Vavau is quite well known for superb whale swims, but since i arrive in tongatapu and only have one week, i wonder if it would be sufficient to just stay at tongatapu. The capital is neiafu, and has a population of around 6000 people. If you are going to vavau for a few days or even a year, you have come to the right place. Snorkeling with humpback whales in tonga is such a singular experience that i began running guided trips there every year, to show other ocean lovers just how amazing these animals are. How to swim with whales in tonga be my travel muse. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy. We were lucky enough to swim with this mum and baby in august 2015. Vavau, kingdom of tonga, is a wellestablished whalewatching destination in the south pacific.
This file is licensed under the creative commons attribution 2. A breaching humpback whale off the coast of vavau, tonga gentle giants every year, from june to november, humpback whales make their way into the protected port of refuge. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to. Kiwi magic is a licensed whale swim operator in vavau, kingdom of tonga, one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
From july october each year, the humpback whales migrate from antartica to the warmer waters of tonga. Vavau holiday homes specialize in holiday home rental in the vavau islands group in northern tonga. I am going to tonga in september mainly for swimming with humpback whales. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first licence from the tongan government in 1993. Let mv ashlee g and mv kalo take you on the experience of a lifetime, whale watchingswimming in the beautiful waters of the vava u islands, tonga. Being the longest running whale watching company in vava u you should think that they were also the best, but we were very disappointed. Our holiday homes offer a unique, relaxing holiday experience. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of neiafu known as the port of refuge harbour is a common destination for yachties sailing the south pacific.
Limited is a tonga based company with a certified whale watching and swimming license. Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they dont like divers bubbles, and its hard to keep up with whales on scuba. Vavau islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Check out our price list and then secure your spot on one of our boats for a truly unforgettable experience in vavau tonga with dolphin pacific diving. Vavau the whales of vavau 2019 vavau is an island group of one large island and 40 smaller islands in tonga. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. Our brand new yacht, reellife caters for groups between 4 and 12 guests. Vavau is the best place in tonga for the most inwater encounters with humpback whales as the majority off the tongan humpback population, mate and give birth on this latitude. Whale watching snorkeling kayaking a flight from tongatapu, tongas capital, brings us to an island set in the outer archipelago of tonga that sees few visitors. Join us on an adventure tour to vavau, an island in the kingdom of tonga that is considered to be the best place in the world to swim with humpback whales. Kirsty bowe owns a whale swimming business in tongas vavau group of. Swimming with whales in vavau tonga treasure island tonga. My husband and i booked four days of whale swims with whales in the wild and i wish we had been able to do more. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls.
The warm waters surrounding vavau make ideal calving and mating grounds for the magnificent humpback whale. From may to october, the port of utu vavau welcomes sailing boats from all over the world to dive with birthing humpback whales and explore underwater caves. Tonga to limit number of tourists swimming with whales each year. This whale was singing for 15 minutes before coming closer to show off for the camera. Widely regarded as the kingdoms number one tourist hotspot. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. Kiwi magic whale swim tonga videos whale swimming in vavau, tonga.
One of the top spots is vavau in tonga, though other islands nearby have whales as well, and fewer tourists. A breaching humpback whale off the coast of vava u, tonga gentle giants every year, from june to november, humpback whales make their way into the protected port of refuge. This is where you see most of the photos and get most of the information about swimming with the whales in tonga. Doug allans amazing whale encounters in tonga while filming for the incredible bbc blue planet series. Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. Sometimes a lone whale was seen, sometimes 23 whales together adults or calves. Sea kayaking activities and tours are also available. Snorkeling with humpback whales in tonga scuba diver life. The tongan government allows tourist swimming activities with whales and tour operators strongly promote the practice of swimming. Last week we introduced you to the island of vavau in tonga s north. After clearing customs and immigration, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for checkin and to enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the island of vavau tonga.
Whale waters tonga 9 photos scuba diving center neiafu. A surprise diving encounter with a giant humpback whale duration. Whale watching tourism in the kingdom of tongaa report for the international fund for animal welfare and operations cetaces. Cruises to vavau neiafu, tonga royal caribbean cruises. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. This guide has been put together to provide information for yachts and vessels prior and during their stay in vava u.
Tonga, vavau, vavau holiday homes, vavau island property services. On the south side of the island group, it is dissolved into many. We will be operating out of the port of refuge harbour, which is. Whale and dolphin watching in the pacific islands region phase 2. These gentle giants give birth and then care for their young, waiting for them to grow. This is a limited offer trip with only 8 spaces available in the best part of the whale season when the young calves are most playful. Whale swimming at vava u tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. Whale swimming vavau vs tongatapu or eua tonga forum. Buy humpback whales, vavau, tonga by erik schlogl as a classic tshirt, tri blend tshirt, graphic tshirt, chiffon top, sleeveless top, aline dress. We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. The most complicated part of snorkeling with humpbacks in tonga. Vava u is the third most northern group of islands. In the kingdom of tonga, whalewatching activities began in 1994 and focus on a small population of humpback whales utilising the waters around vavau as.
The whales of vavau, 2019 swimming with humpback whales. Visitor facts for visiting in vava u islands, tonga. Join us for an unrivaled experience in vavau, tonga, one of the worlds most pristine and unspoiled spots for whale swimming. Tourist boats impeding maternal bond of vavaus humpbacks rnz. Megaptera novaeangliae watching activities in vavau, tonga. If you just wanted to take a day off from fishing, kiwi magic has been associated with the whale watch industry in vavau, kingdom of tonga since 1991. We also offer amazing dive spots for those keen scuba divers when visiting vavau tonga. The main island of utu vavau is 97 square kilometres 37 sq mi, the second largest island in tonga. This amazing footage from our 2012 archive shows what its like to go whale swimming in vavau. Now, when it comes to swimming with whales in tonga, most people assume you need to head up north to vavau.
Our days on this palmfringed island follow the rhythm of the whales and the weather. I went with deep blue diving and we sighted hunpback whales 810 times and swam with them 5 times. Its the travel destination for those looking to get off the beaten trail. Taufatahi charters is a local ecotourism business offering a chance to swim with humpback whales in the tongatapu waters. The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away. While theres plenty of sun, sand and surf to tempt the. This pristine archipelago brings together an unparalleled combination of island life steeped in centuries old culture with spectacular marine diversity. Which company do you recommend for snorkling and swim with whales. There was an unseasonably cold wind blowing in from what felt like every direction. Id say we even were within 1020 m of the whales at times. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales. Whale watch vavau neiafu all you need to know before you. Diving in vavau dive the best kept secret in the south pacific diver training.
When keith, the ownerskipper, first noticed humpback whales breaching and lazing in vavau waters, he decided to add whale watching to his license. Spend seven full days snorkeling with humpback whale mothercalf pairs on their calving grounds in the polynesian country of tonga, and explore coral gardens off the coast of vavau. The best things to do in vavau islands 2020 with photos. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at vavau. Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. These months are the best time for whale watching as well as the unique opportunity to swim with a humpback mother and her calf. Getting up close and personal with these magnificent animals is a once in a lifetime experience and we recommend whale watching in va vau to all our visitors. Let mv ashlee g and mv kalo take you on the experience of a lifetime, whale watchingswimming in the beautiful waters of the vavau islands, tonga. Kiwi magic whale swim tonga whale swimming in vavau. Here you will find a selection of rental houses that we currently represent. Every year from july to october the whales complete their migration from the feeding grounds of antarctica to the warmer tropical waters of tonga where they give birth to their calves and perform courtship readying themselves for the next season. New research from northern tonga is showing that tourism is disturbing the natural behaviour of humpback whales. When fishing, these whales are able to be seen during a normal day an added and impressive attraction.
Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. Swim with the whales in tonga with dolphin pacific diving. Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international. This photograph taken on august 4, 2008 shows a humpback whale diving near the island of vavau in tonga. A large population of humpback whales gathers around vavau islands in tonga between july and october. Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. Tongan cruising guide vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international airport and is the centre of whale watch tourism, but a smaller number of operators offer tours from tongatapu, eua and haapai. Keywords tourism, whalewatching, economic impacts, tonga, vavau. Pat and keith mckee, expat new zealanders, with their vessel kiwi magic have been operating in the waters of vavau since 1991.
Kiwi magic is a licensed whale swim operator in vava u, kingdom of tonga, one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is the operator of choice for bbcs life and. Tonga humpback whale swim acanela expeditions acanela. I paid 300 tonga paanga for this full day trip and lunch as well as snorkeling gear was included. Whale watch vavau neiafu 2020 all you need to know. In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and read more. The vavau island group is known to be the prettiest island group in the kingdom of tonga, and mala island is considered to be the jewel of vavau as a true private island paradise.
We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. Vavau is situated in the northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga. Jul 26, 2017 there were some real highlights in the trip such as hearing the whales sing, following a pod and snorkelling in the swallows cave but be prepared for rude comments over the two way with a female from base camp such as when we asked for wet suits our size this is all i could. Vavau rises 204 metres above sea level at mt talau. What its like to swim with humpback whales in vavau, tonga i was sitting on the back of the boat in all black wearing a full steamer wetsuit, fins, snorkel and mask. Mala island, vavau tonga island resorts tongan island. View topquality stock photos of humpback whale calf vavau tonga. Vava u islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. These tonga tours are operated by the tongan beach resort in vavau new zealand yacht charters ltd in association with whaleswim adventures ltd.
Aug 11, 2016 swimming with hump back whales in vavau, tonga. Whales in the wild neiafu 2020 all you need to know. Hundreds of whales stop at haapai each year between july and october and as haapai is further south geographically many whales wishing to travel to vavau have to pass through haapai first anyway. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. Peace and privacy awaits you in this new house toula village. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience. Orams centre for tourism research, massey university, albany, private bag 102 904, north shore msc, auckland, new zealand the vava u island group in the northern part of the kingdom of tonga in the south pacific has a growing reputation as a whale watching destination.
Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean. A glimpse at how to watch humpback whales underwater. However, the assumption that it is the only or best place to swim with whales in tonga is false. The cluster of 50 hilly coral islands with palmfringed shorelines is separated by protected waterways teeming with life, and is home to some of the friendliest people in the kingdom of tonga. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that.
We went out with them for two consecutive days, and there were several things we reacted on. Humpback whales are wild animals and since the boats dont feed or coax them into interactions, there are never any guarantees. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga. It has the best and most beautiful powered sand beach in all of tonga and is truly a south pacific offshore private island dream destination. The island of vavau is big enough to be interesting and small enough to get to know it. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993. Vavau international airport via nadi, fiji afternoon.
Treasure island resort is located on eueiki island in the northern island group of vavau, tonga and is open all year around. As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Join dive ninjas october 1424, 2020 for a very special expedition to swim with the humpback whales of vavau, tonga. That said, most trips span a week with 7 hours of each day, with the exception of sundays, out on the water. Humpback whales, vavau, tonga art print by eschlogl redbubble. Diving vavau diving in vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. Whale waters tonga is the idea to create a world class, self sufficient eco dive retreat, focusing on scuba diving, free diving, yoga, meditation and. With kiwi magic tours, you can get right up close with humpback whales on our small, private guided tours. This account has reached the download cap, additional downloads subject to. As each day unfolds, you never know which whale gifts may be in store. Based at fangafoa marina just a five minute walk from the centre of neiafu town, beluga diving offers a range of exciting dive tours and padi dive courses, and now has a whale watch license.
Between july and october, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for oceania humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae. Offering pristine beaches, untouched islands and all year round activities like diving, sailing, fishing and whale swimming. Today there are between 35 and 50 licensed whale watching vessels in tonga. Vavau is the best location for whale watching in tonga and is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whales. Swimming with humpback whales, snorkeling in coastal caves and week on little inhabited island. We provide professional tours with experienced guides for whale watching and swimming with the whales.
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