1032 Photography Enthusiasts Tours with Darren Jew
       
Australia's Best Wildlife Photographer - 2010, 2009, 2007 Canon/AIPP Australian Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year and AIPP Master of Photography.

For more about Darren and camera gear advice - go to www.darrenjew.com

CLICK HERE
To see Canon Professional's interview "1/200th of a Second with Darren Jew" - its truly wonderful . . . .

For more about Darren and camera gear advice - go to www.darrenjew.com

Spring is coming and curious calves are confident and somewhat independent. Mothers are trusting and the water is filled with excitement as these gentle giants display a multitude of behaviours. Its perfect time for photography enthusiasts to capture wonderful images and learn the best, light, angles and to make the best of the images they capture during their 8 (or 6) days on the water with the whales. Darren is a great person and will assist you as much or as little as want. The opportunity is here for photographing other species of whales and dolphins too! Its a fun trip! Check out his BLOG from 2010 season. http://www.darrenjew.com/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/index.html


Tour # 4    1032 A     10 - 21 August 2012     10-days/11 nights  Spaces Available: 5
Costs:
Twin share: AUD$4,960 per person
There are 4 rooms available 2 dble/twin & 2 single rooms
(Return domestic airfares can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY)

Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 6 people = 2 x groups of 3 people with Darren in the water at one time – this allows more room in the water for getting best images and providing time and opportunity to shoot surface activity..

Tours A Includes: 11 nights accommodation at exquisite newly-renovated Talau House and all meals (prepared By Theresa, ex-owner of Reef Resort); 8 days on the water with the whales, 2 days at leisure (no whaleswimming or any other activities are permitted in Tonga on Sundays) camera tuition & post-whaleswim photo sessions daily with Darren; a 900x600mm image of your choice printed on canvas including shipping; education and guidance in the water; snorkelling around pristine reefs and caves; airport transfers in Vava'u and airport transfers between terminals in Tongatapu.

Tour # 5   1032B      22 - 30 August 2012           7 days/8 nights        Spaces Available: 4
 
Costs:
Per Person: AUD$4,300 per person
There are 4 rooms available 2 dble/twin & 2 single rooms
(Return domestic airfares can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY) )
 (Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 6 people = 2 x groups of 3 people with Darren in the water at one time – this allows more room in the water for getting best images and providing time and opportunity to shoot surface activity.

Tours B Includes: 8 nights accommodation exquisite newly-renovated Talau House and all meals (prepared By Theresa, ex-owner of Reef Resort); 6 days on the water with the whales, 1 day at leisure (no whaleswimming or any other activities are permitted in Tonga on Sundays) camera tuition & post-whaleswim photo sessions daily with Darren; a 900x600mm image of your choice printed on canvas including shipping; education and guidance in the water; snorkeling pristine reefs and caves, airport transfers in Vava'u and airport transfers between terminals in Tongatapu.

Tour # 8   1032C  31 Aug - 10 Sept 2012      10-days/11 nights        Spaces Available: FULL
Costs:
Per person:  AUD$4,960              THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED   
There are 4 rooms available 2 dble/twin & 2 single rooms      
(Return domestic airfaes can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY) )
(Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 6 people = 2 x groups of 3 people with Darren in the water at one time – this allows more room in the water for getting best images and providing time and opportunity to shoot surface activity.

Tours A Includes: 11 nights accommodation at exquisite newly-renovated Talau House and all meals (prepared By Theresa, ex-owner of Reef Resort); 8 days on the water with the whales, 2 days at leisure (no whaleswimming or any other activities are permitted in Tonga on Sundays) camera tuition & post-whaleswim photo sessions daily with Darren; a 900x600mm image of your choice printed on canvas including shipping; education and guidance in the water; snorkelling around pristine reefs and caves; airport transfers in Vava'u and airport transfers between terminals in Tongatapu.

Tour # 9   1032D      12 - 20 September 2012           7 days/8 nights      Spaces Available: 2
 
Costs:
Per Person: AUD$4,300 per person
There are 4 rooms available 2 dble/twin & 2 single rooms    
(Return domestic airfares can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY) )
 (Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 6 people = 2 x groups of 3 people with Darren in the water at one time – this allows more room in the water for getting best images and providing time and opportunity to shoot surface activity.

Tours B Includes: 8 nights accommodation exquisite newly-renovated Talau House and all meals (prepared By Theresa, ex-owner of Reef Resort); 7 days on the water with the whales, 1 day at leisure (no whaleswimming or any other activities are permitted in Tonga on Sundays) camera tuition & post-whaleswim photo sessions daily with Darren; a 900x600mm image of your choice printed on canvas including shipping; education and guidance in the water; snorkeling pristine reefs and caves, airport transfers in Vava'u and airport transfers between terminals in Tongatapu.

Click Here to make a booking on one of Darren's tours!

1012B Whales in Paradise B      Dates: Wed 12 - Thurs 20 Sept       Spaces Available: 4

These gentle giants of the sea give birth in the tropical waters of Vava'u 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. Your day is filled with excitement and admiration only stopping to explore the coral gardens and abundant marine life that inhabits Tonga. Your 4 night experience on an beautiful island in the whale nursery followed by 4 nights in luxury and gastronomic decadence - will not be forgotten easily! Download Tour Itinerary ( PDF)

Tour Includes: Welcome Lunch, 5 nights aboard 46ft catamaran "Thalassa" anchored in beautiful calm lagoons among the islands of Vava'u - in the middle of the of the whale nursery & 3 nights at the fabulous Reef Resort on Kapa Island, all meals, 6 full days whaleswimming from our boat, with experienced crew/guide for 6 days with lunch, education & guidance in the water, daily snorkeling on reefs and in caves, boat & airport transfers in Vava'u & between airports in Tongatapu. CLICK HERE for info & photos of the catamaran!
PLEASE NOTE: If you are prone to seasickness, please dont dismiss this tour as the catamaran will be anchored in very calm water each night. Our guests during the 2011 tours were not affected at all staying aboard these yachts.

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 8 people = 2 x groups of 4 people in the water with the whales - remember there is lots of swimming so this allows you to have lots of time with each whale encounter plus a short time to catch your breath on the boat and enjoying a different experience topside.
Duration: 8 nights/7 days including 1 leisure day

Cost:
Double/twin Share ONLY:  AUD$4,350 per person
(Return domestic airfare Tonga-Vava'u can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY)

Click Hereto make a booking on this tour!

Tour # 11
1052A 4-Day WhaleSwim       Dates: Mon 17 - Frid 21 Sept 2012     Spaces Available: 8

Tour # 13
1052B 4-Day WhaleSwim       Dates: Mon 1 Oct - Frid 5 Oct 2012     Spaces Available: 2


Many humpbacks have arrived in the warm tropical waters of Vava'u to breed and give birth, we spend 4 full days on the water among the 50+ islands of the vava'u Group of islands. We pick you up at 9:15am every day for a day of swimming with the whales. We stop for lunch around coral reefs and stunning caves for some of the best snorkeling in the world.

Tour Includes: 4 nights accommodation at the fabulous Tongan Beach Resort on the edge of the whale nursery, all meals, whaleswimming from our boat, with experienced crew/guide for 4 days with lunch, education & guidance in the water, daily snorkeling on reefs and in caves and airport transfer after the tour in Vava'u. PLEASE NOTE: This tour will begin at 9.00am on the first day to allow guests to arrive on the first domestic flight into Vava'u on Monday morning. This flight departs Tonagatapu at 7.00am arriving in Vava'u at 7.55am. We can arrange to have a taxi at the airport for you - just let us know!

Please note : A shorter tour time, unfavourable weather conditions and/or shy whales can mean that many whale-swimming opportunities may not arise EVERY day during a 4 day tour. We DO NOT guarantee that you will swim with whales every day over this time period, however, our commitment is to do the best we can to get you in the water for the experience of your life!

Deposit: AUD $700 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 12 people = 3 x groups of 4 people in the water with the whales - remember there is lots of swimming so this allows you to have lots of time with each whales encounter plus a short time on the boat having a different experience topside.
Duration: 5 nights/4 days

Tour # 11   1052A       Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)
Costs:
Double/twin Share: AUD$2,280 per person
Single room:            AUD$2,650 (Single rooms are fully booked)
Triple room:             AUD$2,160 per person
(Return domestic airfares can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY)

Tour # 13    1052B      Download Tour Itinerary (PDF)   (2 single spaces ONLY available)
Costs:
Double/twin Share: AUD$2,160 per person 1 female roommate for twin share space available only)
Single room:            AUD$2,530 (1 single room available)
Triple room:             AUD$2,040 per person (Triple rooms are fully booked)
(Return domestic airfares can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY)

Click Here to make a booking on this tour!

Tour # 12
1012C Whales in Paradise C      Dates: Frid 21 - Sat 29 Sept       Spaces Available: FULL

These gentle giants of the sea give birth in the tropical waters of Vava'u 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. Your day is filled with excitement and admiration only stopping to explore the coral gardens and abundant marine life that inhabits Tonga. Your 4 night experience on an beautiful island in the whale nursery followed by 4 nights in luxury and gastronomic decadence - will not be forgotten easily! Download Tour Itinerary ( PDF)

Tour Includes: Welcome Lunch, 4 nights aboard 46ft catamaran "Thalassa" anchored in beautiful calm lagoons among the islands of Vava'u - in the middle of the of the whale nursery & 4 nights at the fabulous Reef Resort on Kapa Island, all meals, 6 full days whaleswimming from our boat, with experienced crew/guide for 6 days with lunch, education & guidance in the water, daily snorkeling on reefs and in caves, boat & airport transfers in Vava'u & between airports in Tongatapu. CLICK HERE for info & photos of the catamaran!
PLEASE NOTE: If you are prone to seasickness, please dont dismiss this tour as the catamaran will be anchored in very calm water each night. Our guests during the 2011 tours were not affected at all staying aboard these yachts.

Deposit: AUD $1500 (This is non-refundable)
Group: 8 people = 2 x groups of 4 people in the water with the whales - remember there is lots of swimming so this allows you to have lots of time with each whale encounter plus a short time to catch your breath on the boat and enjoying a different experience topside.
Duration: 8 nights/7 days including 1 leisure day

Costs:
Double/twin Share ONLY AUD$4,350 per person THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED
(Return domestic airfare Tonga-Vava'u can be booked on request - BOOK ASAP AS THEY FILL EARLY)

Click Here to make a booking on this tour!