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2011
Expeditions & Prices in Tonga - Updated
on 30 August 2010 |
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Vava'u Tonga |
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Each Itinerary is just below each tour information - and can be downloaded and printed
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List of WhaleSwim Tours 2011 and spaces available
July/August 2011
1061 A 22 July - 1 Aug Paradise Islands Experience A 9 days/10 nights (12 spaces)
August 2011
1011 A 5 - 13 Aug Whales in Paradise A 7 days/8 nights (6 spaces)
1050 A 15 - 19 Aug 4-day WhaleSwim 4 days/4 nights (8 spaces)
1041 A 19 - 27 Aug Paradise Islands Adventure A 7 days/8 nights (12 spaces)
1061 B 26 Aug - 5 Sept Paradise Islands Experience B 9 days/10 nights (12 spaces)
September 2011
1011 B 6 - 14 Sept Whales in Paradise B 8 days/9 nights (8 spaces)
1031 A 7 - 17 Sept Photography Small Group A.........9 days/10 nights (4 spaces)
1011 C 16 - 24 Sept Whales in Paradise C 7 days/8 nights (8 spaces)
1031 B 21 Sept - 1 Oct Photography Small Group B 9 days/10 nights (5 spaces)
1041 B 23 Sept - 1 Oct Paradise Islands Adventure C 7 days/8 nights ( 12 spaces)
October 2011
1061 D 30 Sept - 10 Oct Paradise Islands Experience D 9 days/10 nights (12 spaces)
Please note: The whaleswimming guidelines in Tonga - allow ONLY 4 people and a guide in the water with the whales at one time.
12 Guest tours:
Over the past 9 seasons - we have found 3 groups (12 people) on the boat are a perfect number, especially if you are not super-fit AND you still get lots of time in the water with the whales!
8 Guest tours:
With the 2-groups (8 people) tours - guests need to be fitter, as there is more swimming and getting up the ladder required.
5 Guest tours:
For the 5 people-group tours, you need to be very fit as lots of swimming and getting in and out of the boat is required!
CLICK HERE for 2011 Schedule with prices
Our tours during the 'high' tourist season (August/September) are at a higher price due to higher boat prices during this time period.
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#
1041 A "Paradise Islands Adventure A'
Spaces
Available: 12
Date: 19 - 27 August 2011
Click Here for 1041A Itinerary
# 1041B "Paradise Islands Adventure B'
Spaces Available: 12
Date: 23 Sept - 1 October 2011
Location: Vava'u
Tonga
Prices: Dble/twin share AUD$3,500 per person
Single room: AUD$4,500 (2 only)
Deposit: AUD$1500 pp
(When paid, our Trip Preparation Bulletin with be
sent - has everything you need to know!)
No. of Guests: 12
Days on the water: 6 days out with the whales
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 5 nights at Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort ( in the whale nursery) and 3 nights Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows on Utu'gnake Island (12 mins from Neiafu town) (Click
Here for accommodation information)
Tour includes: Welcome Lunch & Farewell dinner, 8 nights accommodation, all meals at Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort, breakfast at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows, 6 boat trips to the whales with lunch,
education and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves,1 day at leisure, boat and airport transfers
in Vava'u and airport transfers between international
& domestic terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: 2 evening meals while staying at Mystic Sands, International & domestic airfares to Vava'u, travel
insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days.
Click Here for 1041B Itinerary
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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# 1061 A 'Paradise
Islands Experience A'
Spaces Available: 12
Date: 22 July - 1 August
2011
Price: Double/twin Share: AUD$3,750
per person
Single room: AUD$4,500 (2 only)
Click Here for 1061A Itinerary
# 1061 B 'Paradise
Islands Experience B'
Spaces Available: 12
Date: 26 August
- 5 September 2011
Price: Double/twin Share: AUD$3,900
per person
Single room: AUD$4,770 (2 only)
Click Here for 1061B Itinerary
# 1061 C 'Paradise
Islands Experience C '
Spaces Available: 12
Date: 30 Sept - 10 October
2011
Price: Double/twin Share: AUD$3,750
per person
Single room: AUD$4,500 (2 only)
Click Here for 1061C Itinerary
Location: Vava'u
Tonga
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: 6 nights Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort & 4 nights at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows
(Click
Here for accommodation information)
Tours include: 10 nights accommodation, Welcome lunch & all meals at Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort and breakfast at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows, 7 boat trips to the whales with lunch,
education and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves, 2 days at leisure, boat and airport transfers
in Vava'u and airport transfers between international
& domestic terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: 3 evening meals while staying at Mystic Sands, International & domestic airfares to Vava'u, travel
insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days.
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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# 1011A 'Whales in Paradise A'
(These tours have 8 guests ONLY)
Spaces Available: 8
Date: 5 - 13 August 2011 (double/twin share room only available)
Click
Here for #1011A Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1011B 'Whales in Paradise B"
Spaces Available: 8
Date: 6 - 14 September
2011 (double/twin share room only available)
Click
Here for #1011B Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
# 1011C 'Whales in Paradise C "
Spaces Available: 8
Date: 16 - 24 Sept 2011 (double/twin share room only available)
Click
Here for #1011C Tour Itinerary (.pdf file)
Price: Double/twin Share only: AUD$3,980
per person
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Deposit: AUD$1500
No. of Guests: 8
Days at Leisure: 1
Days on the water: 6
days
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 4 nights Reef Resort on Kapa Island & 4 nights Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort
(Click Here for accommodation
information)
Tour includes:
Welcome Lunch, 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
transfers 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.
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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#
1031 A 'Photography Small
Group A' with Darren Jew - Australia's Best Wildlife Photographer
(5 guests ONLY)
Spaces Available: 4
Date: 7 - 17 September
2011
Click Here for 1031A Tour Itinerary
#
1031 B 'Photography Small
Group B' with Darren Jew - Australia's Best Pro Wildlife Photographer
(5 guests ONLY)
Spaces Available: 5
Date: 21 September
- 1 October 2011
Click Here for 1031B Tour Itinerary
Price: Double/twin Share AUD$4,360 per person (twin share rooms can be arranges for single travelers)
Single room: AUD$4,920
per person
Click Here for detailed information
Accommodation: 10 nights
at Mystic Sands Beach Bungalows (Click
Here for accommodation information)
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Deposit: AUD$1500
No. of Guests: 5
Days on the water: 8
days
Days at Leisure: 1
Boat: Dream Catcher
Both Tours include: Welcome & Farewell Dinners, 10 nights accommodation with breakfasts at Mystic Sands, 8 days on the water with lunch, camera & photography sessions with Darren Jew, a 900x600mm image of your choice printed on canvas including shipping, education
and guidance in the water, snorkeling pristine
reefs and caves, boat transfers and airport transfers in Vava'u and airport
transfers between international & domestic
terminals in Tongatapu.
Tour does not include: 8 evening meals while staying at Mystic Sands - this allows you a choice of catering at Mystic Sands or different restaurants in Neiafu or the traditional Tongan Feast & lunch on your leisure day, International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
travel insurance, snorkeling equipment and wetsuit/vest,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, activities
on leisure days.
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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# 1051 '4-Day Whaleswim
A' (Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco Resort)
Spaces Available: 8
Date: Date: 15 - 19 August 2011
Click Here for 1051A Tour Itinerary
Location: Vava’u
Tonga
Price: Double/twin Share AUD$2,080
per person
Single room: AUD$2,380
per person
Deposit: AUD$600
No. of Guests: 12
Days on the water: 4
days with the whales
Boat: Makaira
Accommodation: 4 nights
at Treasure Island Eu'eiki Eco 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 & boat transfers to/from Eu'eiki Island.
Tour does not include: International & domestic airfares to Vava'u,
airport transfers, travel insurance, snorkeling
equipment and wetsuit/vest, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages.
PLEASE NOTE:
A shorter tour time, unfavourable weather conditions
and/or shy whales can mean that many whale-swimming
opportunities do not arise during a 4 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 for a short holiday
in Tonga, WhaleSwim Adventures is happy for you to book extra accommodation in our booking system BUT we cannot
act as travel agents and give advice on activities
or accommodation outside of your tour 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) 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:
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
Flying Coconut Jet Kayak Tours
A two and half hour guided tour that you'll never forget...
One of the most unique vehicles you’ll ever operate, the Jet Kayak Tour is your chance to be the first kid on the block to drive a motorized kayak – hop on top, rev up the engine, and go! The boat design allows us to take visitors places previously unseen by tourists here in the Kingdom of Tonga. Your expert guide will show you things that’ll knock your socks off - although you really shouldn’t plan on wearing socks anyway. Bring your camera and prepare to take in the sights.
Contact Lisa, Ben or Jason
email: jetkayaktours@gmail.com
phone: (+676) 758-4088
Kart Safaris
You will get to see all Vava'u has to offer on this three hour tour; from stunning lookouts and beaches to remote villages and tropical plantations. See Vava'u in an exciting & unique way. You hop in the driver's seat & follow the guide on a tour along dirt tracks through the Tongan bush, the way no other tour can.
Tours take you along mostly dirt roads, all over the main island. This is a great way to see some unique spots that you can't normally access. Be prepared to get wet rolling through those puddles! One and two-seater karts are available. Karts include harness seats, helmets, optional clothing, and a dry place to stow your personal gear.
Contact Lisa VavauAdventures@yahoo.com
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Important
Information:
Please read this column before you book your Tour
. . .
Terms & Conditions
of Booking a Whaleswim Adventure
-
Online Book your Tour require a non-refundable
deposit within 14 days (prior to 1 April) & within 7 days after 1 April to confirm
a reservation. AUD$1500 for 7 & 9 day tours and AUD$650 for 3 & 4 day tours.
-
Payment (Australian Dollars
only) in full is required 70 days prior to your
WhaleSwim adventure and is non-refundable.
-
Re-scheduling and substitution
of guests is permitted with approval of WhaleSwim
Adventures.
-
A Liability Waiver must be signed
by each guest & returned to our office,within
14 days of booking your WhaleSwim Adventure
tour.
-
Travel Insurance - which includes
Trip, Airfare Cancellation and Accident - is
mandatory. Otherwise a No Liability Insurance
Waiver must be signed.
-
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.
-
The booking is binding and all
payments are non-refundable.
-
Prices may change due to currency fluctuations, (even after payment is made in full), schedule, content changes or circumstances
beyond the control of WhaleSwim Adventures.
-
All tours are paid for in Australian
dollars only.
-
These are ecological holidays,
Whaleswim Adventures reserves the right to ask
any participants to leave the group should he/she
behaves in a way that is insensitive to the
whales, the environment, local people, our staff
or other group members. No refund will be given.
- Should bad weather prevent our whalewatching vessel NOT to go out on a 'whale watching' day, no refunds or extra day whalewatching will be offered by Whaleswim Adventures.
-
Children under 13 years old
are not accepted on our tours
-
If the minimum bookings of 6
people on 8 guest tours and 8 people on 12 guest tours are 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 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.
________________________________
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.
___________________________________
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
Kelvin
Aitken
Gary
Bell
Dolphin Pacific Diving
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