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