Swim with humpback whales in Tonga

For a few extraordinary months each year, humpback whales gather in the warm waters of Vava’u to mate, give birth and nurture their calves.

This is your opportunity to enter their world.

Seven nights in Tonga. Five days on the water. Small groups and led by experienced wildlife photographers and marine biologists and shaped by more than 25 years in Tonga.

Seven nights in Vava’u. Five days on the water. Maximum six guests.

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  • Humpback whale surfacing in the crystal-clear waters of Tonga.
  • Aerial view of a coral reef in the turquoise waters of Tonga.
  • Humpback whale and calf swimming together in the clear waters of Tonga.
  • Milky Way rising above the tropical forests of Tonga.
  • Sunset reflecting across the tranquil waters of Tonga.
  • lose-up underwater portrait of a humpback whale in the crystal-clear waters of Tonga.
  • A manta ray swimming in the deep blue ocean.
  • A scuba diver swimming above a vibrant coral reef with colorful fish in clear ocean water.
  • An aerial view of a sailboat anchored in clear turquoise waters near a coral reef with patches of seaweed and underwater formations, with small islands on the horizon under partly cloudy sky.

JULY TO OCTOBER

Five days on the water

Each morning, we leave Vava’u in search of humpback whales.

There is no set route and no scripted encounter. We follow the conditions, the whales and what is unfolding on the water that day.

You may find a mother resting quietly with her calf. A curious juvenile may approach. Males may compete for the attention of a female. Or you may hear the song of a humpback carrying through the water before you ever see him.

When the conditions and the whales allow, you enter the water. And the perspective changes completely.

IN THEIR WORLD

Among the giants

Seeing a humpback whale from a boat is one thing. Seeing one underwater is something else entirely. The scale. The movement. The quiet.

A mother can hover almost motionless below while her calf rises to the surface to breathe. A curious whale may turn towards you and choose to come closer.

These are wild animals and every encounter is different. We don't control what happens. That is what makes it extraordinary.

  • Every encounter is guided by Tonga’s whale watching regulations and the direction of your licensed whale guide. When entering the water with whales, guests must remain at the surface and follow the instructions of their guide at all times. Freediving or diving down towards, alongside or beneath the whales is not permitted.

    These guidelines are there to protect the whales, respect their natural behaviour and ensure everyone in the water has a safe and responsible encounter.

THE SWGG DIFFERENCE

More time. More space

Our Tonga expeditions are limited to a maximum of six guests.

It means more space on the boat, more time with your guides and greater opportunity to experience the water without feeling like part of a crowd.

With five dedicated days on the water, the experience isn't built around a single encounter. There is time to search, observe and understand.

MAXIMUM 6 GUESTS • 5 DAYS ON THE WATER • 7 NIGHTS IN VAVA’U

LIFE ON THE WATER

A day in Vava’u

Your day begins with the ocean ahead.

After breakfast, we head into the islands and channels of Vava’u, following the conditions and signs of whales. There is no fixed route. We might find a mother and calf resting in a sheltered bay, a competitive group or a curious juvenile. When the moment is right, we enter the water.

Between encounters, there’s time to explore reefs and caves, snorkel and have lunch on the boat.

By afternoon, we return to Vava’u with salt in our hair and stories from the day.

There’s time to unwind over dinner before we head out and discover it all again tomorrow.

Photography in the water

BEHIND THE LENS

Tonga offers extraordinary opportunities to photograph humpback whales in clear water and at close range.

Our wildlife photographers are there to help you anticipate behaviour and make the most of each encounter, whatever camera you bring.

But there’s never an expectation to have a camera in your hands. Sometimes the photograph can wait.

A person swimming underwater near a right whale with a large body and prominent head.

ISLAND LIFE

Your home in Vava’u

For seven nights, Vava’u becomes home.

Premium waterfront accommodation is included in your expedition, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner and airport transfers within Vava’u.

It means the logistics are taken care of, leaving the week to revolve around what you came for. The whales.

EXPLORE YOUR STAY →
  • A wooden deck overlooking a body of water with trees and sailboats in the distance, partially shaded by a roof, with a round table and several chairs with blue cushions.
  • A sailboat anchored near a lush, green, tropical shoreline with numerous houses and dense vegetation, overlooking a calm blue body of water under a cloudy sky.
  • Interior view of a dining area and kitchen with wooden dining table and chairs, open shelving, a white refrigerator, and tropical plants visible through window louvers.
  • A view through trees of a wooden dock extending over water, with a staircase leading down to it, surrounded by dense green foliage.
  • A bedroom with two beds, one with a white mattress and the other with a striped bedspread, large windows with wooden shutters, a ceiling fan, and a mirror on the wall.
  • View of a boat on calm water with a forested hillside in the distance, seen through a large open window of a porch with outdoor furniture and a white railing.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights in Vava’u
    Premium waterfront accommodation with Wi-Fi.

  • 5 days on the water
    Boat, experienced crew and guide dedicated to searching for and encountering humpback whales.

  • Maximum 6 guests
    Small groups designed to maximise your experience on and in the water.

  • All meals
    Breakfast, lunch onboard and dinner throughout your expedition.

  • Photography guidance
    Practical guidance from experienced wildlife photographers.

  • Marine biology
    Learn more about humpback behaviour, migration and the marine environment.

  • Reefs & caves
    Opportunities to snorkel Tonga's coral reefs and caves throughout the week.

  • Airport transfers
    Transfers to and from Vava’u airport are included.

THE VESSEL

Purpose-built for exploring Vava’u

Your days on the water are spent aboard a comfortable vessel designed for exploring Vava’u and encountering humpback whales. With plenty of space to move around, uninterrupted views and easy access to the water, everything is set up to make the most of your time at sea.

You’ll be joined by an experienced local crew and licensed whale guides who know these waters intimately and understand the behaviour of the whales that return here each year.

Between encounters, settle into the rhythm of island life as you cruise between Vava’u’s sheltered islands, explore coral reefs and sea caves, and take in one of the South Pacific’s most remarkable marine environments.

There’s plenty of room to prepare camera gear, shaded seating when you want a break from the sun, and everything you need for a safe and comfortable day on the water.

Person in a red bikini sitting on a boat at the water's edge, wearing a diving mask, with a divers underwater gear and a person scuba diving beneath the surface, near a tropical coastline with lush green hills.

THE SWGG APPROACH

Five days. A deeper understanding.

Five days on the water gives you time to observe, learn and understand the behaviour unfolding around you, with photography and marine biology woven into the experience.

No two weeks in Tonga are the same, and no encounter can be promised. What we bring is 25 years of experience and a team that knows how to make the most of each day.

The whales decide what happens next.

THE JOURNEY TO TONGA

They’ve travelled thousands of kilometres to be here

The whales you meet in Tonga have travelled thousands of kilometres from their Antarctic feeding grounds. They come here to breed, give birth and raise their young before eventually beginning the journey south again. For one week, you get to experience a small part of that extraordinary cycle. Not from the shoreline. Not only from a boat. In the water with them.

A humpback whale's tail is emerging from the ocean, with snow patches on it, under a clear blue sky.

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

Come for the adventure. We’ll take care of the rest

SWIM WITH HUMPBACK WHALES

Get in the water with Tonga's gentle giants.

HEAR THE WHALES SING

Experience humpback song beneath the surface.

SNORKEL CORAL REEFS

Explore the reefs and marine life of Vava’u.

EXPLORE UNDERWATER CAVES

Discover another side of Vava’u beneath the surface.

HIKE MT TALAU

Climb to the summit for panoramic views across Vavaʻu’s harbour, islands and surrounding ocean.

CITIZEN SCIENCE & CONSERVATION

Get involved in local conservation activities, like eBird surveys or harbour clean-ups to explore Vava’u and support local conservation.

PHOTOGRAPH THE WILD

Capture extraordinary encounters above and below the water.

Explore the islands, bays and waterways that make this place so special.

DISCOVER VAVA’U

More to explore

These experiences are not included in your expedition price and are booked separately with local operators.

SCUBA DIVING

Explore coral reefs, caves and the underwater world of Vava’u.

KAYAKING

Paddle through Vava’u’s sheltered waterways and around its islands.

ISLAND TOURS

Discover more of Vava’u’s villages, landscapes and local culture.

Swim with humpback whales in Tonga

Seven nights. 5 days on the water. A maximum of 6 guests