Swim with Humpback Whales
in the Kingdom of Tonga for the season 2025
Vava'u
The Vava'u archipelago in northern Tonga is perhaps the most famous place in the world for swimming with humpback whales— and for good reason. The islands form a natural nursery for migrating humpback whales between July and late October allowing them to raise their calves in safety.
We have been operating our swim with whales tours in Vava’u, Tonga since 1999 and our dedicated and passionate Tour Leader & crew are experts. We know how to take care of every detail of your time with us.
We offer personally-escorted, small group/8 guests ‘snorkelling with whales’ eco-tours you will never, ever forget!
Tonga has whale-swimming legislation in place to protect the whales and promote quality encounters.
All whale-watching boats in Tonga must be licensed and skippers must be trained and certified to take people swimming with whales. The legislation limits the number of swimmers in the water during an encounter to just 4 people plus a certified whale-swim guide, and only one boat can have swimmers in the water with those whales during a direct encounter. With a maximum of 8 guests on board our tours, this means that you will be in the water every second encounter at a minimum. We are generally in the water multiple times during our whale-watching day and this rotation allows you to enjoy the often up close time with the whales from the boat and in the water - breaching and other surface activity is often best seen boat-side!
Vava'u was one of the first places in the world to offer the opportunity to swim with whales and the years of experience and observation of humpback whale behaviours here have created a wealth of knowledge about these wonderful marine mammals. We are proud to support the Tongan Whale Watching Legislation and deeply appreciate the work that has been put into developing these rules. We have been running WhaleSwim tours in Vava'u for 25 years and it is an affair of the heart for us. We are so grateful to be working with our wonderful teams here, and to be able take people to meet the magnificent humpback whales out among these beautiful islands.
Our tours include 7 or 9 nights at a beautiful, beach-front boutique-style resort, with friendly and welcoming hosts, a pool, most meals (delicious food!), snorkelling on reefs and in gorgeous marine caves, beach combing on deserted island and of course, swimming with whales! We also include airport transfers in Vava’u.
Tour Dates & Costs Vava'u TONGA - 2025
7 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Choose your tour!
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T7025A Sat 5 July Sat 12 July
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T7025B Sat 12July Sat 19 July
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T7025C Sat 19 July Sat 26 July
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T7025D Tue 29 July Tue 5 Aug
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T7025E Sat 16 Aug Sat 23 Aug
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T7025F Sat 23 Aug Sat 30 Aug
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T7025G Sat 13 Sept Sat 20 Sept
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T7025H Sat 20 Sept Sat 27 Sept
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T7025I Tues 30 Sept Tues 7 Oct
Choose your accomodation!
Tour prices are per person
Single person - Beach side with Ensuite:
AUD 7,350
Twin/Double sharing - Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 6,100
Twin/Double sharing - Family Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 6,200
3 people sharing - Family Triple Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 5,700
9 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Choose your tour!
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T9025A Thurs 7 Aug Sat 16 Aug - fully booked
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T9025B Thurs 4 Sept Sat 13 Sept
Choose your accomodation!
Tour prices are per person
Single person - Beach side with Ensuite:
AUD 8,800
Twin/Double sharing - Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 7,000
Twin/Double sharing - Family Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 7,150
3 people sharing - Family Triple Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 6,450
What is included?
7 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Transfers : Return airport & boat transfers in Vava'u
Beachside Room at the Tongan Beach Resort with ensuite bathroom - a fabulous resort on the edge of the whale nursery
Full buffet breakfast at the hotel, delicious lunches on the boat each day, plus Sunday lunch, as well as 5 evening meals
The other 2 evenings, you are free to experience the great little restaurants in town.
5 full days on the water with the whales guided by certified/experienced/passionate Guides | education/research data collection
Discovering the beautiful Vava'u islands!
Your whale-watching days will include opportunities to snorkel and explore coral reefs | beautiful cathedral and swim through underwater caves | beach-comb on uninhabited islands.
Kayaks are available at the resort if you would like to do more exploring in your free time.
1 day leisure day (Sunday is a compulsory holiday in Tonga)
9 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Transfers : Return airport & boat transferts in Vava'u
Beachside Room at the Tongan Beach Resort with ensuite bathroom - a fabulous resort on the edge of the whale nursery
Full buffet breakfast at the hotel, delicious lunches on the boat each day, plus Sunday lunch, as well as 6 evening meals
The other 3 evenings, you are free to experience the great little restaurants in town.
7 full days on the water with the whales guided by certified/experienced/passionate Guides | education/research data collection
Discovering the beautiful Vava'u islands!
Your whale-watching days will include opportunities to snorkel and explore coral reefs | beautiful cathedral and swim through underwater caves | beach-comb on uninhabited islands.
Kayaks are available at the resort if you would like to do more exploring in your free time.
1 day leisure day (Sunday is a compulsory holiday in Tonga)
Tour places are going fast, book now!
Not included :
- All international flights to Vava'u, Tonga
- Travel Insurance
- Snorkelling gear
- Some evening dinners depending on your package
Kerry Greene, Aug 2024
« Thank you Annah for such an awe-inspiring experience. Swimming with whales is indescribable really, but joyful and exciting and beautiful are part of it. But not only the whales made this wonderful, your expertise as a guide, love and knowledge of the whales, and commitment to caring for each member of our group was very much appreciated. It was lovely to spend time with you and get to know you. »
Jane Hunter, Sept 2019
« If you are considering a trip to Vavaú to swim with Humpback whales, then WhaleSwim Adventures is the company to book with. I've just spent seven amazing days doing just that and have no hesitation in recommending this company. Our boat captain, Noa, our guides, Annah and Michael, are second to none. We had many amazing whale encounters, visited beautiful bays and islands, all in great company. My time there far exceeded my expectations. We were so well looked after, ever aspect of the tour was exceptional. Thanks WhaleSwim, I hope to be back.
Jan Hunter - returning in 2024! »
Nicky, Aug 2023
« Whaleswim Tonga - experience of a lifetime!!
This was a trip that had been postponed since 2019/20 and was a long time in the making as a result of delays due to Covid and the eruption and Tsunami in Tonga. It was well worth the wait and was definitely a trip of a lifetime.
Shane and Helen at the Tongan Beach Resort made sure that our stay was as enjoyable as possible. Attending to issues such as towels, proper fitting fins etc. The packed lunches on the boat were excellent! Annah was very attentive and ensured that we knew what was happening each day even though she was feeling under the weather. Checking our confidence levels in the water so that she could gauge the types of encounters that we could manage. We had a lot of swims with the whales which included mothers with calves, heat runs, adolescents, solo whales. It was a magical experience being able to get that close to these amazing creatures. We were fortunate to encounter lots of whales every day of swimming... Thank you Annah, Helen, Sasha and Shane for a bucket list experience.»
Anne, Sept 2019
« A Whale of a Time!
What an amazing time I had with Whaleswim in Vava'u, Tonga. The Tongan Beach Resort was a delightfully uncluttered place to stay with wonderful staff. My whole experience swimming with the mighty humpbacks, as well as pilot whales & false killer whales, is almost beyond description.
Our interaction with these awesome creatures every day was truly beautiful.
How can I describe my feelings when I heard & saw my first singing humpback on the first day out except to say it is beyond any words I could say. Annah Evington, our leader & guide, is absolutely beautiful & so wise.. Her love of & passion for the humpbacks is exceptional. She made my whole experience so enriched because of who she is... I cannot recommend Whaleswim, Tonga enough»
What you will experience in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, is not just a paradise for whale watching but also offers a plethora of other mesmerizing experiences. During the whale season, Tonga boasts one of the highest populations of humpback whales in the world, offering you a unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures up close. Moreover, the island is teeming with diverse marine life, inviting you to swim amongst colorful coral reefs and explore stunning underwater caves.
Yet, beyond its natural wonders, Tonga captivates visitors with its warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage. The genuine kindness of the Tongan people and their vibrant culture create an unforgettable atmosphere of friendliness and hospitality.
We hold a deep affection for this remarkable island and its people, and we are thrilled to share its wonders with you during your visit. From encountering majestic whales to immersing yourself in the vibrant marine life and exploring the island's scenic beauty, your time in Tonga promises to be nothing short of magical.
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© All photos from Annah Evington
Want more of tour information?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here!
You have questions, and we've got the answers! We've compiled them right here so you can have all the information at your fingertips!
Where will you stay?
You will stay in the fabulous Tongan Beach Resort.
Tongan Beach Resort spans 180 meters of beachfront with all 18 guest rooms enjoying views of the golden sand beach and crystal clear turquoise waters of the Port of Refuge Harbour and on some days the humpbacks are seen frolicking in the beautiful clear waters in front of the resort. Our boat picks you up at the jetty each morning and heads out into the whale nursery.
All rooms have top quality beds and 100% cotton bedding and towels and are only meters away from the water’s edge. The rooms have air-conditioning and are fitted with electric ceiling fans with open entrances allowing for a natural sea breeze if desired. Each room has its own covered decked balcony with table and chairs to relax and watch the sun set.
