Swim with whales

EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF CONNECTING WITH THESE GENTLE GIANTS

Alongside our highly experienced guides, Dive into crystal-clear waters and witness the grace, power, and beauty of the humpbacks as they breach, sing, and nurture their young IN TONGA’s WATERS.

small groups. big whales.

Here at Dolphin Pacific Diving, we pride ourselves on creating the most memorable encounters we can. After you have travelled so far, ensuring you have the best possible opportunity to swim with these incredible animals is important to us. With small group sizes limited to 7 guests, you'll have plenty of chances to connect with the whales, all on their terms.

Our commitment is to provide a magical experience while respecting the whales’ well-being, abiding by Tongan laws, and avoiding any harassment. It’s our pleasure to deliver the experience of a lifetime!

On every tour, you'll be guided by experienced local skippers and professional whale guides who prioritize both your safety and the whales’ welfare.

Each day on the water is a new adventure. From hearing the enchanting songs of humpback whales to witnessing majestic full-body breaches, playful calves with their mothers, or males competing for a mate, every moment is unforgettable. The more days you spend with us, the more you’ll have the chance to observe.

We ask you to bring your own mask, fins and wetsuit - preferably ones you are comfortable and familiar with. A light complimentary lunch is also included.

For detailed information about what to expect, please see our Frequently Asked Questions below.

FAQs

  • WHAT AIRLINES FLY TO TONGA?

    The easiest way to get to Vava'u is by taking a flight from Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, or from nearby Fiji. Tongatapu has connecting flights to Auckland (New Zealand) and Sydney (Australia), and or you can fly directly to Vava’u from Nadi in Fiji.

    For more information on flights, don’t hesitate to reach out and we can give you personalised assistance.

  • WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO SEE THE WHALES?

    The whales will start to arrive in Vava’u in late June and some will remain well into November. Peak season can be considered between Mid July and Mid October.

    WHAT KIND OF WHALES DO YOU SEE IN TONGA?

    Humpback whales are the main attraction, however we are sometimes lucky enough to encounter Pilot whales, various types of Dolphin and if you are really lucky we may come across a whale shark!

    DO YOU GUARANTEE SEEING WHALES?

    As we are working with whales in their natural habitat we can never guarantee sightings. However, it would be very unusual to not see a whale at all after a few days on the water.

    DO YOU GUARANTEE BEING ABLE TO SWIM WITH THE WHALES?

    On any given day, we can never guarantee swimming with a whale. We are dependent on the movements and behaviours of the whales themselves and other influencing factors such as weather and sea conditions. We will never harass a whale to facilitate a swim and we will abide by the laws of the Kingdom of Tonga in permitted interactions. We do have very experienced staff that are well versed in working with the whales and identifying those that may want to interact with us.

    It is very important to understand that we recommend that people spend a minimum of 3 days on the water to get the interaction they are hoping to get. Every day is different and presents new and exciting forms of whale behaviour, above and below the water.

    HOW LONG IS THE BOAT TRIP?

    The boat will depart at approx 7.30am, returning anytime between 2 and 4pm depending on the day and interactions we may have had. We are permitted to spend 7 hours out on the water each day.

    HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU HAVE ON A BOAT?

    We run smaller more intimate tours, offering our clients the best chance of swimming with the whales. There will be a maximum of 7 guests per boat .

    WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T SEE WHALES?

    In the unusual occurrence that we don’t see whales, you can rest assured that we will show you some of Tonga’s other ocean wonders. This includes taking you to some of the most stunning snorkel spots in Vava’u including secluded beaches and hidden caves.

  • WHAT EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED?

    We ask that you bring your own mask, fins and snorkel. We would also highly recommend bringing your own wetsuit.

    DO I NEED A WETSUIT?

    We insist that all of our guests wear a wetsuit for safety and to keep you warm during longer periods in the water.

    CAN I BRING MY OWN FREEDIVING GEAR?

    Yes, please feel free to bring your own gear.

  • DOES THE BOAT HAVE SHADE?

    All the boats we operate have shade. We would still however suggest you bring sun cream and a hat for protection from the beautiful Tongan sun.

    DO I NEED SEA SICKNESS TABLETS?

    If you have the slightest hint that you may suffer from sea sickness, we ask that you bring some tablets with you. There is a local pharmacy that sells them, but stocks cannot be guaranteed.

    DO I HAVE TO BE A GOOD SWIMMER?

    To get the most out of this experience, you need to be confident in the water and be able to use a mask, snorkel and fins. We are happy to give you a refresher on how to use your kit before we jump in with the whales so you feel as comfortable and confident as possible.

    IS THE BOAT SAFE?

    The boats all meet local survey standards, have life jackets and are equipped with all necessary safety equipment. We are also never working too far off shore or away from other boats.

    HOW MANY STAFF WILL BE ON THE BOAT?

    There will be a minimum of two staff on the boat - a qualified skipper and a qualified whale guide. In most cases these will be a local Tongan crew. Please note the crew can occasionally be quite shy as is the Tongan nature but will love to answer any questions about their culture, island home and heritage.

    DO I NEED ANYTHING ELSE?

    We ask that you please bring your own towel as well as sunglasses and any other items that will keep you sunsafe and comfortable. Polarized sunglasses can also help spotting the whales in the water!

    WHAT CLOTHES SHOULD I BRING ON THE BOAT?

    We suggest that you wear your swimming gear on board and something dry for after your encounters. You may wish to bring some warm clothes and a jacket with you to Tonga as it can get cold on the boat especially if it becomes rainy or overcast and windy.

    CAN I KEEP THINGS DRY ON THE BOAT?

    Yes, on all the boats there is an area to keep clothes and other things such as cameras dry.

  • DO WE NEED TO BRING FOOD ON THE BOAT?

    We will provide a light complimentary lunch prepared by our incredible professional chef Andrea. She cooks up all kinds of delightful treats to fuel you through a day of whale swims, including her famous baked goodies.

    If you have quite the appetite you can feel free to bring additional food with you.

    DO YOU CATER FOR SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?

    Yes! Andrea is able to cater for most dietary requirements given enough time to prepare. Please let us know when you book if you have specific needs.

    DO WE NEED TO BRING WATER WITH US?

    Yes, please bring your own refillable water bottle for the long days on the boat!

“Unbelievable experience! If you go to Tonga, you need to do this. The only negative is that it leaves you wanting more time swimming with the whales! I can see why people book a whole week now. Also, Dolphin Pacific was a pleasure to deal with. Nice, professional ownership and great, personable, and knowledgeable guides.”

BOOK YOUR TONGA
WHALE SWIM EXPERIENCE

Bookings are managed by our partners at Blue Vagabonds. Click on the link below to confirm your spot and view availability!

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