As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Here, is where you find vavau island which is a hot spot for humpback whale action. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. The majority of operators are on the island of vavau which has an international. Today there are between 35 and 50 licensed whale watching vessels in tonga.
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. I take groups to tonga on vacation and beluga diving is by far the favorite dive company. Spots are limited so booking well ahead of time is required. The first humans in vavau islandhopped from nearby islands around 2,000 years ago. Aug 11, 2016 swimming with hump back whales in vavau, tonga. Most of the yachting community visiting tonga stays in vavau. 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. Diving vavau diving in vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. Thus, it is concluded, that a resumption of whaling in tonga. 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. The boatyard it is located in an old quarry more info. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau. Watch for humpback whale spouts, spyhopping and breaching while enjoying an educational briefing from an informed local guide. The most popular activity in vavau is whale watching. The warm waters surrounding vavau make ideal calving and mating grounds for the magnificent humpback whale. The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away.
We are glad we did, the day we went out it was a little rough and there werent many whales around, but allen found them. Whale watch vavau neiafu all you need to know before. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga. The domestic flight is approximately 55 minutes and is scheduled daily, with the exception of sunday. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of neiafu known as the port of refuge harbour is a common destination for.
We were lucky enough to swim with this mum and baby in august 2015. We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. Vavau is accessible by air from tongatapu, utilizing tongas domestic airline service, real tonga ltd. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. What are the best hotels with a pool in vava u islands.
Join us for an unrivaled experience in vavau, tonga, one of the worlds most pristine and unspoiled spots for whale swimming. This is one of the few places in the world where you can. Whale waters tonga 9 photos scuba diving center neiafu. The vavau island group in the northern part of the kingdom of tonga in the south pacific. I hear that haapai has as many whales as vavau and is easier to get to so why would one choose vavau over the. 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. Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. The tongan beach resort the tongan resort tongan holidays. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993. Whales in the wild swimming with humpback whales in vava. Please inform the reef resort vavau in advance if you want to use this service, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation. Mounu island is a tiny island off the coast of tonga and is a tropical paradise.
There is no better place on earth to enjoy worldclass diving, snorkelling, whale watching, kayaking, fishing, sailing, secluded beaches, translucent water and peaceful surroundings. Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales. Whales in the wild swimming with humpback whales in vavau. For guests convenience, tongan beach resort provides a personal meet and greets service on your arrival at vavau airport. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being. Thats because humpback whales gather in the waters of the island to give birth every year. The best things to do in vavau islands 2020 with photos.
Being the longest running whale watching company in vavau you should think that they were also the best. The growth of whalewatching internationally has been spectacular. Whale swim beluga have an experience you will never forget swimming with the worlds largest mammal. Economic activity derived from whalebased tourism in vavau, tonga. In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and read more. 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. 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. Tonga to limit number of tourists swimming with whales each year. Divingswimming with great white sharks filmed for the first time carcharias the great white 2000 duration. Beluga diving vavau neiafu 2020 all you need to know. Vavau, kingdom of tonga, is a wellestablished whalewatching destination in the south pacific. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi magic chart.
New research from northern tonga is showing that tourism is disturbing the natural behaviour of humpback whales. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy. 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. Tonga humpback whale swim acanela expeditions acanela. 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. Whale watching in vavau this is a must do in tonga. Spanish navigator don francisco antonio mourelle discovered the vavau islands in 1781, just a few years after cook landed on tongas main island, tongatapu.
We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. This account has reached the download cap, additional downloads subject to. They are believed to have come from as far west as new guinea and indonesia. Port of refuge villas vavau we are that little extra in extraordinary fully furnished vacation houses on a hill with magnificent views of the ocean and the morning sunrise. 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. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. Whale swimming at vava u tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. 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. Welcome to the official vavau destination facebook page. Only snorkelling is allowed with the whales as they dont like divers bubbles, and its hard to keep up with whales on scuba. The kingdom of tonga is comprised of several islands that speckle a small portion of the vast ocean. Whale swimming is one of the most popular activities in the islands of vavau, with more than 15 whale swimming tours to choose from. View topquality stock photos of humpback whale calf vavau tonga.
From july october each year, the humpback whales migrate from antartica to the warmer waters of tonga. Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 250 km 150 miles north of tongatapu. 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. Children under 12 years of age travel free of charge. Humpback whales migrate past tonga during the season from the last week of july thru to the end of october. Whale watch vavau neiafu 2020 all you need to know. 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.
Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at vavau. 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. 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. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau archipelago. Vavau is situated in the northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga. Whale watching can be less expensive in haapai when compared to vavau. Geologically they are similar to niue, with very little reef and very deep. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean. 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.
Vavau islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Home our boat the whales the islands whale swimming contact general vaka vave whale swim charter. Its the travel destination for those looking to get off the beaten trail. Jul 18, 2017 quest tours is returning to tonga once again, our 17th season. Whale watching in vava u this is a must do in tonga. You will have a great time with an awesome crew and see the best there is. What are the best hotels with a pool in vavau islands. Whale watching boat tours are readily available for visitors. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience. With that, vavau and tonga are among some of the only islands you can swim with these majestic creatures in their natural element, making for a lifechanging yet humbling experience. Offering pristine beaches, untouched islands and all year round activities like diving, sailing, fishing and whale swimming. Pacific ocean, vavau, tonga, tonga whale swimming at.
Nikki even invited me for dinner and let me watch videos and a movie in their house. Keywords tourism, whalewatching, economic impacts, tonga, vavau. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. 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. Quest tours is returning to tonga once again, our 17th season. Whale watch vavau neiafu all you need to know before you.
Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. 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. Kirsty bowe owns a whale swimming business in tongas vavau group of. After reading trip advisor we decided to go with whale watch vavau run by alan bowe, to swim with the whales. We also offer amazing dive spots for those keen scuba divers when visiting vava u tonga. Welcome to the spectacular islands of vavau in the kingdom of tonga. Tonga is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with whales up close. Sea kayaking activities and tours are also available. I took freediving lessons on gili air, indonesia specifically for this. The best things to do in vavau islands for travel after. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. Vava u islands, tonga, south pacific offer visitors activities such as sailing and sail charters, diving, deep sea fishing and whale watching. Whale swimming at vavau tonga, all the whale swim companies pick you up by boat from your resort. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and.
Some of the most popular hotels with a pool in vava u islands include mystic sands, tongan beach resort, and the paradise international hotel. Which company do you recommend for snorkling and swim with whales. 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. 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 vava u in advance if you want to use this service, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation.
Swimming with humpback whales, vavau tonga youtube. Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. Times are tough for the travel community right now. Vava u is the third most northern group of islands. 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. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau. Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. 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. 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. 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. Some of the most popular hotels with a pool in vavau islands include mystic sands, tongan beach resort, and the paradise international hotel. Home location diving trips whale swimming padi dive courses campingtrips gallery other links. Swim with the whales in tonga with dolphin pacific diving.