Greetings to all our families, friends, and fellow whale watcher wannabes. Tonga is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to have the unique experience of swimming with humpback whales. Come aboard our fast modern vessel and witness these giants attending their new born calves and performing spectacular breaching and mating rituals. Geologically they are similar to niue, with very little reef and very deep. Tongan beach resort is located in the beautiful vavau island group, north of tongatapu. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. Tonga is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with whales up close.
Tonga, the beautiful and undiscovered country in the south pacific. 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. Kirsty bowe owns a whale swimming business in tongas vavau group of. Offering pristine beaches, untouched islands and all year round activities like diving, sailing, fishing and whale swimming.
The main island of vavau is spread across an area of 115 square kilometres and is home to tongas. The tongan beach resort is in the enviable position of being able to offer unique whale watching experiences to our guests. Keywords tourism, whalewatching, economic impacts, tonga, vavau. Vavau is situated in the northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga.
View mother whales basking with their newborn calves it is not guaranteed because we are subject to the pattern of migratory whales, additionally this is the beginning of the season in vavau. Each year our islands are visited by magnificent humpback whales that arrive in july to give birth and wean their young. How to swim with whales in tonga be my travel muse. The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away. Whaleswim adventures has been operating since 1999 guiding groups to swim with the humpback whales in vavau, tonga and now in moorea, tahiti since 2016.
Download the full account of the tongan archipelago imma using the fact sheet. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau archipelago. Take the opportunity to swim with whales as well as many other marine species in and around coral reefs. 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. Vavau is the third most northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga, and hosts 42 limestone islands filled with marine life, snorkel sites, white sandy beaches and is home to the south. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga. Welcome to the spectacular islands of vava u in the kingdom of tonga. Please inform the reef resort vava u in advance if you want to use this service, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation. Activities in vavau, vavau islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching.
Tonga to limit number of tourists swimming with whales each year. The tongan beach resort the tongan resort tongan holidays. Watch for humpback whale spouts, spyhopping and breaching while enjoying an educational briefing from an informed local guide. A group of sailors will be assisting in the transportation and delivery, medical professionals will be partaking in the delivery of services. Swimming with humpback whales vavau tonga duration. We pride ourselves in providing top class accommodation and food, attention to details that makes our guests experience unforgettable and we provide the best experience possible each day in. We were lucky enough to swim with this mum and baby in august 2015. Whaleswim adventures has been operating since 1999 guiding groups to swim with the humpback whales in vava u, tonga and now in moorea, tahiti since 2016.
Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales. Sea kayaking activities and tours are also available. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at. This is one of the few places in the world where you can actually get in the water and swim with whales in the wild. Swimming with humpback whales in tonga, one of the least visited countries in the world, was one of the most impressive experiences, mostly because you can get up and close with these majestic animals in the complete wildness of the ocean. They are believed to have come from as far west as new guinea and indonesia. A killer whale called luna a life does not have to be human to be great. We have found it to be a very safe place to live having been in tonga for more than 20 years. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see the. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. Opposed the selection of his halfbrother, mataele haamea.
Children under 12 years of age travel free of charge. Whale watching and swimming with humpback whales the tongan beach resort is in the enviable position of being able to offer unique whale watching experiences to our guests. Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean. Here, is where you find vavau island which is a hot spot for humpback whale action. The joys of solo traveling is that you can decide anytime to change plans. The waters in front of our resort are on the seasonal migration path of the humpback whales and these magnificent mammals can.
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 kingdom of tonga is comprised of several islands that speckle a small portion of the vast ocean. Journey out for the day into the pristine waters of tonga. Not only because the experience is truly amazing but also because the more revenu the whale watching business generates the higher a priority we hope the government will give to whale conservation.
Phoenix and lulutahi are equipped with a hydrophone to listen to the whales, as well as a viewing platform, toilet, and snorkelling equipment. There is no better place on earth to enjoy worldclass diving, snorkelling, whale watching, kayaking, fishing, sailing, secluded beaches, translucent water and peaceful surroundings. Thus, it is concluded, that a resumption of whaling in tonga. 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. Its the travel destination for those looking to get off the beaten trail. Mounu island is a tiny island off the coast of tonga and is a tropical paradise. As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. One of the top spots is vavau in tonga, though other islands nearby have whales as well, and fewer tourists. 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. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first licence from the tongan government in 1993. Welcome to the official vavau destination facebook page.
We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. Transfers between vavau airport and the resort are available for an additional charge of usd 37 one way, per person, including the taxi and boat trip. Transfers between vava u airport and the resort are available for an additional charge of usd 37 one way, per person, including the taxi and boat trip. Vava u is the third most northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga, and hosts 42 limestone islands filled with marine life, snorkel sites, white sandy beaches and is home to the south. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy. Join us for an unrivaled experience in vavau, tonga, one of the worlds most pristine and unspoiled spots for whale swimming. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. Swimming with humpback whales, vavau tonga youtube. Spots are limited so booking well ahead of time is required. Having just returned from an amazing 7days on mounu island has changed our lives forever. Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. 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. Whale waters tonga 9 photos scuba diving center neiafu. Being in the water with these incredible creatures is something you should do at least once in your lifetime.
Welcome to the spectacular islands of vavau in the kingdom of tonga. In vavau this habitat is important for all sex and ageclass groups of whales. Swimming with whales in vavau tonga treasure island tonga. The waters in front of our resort are on the seasonal migration path of the humpback whales and these magnificent mammals can often be seen with their young from june to november. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 250 km 150 miles north of tongatapu.
In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and eyeballed me. Vavau, tonga as a result, today it is the oldest and last remaining polynesian monarchy, and its culture remains strong, even in the face of modernization. Its unique charm and beauty creates this true jewel of the south pacific as an exciting destination. 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. 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.
Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. All about vavau for those who enjoy the tranquil tropical break in idyllic surroundings, vavau is a must. Whale watching in vavau this is a must do in tonga. I took freediving lessons on gili air, indonesia specifically for this. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. That said, most trips span a week with 7 hours of each day, with the exception of sundays, out on the water. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau, tonga. Please inform the reef resort vavau in advance if you want to use this service, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation. Tonga was a last minute addition to my pacific trip. 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. With kiwi magic tours, you can get right up close with humpback whales on our small, private guided tours.
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. Sea mercy is a floating health care clinic to remote islands of tonga. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. The boatyard it is located in an old quarry more info. Spanish navigator don francisco antonio mourelle discovered the vavau islands in 1781, just a few years after cook landed on tongas main island, tongatapu. Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they dont like divers bubbles, and its hard to keep up with whales on scuba. Whale swimming at vava u tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. Emigrated to the island of vavau with three of his younger brothers and a nephew, where he set up an independent court and was recognised as tui vavau. The first humans in vavau islandhopped from nearby islands around 2,000 years ago. New research from northern tonga is showing that tourism is disturbing the natural behaviour of humpback whales.
Swimming with humpback whales vavau tonga whaleswim by simon backman. A large population of humpback whales gathers around vavau islands in tonga between july and october. 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. The vavau group, regarded as tongas most scenic, has some 34 islands, of which only 21 are inhabited. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at vavau. Aug 11, 2016 swimming with hump back whales in vava u, tonga. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993. Today there are between 35 and 50 licensed whale watching vessels in tonga. Whale swimming at vavau tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. When i was in fiji i was having an incredibly amazing time and decided that i would rather stay for an extra 3 weeks in the area before heading back. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau. Usually we download all our grib files using the iridium go. The whales leave the open ocean to give birth to their calves in the warm and protected tranquil waters of vavau. In addition to being a cultural capital, it is a fantastic place to view a wide array of wildlife, especially in the crystalclear lagoon, where divers can see to a depth of feet.
Jul 18, 2017 swimming with humpback whales vavau tonga duration. Whale watching in vava u this is a must do in tonga. View mother whales basking with their newborn calves it is not guaranteed because we are. Activities in vava u, vava u islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Every year from july to november the whales complete their migration from the cold feeding waters south of new zealand and australia, to the warmer tropical waters of tonga where they give birth to calves and perform courtship readying themselves for the next season. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi magic chart. Swimming with humpback whales will be one of the more lifechanging experiences of your life should you choose to do it. Sea mercys initial efforts will be centered around vavau and its islands and was based from my place in vavau. Humpback whales are wild animals and since the boats dont feed or coax them into interactions, there are never any guarantees. Tongan archipelago marine mammal protected areas task force.
The best things to do in vavau islands 2020 with photos. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see. These whales come to the vavau island group each year from july to october. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience. Which company do you recommend for snorkling and swim with whales. Enjoy a boat ride through the pristine inland waterways of the vavau island group. The early days were a real learning curve as there was nowhere else in the world we could seek advice. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau.
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