How it all started. . . .
The idea of WhaleSwim Adventures began in 1997 for it's owner Rae Gill, from a eyeball to eyeball encounter with a humpback whale off the coast of the Dominican Republic. She knew that her passion was to make available this experience (under strict guidelines) to as many people as possible to raise the awareness of the vital importance of the conservation of the whales of our oceans.
Since then, each whale season in Tonga, July - October, Rae and her team of whale conservationists, marine biologist and professional wildlife photographers are there, providing the best 3, 7 and 9 day expeditions for people from all around the world to snorkel with the humpback whales.

WhaleSwim Adventures is committed to whale conservation and fully supports the non-harassment policies of the Whale watching Guidelines in place in Tonga. They support the implementation of the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary and of course, a World Whale Sanctuary.

Our Policy on Commercial Whaling!
WhaleSwim Adventure does not support the IWC's policy that allows some country's to kill whales under the pretense of 'scientific research' or for any reason at all.

Our Responsible Travel Policies:

Code Of Conduct

Economic Responsibility:

• We have a strict policy of working with a variety of accommodation facilities, charter companies, restaurants, taxis, local tour operators, growers etc thus insuring that the local businesses and communities benefit from our expeditions.
• Our tour packages include a Tongan Feast and Dance night and craft fair organised by a local village and we suggest our guests purchase their arts, crafts and souvenirs at this fair or at the local markets which promotes & encourages the local trade and economy.
• We also employ local guides and staff whenever possible.

Environmental responsibility:

• Our clients are informed on the need to adhere strictly to our waste disposal policies during their time in Tonga. This is to insure that they do nothing to disturb or change the balance in the eco-system.
• We refill recycled water bottles with UV sterilised rainwater for drinking each day for our guests .
• We supply re-usable plastic lunch boxes to our caterers for lunches each day.
• Local communities are constantly reminded and educated on the need to protect and preserve their culture and the environment as to continually attract tourism.
• We invite a humpback whale researcher on our vessel each season to support the ongoing research and conservation of the South Pacific Humpback whales.
  
• We do not print information brochures, all our information is on our website where information can be downloaded if and when required. All paper in our offices is recycled and we refrain from accepting plastic bags or wrapping whenever possible.
• We are actively lobbying the Tongan Government NOT to re-introduce whaling with the Japanese Government.

 

Social Responsibility:

• As a strict policy, we believe in training and retraining of staff and volunteers alike to ensure that they are acquainted with contemporary issues involved in providing safe, informative, educative, life changing and sustainable tourism.
• We only work with local suppliers who strictly adhere to the 'Whale-watching Guidelines of Tonga & Niue' - that cause little or no negative impact on the humpback whales in the area.
• We encourage our guests to interact with the local families during the feast and dance night and on any village visits or events where this is possible
• A portion of the profits generated by WhaleSwim Adventures are channeled into The WhaleQuest Foundation - for the preservation of the South Pacific Humpback Whales and financing education for local Tongans in the fields of marine sciences and marine tourism

Our Mission:

To increase awareness of the importance of conservation of our marine mammals through groups of people directly experiencing the underwater world of the whales and dolphins for themselves and by supporting research projects around the world.

Our adventures take place only in certain areas of our oceans (away from commercial tourism), where these encounters are guided by trained and experienced naturalists insuring that we have the least impact these intelligent mammals as possible and that the whales are honoured and respected at all times and not harassed or invaded in any way.

To extend an invitation to others who are touched by whales and dolphins to join us on our guided encounters, and have the opportunity to personally experience these extraordinary mammals in the wild and realise the vital importance of their survival and the tragic effect their extinction would have on our planet.

To contribute to our oceans becoming a safe place for all marine mammals to continue to live and breed.

To honour and contribute to supporting the local communities socially, economically, environmentally.

Our financial contributions to the conservation of marine mammals in our oceans is 10% of our profits each year - at present that 10% goes to - The WhaleQuest Foundation.

We also make generous donations to both
Greenpeace www.greenpeace.com &
The Sea Shepherd Foundation http://www.seashepherd.org/