8,500 km journey to and from their
feeding grounds in the Antarctic takes approximately
6 or 7 weeks.
Tonga is one of only 3 locations in the
world where it is legal to swim with whales.
Due to its location and geography, this amazing experience
can be managed so it is safe for both humans and animals.
Your Days
on the Water with the Whales
"It is truly an inconsistency in nature that one of the largest of mammals in our oceans are so graceful and gentle - totally trusting of the human beings floating on their crystal clear watery domain. The Humpback whales are aware of our presence, they glide effortlessly around us, with a gentleness of knowing we are fragile in comparison and we are there out of wonder and respect of their size, their graciousness and allowing their new born calves within a few metres of us, there is a 'stillness' as they approach you that goes way beyond words. . . . .
Their song is ancient and resounds through all your senses leaving you with a peacefulness that is both inward and outward.
No words will ever describe being with these majestic creatures but you know that your life will never be the same again. . . . . "
All our tours are private charters and are land-based, on the beautiful
tropical islands situated up to 1hr.15min by boat
from Neiafu, the main town on Vava'u.
There are 30 different islands in the Vava'u group
(photo left) so our days are spent in and around these
islands - a safe haven for the calving females. July
- October is the mating season for these humpback
whales who have swum 8,500 km's from the Antarctic,
so there is plenty of activity to be witnessed!
The mornings are spent locating, watching and swimming
with the whales. Some days we find them easily and
other days it takes a little longer! Remember, they
are 'in the wild' and not in an aquarium!
You will experience different whale encounters during
your days on the water.
Your swims with a mother and calf are usually gentle
and wondrous. If the calf is inquisitive, they love
to come close and check us out and some 'show off'
by somersaulting and spiraling around us. They seem
happy to have something to play with!
Sometimes a mother and calf will be 'escorted' by
a male humpback, waiting for his chance to get 'lucky"!
There may also be a second male challenging the other
male 'escort'. This encounter may not be as peaceful
and gentle as when the mum and calf are on their own,
however they are just as incredulous.
Then there is the young juveniles (one year olds)
that return to Tonga and are 'dropped off' by their
mothers, to begin life on their own. These encounters
with an exuberant young whale can be fun and can certainly
get your adrenalin pumping!
So can being in the water with a 'courting' couple!
In this situation, we careful gauge whether they are
aware of us being in the water - or not. If they are
only focused on each other, we do not enter the water
with them. This also applies to a 'heat-run'.
A 'heat-run' is a bunch of male humpbacks on the hunt
for a female. She can be in the pod and each male
fights for the closest position to the female or they
could be on the look-out for one. In either case,
its very exciting to watch from the boat.
We also see the lone males or females,
who are usually on the move and not interested in
us. Other behaviours you may witness from the boat
are, spy-hopping, head-lunging, fluke-slapping, pec
slapping and breaching.
We take a break for lunch, usually
at a prime snorkeling spot like the Japanese Gardens,
in a wondrous cave (Swallows or Mariners) or one of
the beautiful uninhabited islands.
The afternoons are much like the
mornings, locating the whales and have more interaction
before heading back to your resort at around 3.30 - 4pm.
