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2008
Expeditions & Prices in Tonga - Updated
on 8 May April 2008 |
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To print a 2008 Tour Schedule below - Click Here |
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Vava'u Tonga |
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Our 2009 tour schedule - CLICK HERE |
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The
WhaleQuest Foundation
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List of Whaleswim Tours 2008
(and spaces available)
July 2008
1068 A 25 July - 4 August Paradise Islands Experience A 12 guests ......( 3 spaces) (single rooms FULL
also available: 1 x female twin share/room-mate
This tour is during the new King's Coronation - it will be a great time to be in Tonga with all the celebrations - lots of whales during this time too!
/August 2008
1058 A 5 - 8 August 3-Day Whaleswim A 12 guests (this tour is fully booked)
1078A 8 - 16 August Paradise Islands Deluxe A 6 guests (3 spaces) 1 single only
1068 B 8 - 18 August Paradise Islands Experience B 12 guests ...... (4 spaces )
1018 A 22 - 30 August Whales in Paradise A 8 guests ...... .(
2 spaces )single rooms FULL
September 2008
1048 B 29 Aug - 6 Sept Paradise Islands Adventure B 12 guests's. .(
2 spaces ) single rooms FULL
1068 C 5 - 15 Sept Paradise Islands Experience C 12 guests... . (
5 spaces - 1 single room only
1038 A . . . . 12 - 22 Sept Photography Small Group A........... 5 guests ( 1 space )
1058 C 16 - 19 Sept 3-Day WhaleSwim C 12 guests .. ( 4 spaces )
1018 B 19 - 27 Sept Whales in Paradise B 8 guests (this tour is fully booked)
1068 D 26 Sept - 6 Oct Paradise Islands Experience D 12 guests ..... ( 8 spaces ) This tour is
available for families as it is school holidays in QLD, NSW and NZ - we will accept children 10 years & over.
October 2008
1058 D 7 - 10 Oct 3-Day WhaleSwim 12 guests ....(7 spaces ) This tour is
available for families as it is school holidays in QLD, NSW and NZ - we will accept children 10 years & over.
ClickClick here to download and print our 2008 Tour Schedule (with information and prices)
Details for each tour
below
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Tour Information |
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"Paradise Islands Adventure'
#
1048 B
Spaces
Available: 2
Date: 29 August - 6 September 2008
Location: Vava'u
Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share AUD$3,300
per person Single room:AUD$3,800 FULL
Deposit: AUD$1500
per person
No. of Guests: 12
Deposit: AUD$500
Days on the water: 6 days out with the whales
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 4 nights at
Vava'u Harbourview Resort, 4 nights Blue Lagoon Resort (Click
Here for accommodation information)
Tour includes: Accommodation, all meals, 6 boat trips to the whales,
education and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves, days at leisure and airport transfers
in Vava'u and airport transfers between international
& domestic terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u, travel
insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days, airport departure tax ($25 Pa'anga).
Click
here for detailed general information about our tours
& Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here for payment information
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# 1068A 'Paradise
Islands Experience A'
Spaces Available: 3
Date: 25 July - 5 August
2008
Click
here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1068 B 'Paradise Islands
Experience B'
Spaces Available: 4
Date: 8 - 18 August 2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1068C 'Paradise
Islands Experience C'
Spaces Available: 4 (single rooms sold out) - for single travelers - we can find a room mate for twin share
Date: 5 - 15 September
2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1068D 'Paradise
Islands Experience D' This tour can be booked for families with children 10 years+
Spaces Available: 8
Date: 26 September
- 6 October 2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
Location: Vava'u
Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share AUD$3,700
per person Single room:
AUD$4,250 (2 only)
Deposit: AUD$1500
(When paid, our Trip Preparation Bulletin with be
sent - has everything you need to know!)
No. of Guests: 12
Days at Leisure: 2
Days on the water: 7
days
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: First 4 nights at
Hilltop Hotel, 5 nights Blue Lagoon Resort & last night at Hilltop Hotel (Click
Here for accommodation information)
Tour includes: Accommodation, all meals (except lunch on one leisure day), 7 boat trips to the whales,
education and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves, days at leisure and airport transfers
in Vava'u and airport transfers between international
& domestic terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u, travel
insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days, airport departure tax ($25 Pa'anga).
Click
here for detailed general information about our tours
& Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here
for payment information
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# 1078A 'Paradise Islands
Deluxe A' (for just 6 guests)
Spaces Available: 1 (single only)
Date: 8 - 16 August 2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1078B 'Paradise Islands
Deluxe B' (for just 6 guests)
Spaces
Available: NOT AVAILABLE
Date: 22 - 30 August 2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
Location: Vava'u, Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share: AUD$3,850
per person FULL Single room: AUD$4,500 (2 only)
Deposit: AUD$1500
No. of Guests: 6
Days at Leisure: 1
Days on the water: 5
days with the whales
Boat: Maris King
Accommodation: 4 nights
at the Blue lagoon Resort & 4 nights at the Reef Resort (Click Here
for accommodation information)
Tour includes: accommodation, all meals, education and guidance
in the water, snorkeling pristine reefs and caves,
2 days at leisure, a Tongan Feast, Dancing and Kava
Ceremony and airport transfers in Vava'u and airport
transfers between international & domestic terminals
in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
travel insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days, airport departure tax ($25 Pa'anga).
Click
here for general information on our tours &
Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here for payment information
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# 1018 A 'Whales in Paradise A'
Spaces Available: 2
Date: 22 - 30 August 2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1018 B 'Whales in Paradise B'
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share only: AUD$3,750
per person
Deposit: AUD$1500
No. of Guests: 8
Days at Leisure: 1
Days on the water: 6
days
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: First & last night at
Hilltop Lodge & 3 nights Reef Resort & 3 nights Blue Lagoon Resort
(Click Here for accommodation
information)
Tour includes:
Accommodation, all meals, 6 boat trips to the
whales, education and guidance in the water, snorkeling
pristine reefs and caves, 1 day at leisure, boat
transfer from Blue Lagoon Resort and airport
transfers in Vava'u and airport transfers between
international & domestic terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
travel insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days, airport departure tax ($25 Pa'anga).
Click
here for general information on our tours &
Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here
for payment information
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#
1038 A 'Photography Small
Group A' (5 guests ONLY) Click Here for detailed information
Spaces Available: 1
Date:12 - 22 September
2008
Click
Here for this Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1038 B 'Photography Small
Group B' (5 guests ONLY)
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share
AUD$4750 per person
Single room:AUD$5,120
per person
Deposit: AUD$1500
No. of Guests: 5
Days on the water: 8
days
Days at Leisure: 1
Boat: Maris King
Accommodation: 6 nights
at Vava'u Harbourview Resort & 4 nights at the
Reef Resort on Kapa Island. (Click
Here for accommodation information)
Tour includes:
Accommodation, all meals (except lunch on the
leisure day), photography advice (optional) education
and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves, a Tongan Feast, Dancing and Kava
Ceremony and airport transfers in Vava'u and airport
transfers between international & domestic
terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include:
International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
travel insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days, airport departure tax ($25 Pa'anga).
Click
here for general information on our tours &
Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here
for payment information
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# 1058A '3-Day Whaleswim
A' (Hilltop Hotel)
Spaces Available: THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED
Date: 5 - 8
August 2008
Click
here for your tour itinerary at Hilltop Hotel (.pdf file)
# 1058 D '3-Day Whaleswim
D' (Hilltop Hotel)
Spaces Available: 4
Date: 7 - 10 October
2008
Click
here for your tour itinerary at Hilltop Hotel (.pdf file)
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Price: Hilltop Hotel Double/twin Share AUD$1,200
per person Single room:AUD$1,380
per person
Deposit: AUD$600
No. of Guests: 12
Days on the water: 3
days with the whales
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 3 nights
at Hilltop Hotel (Click Here
for accommodation information)
Tour includes: Accommodation, breakfast & lunch only,
education and guidance in the water, snorkeling
pristine reefs and caves.
Tour does not include: Dinners, International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
airport transfers, travel insurance, snorkeling
equipment and wetsuit/vest, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages, airport departure tax $25 Pa'anga.
# 1057B '3-Day Whaleswim
B' (Blue Lagoon Resort)
Spaces Available: NOT AVAILABLE
Date: 19 - 22 August
2008
Click
here for your tour itinerary at Blue Lagoon Resort (.pdf file)
# 1058 C '3-Day Whaleswim
C' (Blue Lagoon Resort)
Spaces Available: 6 (2 x single rooms are available)
Date: 16 - 19 September
2008
Click
here for your tour itinerary at Blue Lagoon Resort (.pdf file)
# 1058 D '3-Day Whaleswim
D'(Blue Lagoon Resort)
Spaces Available: 4
Date: 7 - 10 October
2008
Click
here for your tour itineraryat Blue Lagoon Resort (.pdf file)
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Price: Blue Lagoon Resort - Double/twin Share AUD$1,520 Single room:AUD$1,750
per person
Deposit: AUD$500
No. of Guests: 12
Days on the water: 3
days with the whales
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 3 nights
at Blue Lagoon
Resort (Click Here
for accommodation information)
Tour includes: Accommodation, all meals from lunch on first
day to breakfast on last day, education and guidance in the water, snorkeling
pristine reefs and caves.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
airport transfers, travel insurance, snorkeling
equipment and wetsuit/vest, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages, airport departure tax $25 Pa'anga.
PLEASE NOTE:
A shorter tour time, unfavourable weather conditions
and/or shy whales can mean that whale-swimming
opportunities do not arise during a three day
tour. We DO NOT guarantee that you will swim with
whales over this time period, however, our commitment
is to do the best we can to get you in the water!
This tour is designed as an 'add-on' to your holiday
in Tonga, therefore WhaleSwim Adventures can not
act as travel agents or booking agents for activities
or accommodation outside of your tour time with
us. You can book your Tongan domestic flights
with your travel agent or online with the airlines,
(check our How to Get to Tonga page for flight information) and any extra accommodation and airport transfers
online independently at www.tongaholiday.com
or through your travel agent. Check our Accommodation page for information on good quality accommodation - we have inspected all accommodation in Tonga - and only advise these properties. Book others at your own risk!
Click
here for general information on our tours &
Vava'u
Click
Here for How to Get to Tonga
Click
Here to Book this Expedition
Click
Here
for payment information
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Extra Activities in Vava’u
WhaleSwim Adventures are proud to be associated with:
Outriggers in Paradise!
Add a short tour to your experience in Vava'u
3 hour Sunset Tour (with cool drinks & nibbles) AUD$65 pp or a
1–day Island Discovery Tour AUD$99 pp (A day paddling across crystal clear water in stable outrigger canoes. Visit uninhabited islands, snorkel the Japanese gardens, enter Swallows cave & refuel with a scrumptious lunch. Plenty of chances for swimming, snorkeling and witnessing the amazing sea life so abundant in the island waterways. A moderate level of fitness and swimming ability is required).
You can also book
'Under the Tongan Stars’ tour AUD$380 pp (overnight)
‘Getaway’ tour (3 nights) AUD$1100 pp
For more information go to http://www.outriggerstonga.com/
Contact Rae for details and booking rae@whaleswim.com
Dolphin Pacific Diving!
Add a few days scuba diving or book a dive for one of your ‘leisure days’ during your tour with us.
Come and join us for some of the best diving the South Pacific has to offer!
Pristine reefs, amazing caverns, swim throughs and an abundance of marine life await divers from novice to experienced; we even have a 110m long wreck on our doorstep.
All our dive activities are guided by full qualified PADI Dive masters or Instructors.
In addition to this they offer Diver training and Progression.
They are Specialists in Professional and high quality courses at our in house training facility.
With up to date multi media facilities they can offer
• Discover Scuba – for those that want to see what it’s all about.
• Open Water Scuba Diver – gaining the internationally recognised PADI qualification.
• Advanced Open Water PADI qualification.
• Rescue Diver and Dive Master training.
http://www.dolphinpacificdiving.com/ Contact Rae for booking rae@whaleswim.com
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Important
Information:
Please read this column before you book your Tour
. . .
Terms & Conditions
of Booking a Whaleswim Adventure
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Online Book your Tour reservations
will be held for 14 days. The non-refundable
deposit is required within 14 days to confirm
a reservation.
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Payment (Australian Dollars
only) in full is required 70 days prior to your
WhaleSwim adventure and is non-refundable.
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Re-scheduling and substitution
of guests is permitted with approval of WhaleSwim
Adventures.
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A Liability Waiver must be signed
by each guest & returned to our office,within
14 days of booking your WhaleSwim Adventure
tour.
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Travel Insurance - which includes
Trip, Airfare Cancellation and Accident - is
mandatory. Otherwise a No Liability Insurance
Waiver must be signed.
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All rates and conditions are
subject to change. If payments are not received
at the designated times, WhaleSwim Adventures,
reserves the right to sell those spaces in question
with forfeiture of all monies to date.
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The booking is binding and all
payments are non-refundable.
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Prices may change due to currency
fluctuation, schedule changes or circumstances
beyond the control of WhaleSwim Adventure
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All tours are paid for in Australian
dollars only.
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These are ecological holidays,
Whaleswim Adventures reserves the right to ask
any participants to leave the group should he/she
behave in a way that is insensitive to the whales,
the environment, local people, our staff or
other group members. No refund will be given.
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Children under 13 years old
are not accepted on our tours
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If the minimum bookings of 6
people is not reached 10 weeks prior to departure
of each expedition, then WhaleSwim has the right
to cancel the expedition and refund any monies
paid to them or transfer guests to another expedition.
Any airfares booked and paid for by the guest
should be covered by their travel insurance.
-
WhaleSwim tours can only be referred through travel agents, they can only be booked directly with WhaleSwim Adventures
________________________________
Trip Preparation Bulletin
Everything you need
to bring and to know for your expedition with the
whales!
A fully comprehensive
12 page document will be available to download from
our website once you have booked and paid your deposit
for your tour.
_______________________________
Need to purchase NEW Snorkeling Gear?
The best online shop is www.leisurepro.com
All products can be purchased online and they courier internationally You can pay via Paypal too! They have all the latest AquaGlide fins (US$21.95), silicone purging masks and Ultra Dry snorkels - some items are on special!
 
Hire or Purchase a
WhaleSwim Neoprene Snorkeling Vest
Our specially designed 3mm neoprene snorkeling vests
are available to hire or purchase.
Hire Prices: AUD$30
for 7 or 9-day tours or AUD$20 for 3 day tours - please
order with your Tour booking.
Purchase price:
AUD$60 - to be ordered with Tour booking.
Many of our guests purchase them for other snorkeling
holidays!
________________________________
Our Children Policy
We welcome children on our tours however
there is certain criteria that is in place. The
child/children must be 13 years and over,
quiet in nature, be a confident swimmer and snorkeler,
happy to converse with adults and be able to be in
a confined space for 6 – 7 hours and not need
constant stimulation.
As there are mainly adults on our expeditions, their
personal space must be respected and they are not
on their special holiday to be ‘baby-sitters’
nor are our WhaleSwim staff. Therefore the parent/parents
must be responsible for their teenagers at all times.
PLEASE NOTE: Our tour 1068D Paradise Islands Experience 26 Sept - 6 Oct is during the school holidays in NSW & NZ and we have opened this tour to families with children 10 years old and over.
___________________________________
Dietary Requirements
The foods available
in Tonga are very fresh and simple with lots of carbohydrate.
Most specialist foods are not available here.
If you are
wheat or lactose intolerant, a vegan or strict vegetarian,
then you will need to bring most of your dietary requirements
with you.
Only wheat-based bread,
mostly white is served everywhere, (a rye/wheat bread
is available - but it's usually stale by lunchtime!)
and most meals served in restaurants and at the resorts
contain dairy products, meat or fish. All dairy products
and red meats are imported, however fresh locally-caught
fish or chicken is plentiful and delicious.
There is a limited
range of seasonal fruit and vegetables available.
From August to October there is an abundance of fresh
bananas, pineapples, papaya and watermelon. Locally-grown
beans, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, potatoes, cucumber,
capsicum and some lettuce, are generally the only
vegetables available. Carrots do come into season
in September & October. Tongan traditional vegetables
such as taro, cassava, yams, sweet potato and tapioca
are always in plentiful supply. White rice and pasta
dishes are also often served for evening meals.
Please complete
the booking form with your dietary requirements -
this is important as we need to inform our caterers,
the resorts and restaurants.
_______________________________
Our Photography
Expeditions
Designed especially for Professional Photographers
and Photography Enthusiasts!
Over the past 5 years WhaleSwim
Adventure have hosted photographers from around the
world on our special Photography expeditions. Some of he
best pro-photographers in the world have found our
group size and boats perfect for getting the perfect
shot.
Join Darren Jew - Wildlife photographer on one of our Photographer tours. Just 5 guests and 8 days out with the whales!
Here are some links to our guest website's.
Mike Hill
Francois
Gohier
Darren
Jew
Scott
Portelli
Kelvin
Aitken
Gary
Bell
Outriggers in Paradise
Dolphin Pacific Diving
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