Snorkeling & swimming with whales in Tonga
Coming face to face with humpback whales is possible in Tonga. Check out this unique adventure where you have the chance to meet both adult whales and just-born calves.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Unusual encounters with humpback whales in remote Tonga
Tonga is considered worldwide to be one of the very best places to see humpback whales AND snorkel with them. During this trip you will spend 4 days to meet the whales and swim and snorkel with them. In addition, you will have 2 free days to explore the island on your own. Tonga is the only Polynesian country that has never been a colony and has retained its traditional monarchy, giving it a unique culture. In addition, you can also choose to go scuba diving!
Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific, northeast of New Zealand. It consists of 170 tropical islands, 36 of which are inhabited. In the months of July through October it is “winter,” which means dry weather, lots of sunshine and pleasant temperatures of around 25°C.
Every year at exactly this time, thousands of humpback whales make the long journey from Antarctica to the sheltered waters around Tonga. Here they mate, calves are born and mothers teach their young the first skills of life. That calm, warm water and the natural protection of the islands makes Tonga unique. Also for travelers: because you can swim and snorkel with these impressive whales here.
During an encounter, you snorkel in small groups on the surface. Sometimes a whale swims by curiously, other times you float silently above a mother with calf who is quietly taking a breath. Every encounter is different, but always impressive. It is all about respect and wonder, at a safe distance, without disturbance.
Best travel time for a snorkeling vacation to Tonga
From July through October, hundreds of humpback whales migrate to the warm, shallow waters around Tonga to mate and raise calves. September and October are the absolute peak months.
Guidelines for a respectful meeting
Respect for the humpback whales is the focus of this trip. No mass tourism, but small groups in the water observing the animals from an appropriate distance. The goal is to disturb the natural behavior of the whales as little as possible. You will receive a comprehensive briefing beforehand. Good to know in advance:
- Snorkeling is done only at the surface: freediving and duck diving are not allowed
- No use of flash
- Minimum 90-minute break between encounters
- You may be in the water with up to 4 people at a time. Depending on the boat, you are up to 8 or 12 people. So you take turns going into the water.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for snorkeling in Tonga
The water temperature is around 25°C, so a wetsuit is recommended. So a shorty or 3mm wetsuit may be sufficient while snorkeling. If you get cold easily, it is wise to bring a full 4/3mm wetsuit. Of course, a wetsuit also provides buoyancy, which can be nice while snorkeling.
What will you experience on this snorkeling vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 | Arrival at Vava'u
The trip will take you to the island of Vava’u, the best base for snorkeling with humpback whales. It is a large island, with 40 smaller islands surrounding it.
Upon arrival at the airport, a transfer will be waiting for you to take you to your accommodation. You will stay in a bed & breakfast in the town of Neiafu, about 10 kilometers from the airport. You have plenty of time to settle in and explore the center of Neiafu. The center with its restaurants and beaches is about a 15-minute walk from the accommodation.
From Europe, the trip to Tonga often takes 2 days. Of course, we will find the best flight and connections for you. Since you are traveling to the other side of the world, you can also extend the trip. You are near Fiji, where you can do some really fantastic diving. Look in the last tab for our suggestions.
Day 2 & 3 | Snorkeling & swimming with whales
During these days you will go out with Beluga Diving, a team that organizes expeditions with respect for the humpback whales. The starting point is not to disturb their natural behavior.
At 06:00, breakfast is waiting for you in the bed & breakfast. It is an early start, but that is also necessary to get everything out of the day on the water. After breakfast you will gather at the diving school, which is a stone’s throw from the accommodation, and go together to the boat. On board you will receive a comprehensive briefing on the behavior of these impressive animals: from how to spot them to why they come to Tonga. This way you will learn more about their habitat and special characteristics.
You spend about 6 to 7 hours on the water each day looking for the whales. Some days you sail 40 miles before spotting whales, another day only 15. Once the whales are found, you get to go into the water to swim and snorkel with them. You won’t really realize how big they are (or how small you are yourself) until you’re in the water with them. After each encounter you will go in search of another group of whales. Lunch is also arranged, which you get on board.
After lunch the captain may still take you to the iconic Swallow’s Cave or other place, in any case to a fantastic snorkeling location. A perfect ending to a special day on the water.
Day 4 | Free day: kayaking, diving or relaxing?
The days on the water can be intense, so a rest day is welcome. This day can be filled as you wish! You can explore the islands, snorkeling, diving, quad biking or just relax on the beach. There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained.
Sunday is really a day of rest in Tonga, and most places are closed except for the cafes. You still have the option of exploring the islands, snorkeling from the beach, kayaking, (wind) surfing or just relaxing on a beach. It is a day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at your own pace.
Optional: diving
Would you like to dive in Tonga? You certainly can. During this period the diving school focuses on whale-watching expeditions, so please let us know in advance if you would like to go diving. There are only a few boats, so we are happy to arrange this in advance for you.
The impressive geography of the Vava’u Islands makes for a huge variety of dives. Think drift dives, coral gardens, canyons, drop-offs, caves and exciting swim-throughs. The marine life there is particularly rich: from white tip reef sharks and black tip reef sharks to nudibranch, hard and soft corals and beautiful fan corals.
Between July and November, pilot whales also show up regularly at several dive sites in Vava’u. The variety and biodiversity make diving here truly unique. In consultation with Beluga Diving you can make 2 boat dives this day.
Day 5 & 6 | Snorkeling & swimming with whales
For the next 2 days, you will again set out to spot humpback whales. The days will follow the same rhythm as the previous days: looking for humpbacks! Who knows, you might also encounter dolphins while navigating!
During the briefing, the crew will also tell you how to use the boat to spot the whales. So maybe after 2 days you will be a little more trained and manage to spot them yourself. In any case it will be another day where you will see the whales jumping out of the water, and jump into the water yourself to swim and snorkel with them again.
Day 7 | Exploring the island!
Once again, you won’t have to be bored today: there is plenty to do and discover on Tonga.
Tongan culture is full of creativity, and this is reflected in the arts and crafts you will encounter in Neiafu. At the Neiafu Market (also called ‘Utukalongalu Market) you will feast your eyes. You will find everything from colorful tapa paintings with whales to beautifully woven bags. Often you can even have something customized, and it will be waiting for you the very next day!
There are also several viewpoints on the island where you can go. In the north of the island, for example, you will find the Utula’aina viewpoint, one of the most beautiful spots on the island for taking photos and spotting whales. After driving down a long gravel road, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Vava’u’s jagged cliffs, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches.
Day 8 | Departure from Tonga
The beautiful trip with the whales is over. From your accommodation on Tonga, you will be transferred to the airport.
For divers, this is the perfect time to travel on to Fiji and add another great diving vacation. Because seriously, you’re on the other side of the world now anyway 😉 If vacations allow, we really recommend this!
Extend trip / combine with other destination
Tonga is a fairly remote island and you are unlikely to visit it twice, so it is definitely worth extending the diving trip or staying a little longer at the transfer point. There are many possibilities, but we’d like to tip you off to the following:
America: if you have a transfer in America, you can extend or start your trip with a few days in America.
Australia: a great opportunity to go to Australia to explore, for example, the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel, dive and even take a low altitude flight over the reef here.
- Fiji: dive among among beautiful coral reefs, diverse fish species, sharks, sea turtles and other marine life. Fiji is known for its healthy and dense coral reefs and abundance of marine life, including colorful reef fish, large pelagic species and even dolphins, whales and orcas! Although the latter is really a matter of luck, they are not often spotted.
Curious about the possibilities? Feel free to tell us your wishes and we will see which combination fits best.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from Tonga?
With humpback whales in the water
Tonga is one of the few places in the world where you may swim with humpback whales. Between July and October, these impressive marine mammals migrate to the warm, clear waters around Tonga to mate and give birth to calves. Slipping into the water with a guide and coming face to face with a curious calf or singing male is a magical experience. These encounters take place under strict rules so that it remains respectful and safe – for both humans and animals.
The nature of Vava’u
The Vava’u archipelago in northern Tonga is a tropical paradise full of rugged cliffs, turquoise bays and an underwater world bursting with life. Divers and snorkelers will find caves, coral gardens, drop-offs and high chances of encounters with (in addition to humpback whales) pilot whales. Above water is also enjoyable: sailing between islands, kayaking through mangroves or relaxing on secluded beaches. Vava’u is small-scale and pure, with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals.
Culture & hospitality
Tonga is the only kingdom in the Pacific and has a strong, living culture that locals are proud of. You notice it in traditional music and dance, kava ceremonies and colorful markets like in Neiafu. Crafts play a big role: from tapa paintings to braided bags. The people are warm and open, and guests are welcomed with a smile. Participating in a local meal or party night is a special experience that brings you closer to the Tongan way of life.
The accommodations
The stay and the diving school
Flying Annie Moa
You will stay at the small-scale bed and breakfast Flying Annie Moa. This accommodation is run by Beluga Diving, with whom you also do the whale expeditions. They established the B&B to provide even better service to their guests. The accommodation is near the sea and near the city center.
You will stay in a room private bathroom and air conditioning. Some rooms have a sitting area or balcony, but you can also relax in the shared lounge. Best of all? You’re steps away from Beluga Diving, the place where you start your expeditions each morning.
The dive center
The diving school and facilities
Beluga Diving
Beluga Diving is a PADI diving school and was founded by Dutchman Huib, who left the Netherlands in 1990 and eventually ended up in Tonga. Together with his wife, he founded Beluga Diving, specializing in boat diving and whale watching expeditions. They are an official operator on Tonga, which means they are bound by strange laws and regulations protecting the whalesn.
The diving school is located on the waterfront of Fangafoa Bay, in Neiafu. It is next to the Fangafoa Marina and The Moorings Boat Charter, and the center of Neiafu is only a 5-minute walk away.
At Beluga Diving, all practical activities such as dive training, boat diving, whale snorkeling tours, snorkeling trips, boat charters, rental and maintenance of diving equipment start. During whale season (July-October) the focus is mainly on swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales. Do you want to dive during that period? Please let us know in advance so the dive center can take this into account.
The boats are comfortable to spend hours on. There is a toilet, plenty of shade, a cabin and the side doors make it easy to enter the water. To get out of the water there is a ladder.
Travel costs
What is included
This snorkeling vacation to Tonga is available from £ 2.869 per person based ontwo people in one room and with 4 people participating. The snorkeling trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Tonga? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from £ 2.869 p.p.
- 7 nights at Flying Annie Moa
- Accommodation based on bed & breakfast
- 4 days of snorkeling with whales
- Lunch on snorkel days
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Tonga from £ 3.157 p.p.
- Dive & Travel Insurance
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- 2 boat dives incl. equipment $170
Send this trip by email
Want to save or share the details of this snorkeling trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about Tonga
General questions
Yes, you can on the free days (day 4 or 7). Please arrange this in advance with Beluga Diving. During the snorkeling days there is no diving. This is also not necessary, as the whales are often at the surface or just below.
Yes, the diving school is right next door.
Yes, you can bring your drone, but it is important to register it after arriving at the airport. There are also other rules. The drone may not be in the air after sunset, for example. Also, the maximum height is 50 meters. For all regulations, check out Tonga’s official website.
We try to snorkel every day on the pristine coral reefs, in beautiful caves and the blue sapphire-colored waters that surround the islands. You can also snorkel from the shore, on the day off, for example.
You certainly can. This trip is an example and everything can be customized in consultation.
About the expeditions
You are on the water for about 6 to 7 hours
Dolphins, pilot whales and very occasionally whale sharks, sperm whales and manta rays are often seen. You never know what you might encounter.
The days are flexible so that we can enjoy and take into account the wild behavior of the humpback whales. As a rough guide:
- 07:00/hr: Gather at Beluga Diving
- Search for whales and swim with them until lunch.
- Lunch will be served on the boat, the exact time depends on the activity of the whales.
- 2:30 p.m.: Usually around this time, we begin rounding out our time with the whales and go snorkeling at a beautiful reef.
- 14:30 – 15:30: We return to the port
Yes, there is always a guide on the boat.
Maximum 90 minutes with the same whale(s).
Beluga Diving is an official operator and is therefore bound by strict laws and regulations to protect the whales. This allows you to enter the water with 4 people at a time.
Depending on the boat, you are up to 8 or 12 people on the boat. So you take turns going into the water.
On average, about 8 times a day.
As you have read, there are some rules regarding snorkeling and swimming with the whales. One of the rules is that you cannot duck dive and freedive, so as not to disturb the whales. Because of this, rules have been made for the fins you may wear during the excursions: the maximum fin size is 70 cm, measured from heel to fin tip. These are closed heel fins.
The sea is generally calm and weather conditions good. It is virtually rare that the boat does not go out. If it does, no refund is available.
The sea is generally calm and weather conditions good. However, there can be a lot of wind, which causes waves. So it is good to take seasickness pills with you if you are prone to this.
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