Weather during the whale season is generally sunny and dry, tempered by the tradewinds. Whales in the wild swimming with humpback whales in vava. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see. Only 40 islands are inhabited, so it is easy to imagine yourself on one of the deserted islands and become friends with the local sea life. The first humans in vavau islandhopped from nearby islands around 2,000 years ago. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. We found nikki and paea to be incredible hosts and very welcoming, so im sure youll enjoy them. The group is comprised of coral atolls, small sandy islets and larger uplifted limestone formations. The tongan beach resort the tongan resort tongan holidays. 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. The maze of islands create the perfect environment for your whale swim. Enjoy a boat ride through the pristine inland waterways of the vavau island group. Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales.
The beautiful, sheltered, islands of vavau are the rendezvous point for the annual migration of humpback whales escaping the harsh antarctic winter. Located on the remote kapa island, reef resort vavau offers bungalowstyle accommodations directly opposite the japanese coral garden, a popular snorkeling spot. 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. Opposed the selection of his halfbrother, mataele haamea. Its the travel destination for those looking to get off the beaten trail.
As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Children under 12 years of age travel free of charge. 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. 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. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news. We have found it to be a very safe place to live having been in tonga for more than 20 years. 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. Rise and fall of vavau whale watch industry matangitonga. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. 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.
The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. The kingdom of tonga is comprised of several islands that speckle a small portion of the vast ocean. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. 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. Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. If a vessel finds itself within a 300m radius of a whale, the vessel must slow to 4 knots until 300m away. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at. Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they dont like divers bubbles, and its hard to keep up with whales on scuba. The joys of solo traveling is that you can decide anytime to change plans. Swimming with humpback whales, vavau tonga youtube. Offering pristine beaches, untouched islands and all year round activities like diving, sailing, fishing and whale swimming. 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.
Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau. 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. More from july october each year, the humpback whales migrate from antartica to the warmer waters of tonga. How to swim with whales in tonga be my travel muse. 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. Sea mercy is a floating health care clinic to remote islands of tonga. By far the best accommodations in vavau, probably all of tonga. 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.
Here, is where you find vavau island which is a hot spot for humpback whale action. Humpback whales are wild animals and since the boats dont feed or coax them into interactions, there are never any guarantees. They are believed to have come from as far west as new guinea and indonesia. Tongan beach resort is located in the beautiful vavau island group, north of tongatapu. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international. Join us on one of our exclusive, 4 people whale safari tours.
With 176 islands to explore, you will be spoiled for choice in the kingdom of tonga. The fale is not near the town but you likely arent coming to vavau for the city life anyways. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga ncbi. Vavau, kingdom of tonga, is a wellestablished whalewatching destination in the south pacific. Whale watching in vavau this is a must do in tonga. The vavau group of islands lie some 160 miles north of the main island of tongatapu.
Offering pickups from most resorts in vava u, vaka vave charters is a good goto for whale swimming in tonga. Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean. A group of sailors will be assisting in the transportation and delivery, medical professionals will be partaking in the delivery of services. We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. 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. 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. Vavau is situated in the northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga. Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye.
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. Watch for humpback whale spouts, spyhopping and breaching while enjoying an educational briefing from an informed local guide. Tonga to limit number of tourists swimming with whales each year. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993. With kiwi magic tours, you can get right up close with humpback whales on our small, private guided tours. 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.
A large population of humpback whales gathers around vavau islands in tonga between july and october. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau. Everything is included, from the snorkelling gear and wetsuits to lunch and snacks. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is. Spanish navigator don francisco antonio mourelle discovered the vavau islands in 1781, just a few years after cook landed on tongas main island, tongatapu.
Geologically they are similar to niue, with very little reef and very deep. Today there are between 35 and 50 licensed whale watching vessels in tonga. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau, tonga. The islands whale swim whale watch tonga with vaka vave. New research from northern tonga is showing that tourism is disturbing the natural behaviour of humpback whales. Quest tours is returning to tonga once again, our 17th season. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. That said, most trips span a week with 7 hours of each day, with the exception of sundays, out on the water. One of the top spots is vavau in tonga, though other islands nearby have whales as well, and fewer tourists. The best things to do in vavau islands for travel after. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience.
Behavioural responses of humpback whales to vessel and swimming tourism. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. Phoenix and lulutahi are equipped with a hydrophone to listen to the whales, as well as a viewing platform, toilet, and snorkelling equipment. The early days were a real learning curve as there was nowhere else in the world we could seek advice. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see the. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 250 km 150 miles north of tongatapu. 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. Which company do you recommend for snorkling and swim with whales.
The protected waters close to the sea cliffs and islands provide an ideal environment for the birth of each years. Tonga time zone and map with current time in the largest cities. Sea mercys initial efforts will be centered around vavau and its islands and was based from my place in vavau. The kingdom of tonga is known as the friendly islands. 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.
Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. The boatyard it is located in an old quarry more info. I took freediving lessons on gili air, indonesia specifically for this. Vaimalo fale is tucked away on a beautiful cove with private islands a short walk away. 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. Please inform the reef resort vavau in advance if you want to use this service, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation. View mother whales basking with their newborn calves it is not guaranteed because we are. Tonga is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with whales up close. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy. All vessels both private and commercial, underpower or undersail, operating within the vavau group during whalewatching season must take care to remain outside a 300m radius of a sighted whale.
We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. Tonga was a last minute addition to my pacific trip. Kirsty bowe owns a whale swimming business in tongas vavau group of. 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.
Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga. Its unique charm and beauty creates this true jewel of the south pacific as an exciting destination. Humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae migrate annually from antartica to vavau, tonga from july to october. First off, fabulous staff, dedicated to personal attention and providing a great experience for all guests. Whale swimming at vavau tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. We were lucky enough to swim with this mum and baby in august 2015. 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. They operate a fast modern 10m 34ft vessel, getting you out to the whales fast and comfortably. 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. Join us for an unrivaled experience in vavau, tonga, one of the worlds most pristine and unspoiled spots for whale swimming. Tonga, the beautiful and undiscovered country in the south pacific. There is no better place on earth to enjoy worldclass diving, snorkelling, whale watching, kayaking, fishing, sailing, secluded beaches, translucent water and peaceful surroundings.
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