THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

• SNORKELING WITH HUMPBACK WHALES IN CLEAR WARM WATER

• SMALL GROUP TOURS – MAXIMUM OF 6 PEOPLE ON ANY TOUR

• OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN TONGA

• LICENSED GUIDES THAT UNDERSTAND WHALE BEHAVIOUR

• INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND MARINE BIOLOGISTS LEADING TRIPS

• DIVERSITY OF WILDLIFE/MARINE LIFE

As the humpbacks arrive in large numbers to breed and give birth, you will bear witness to one of nature’s great events. The crystal clear waters of Vava’u are the perfect place for nurturing mothers teaching their calves how to be whales – the curious calves explore their environment and seek out interactions with the new world they have entered. This tour, with small groups and extremely experienced and friendly crew, gives you the best chance to interact with lively calves and nurturing mothers lazing their days away in the crystal clear water around the Islands.

We embark at 7:00am every day from your resort for a full day of humpback whale swimming, stopping only for lunch and to admire this marine sanctuary and snorkel pristine coral reefs. You will encounter boisterous males, nurturing females and energetic calves, and may be lucky enough to join large groups of pursuant males on a heat run, or experience the eerie beauty of a singing male.

These gentle giants of the sea give birth in the tropical waters of Vava’u and Ha’apai to ensure the safety of their new born calves. You will be witness to the bond between mother and calf and the unique behaviour that can only be experience by observing these amazing creatures in their natural environment. Award-winning photographer Scott Portelli will share what he has learnt in his 25 years of experience photographing these amazing animals, and the best secret spots to visit. Your day is filled with excitement and admiration only stopping to explore the coral gardens, impressive caves and abundant marine life that inhabits Tonga.

Scott Portelli has spent thousands of hours in remote locations across the globe filming and photographing nature, wildlife, the underwater environment and wild places.

Some of his recent accolades include:

Winner in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 and 2024

Highly commended at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the year in London in both 2016 & 2022,

Winner of Diversity Portfolio in HIPA Awards 2023

1st  Place Winner as part of a team representing Australia at the World Photographic Cup 2021.

Winner at the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2021  in the Other Animals category.

Winner in the Human & Oceans category at the Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year awards 2021

“Vava’u is a special place, a magical place and we have Scott Portelli to thank for sharing this part of his life with us, as well as the incredible people of Tonga for making us feel so welcome.

Extraordinary and indescribable are two words that come to mind when attempting to retell the experience of swimming with humpback whales. The pristine blue and turquoise waters allows you to greet these enormous, yet curious mammals and literally meet them eye to eye.

To swim alongside these gentle giants is a humbling experience and it’s the skill and experience that Scott and his crew bring that makes all of it possible. The knowledge that Scott shares and his passion for everything to do with the oceans is infectious. His humble dedication and commitment to environmental sustainability and protection is admirable.

If you’re one of the few who get to experience this magical place with Scott and his team, consider yourself really really lucky. We can’t wait to do it all over again.” – Louise Tran

Read more of our testimonials