Swim with Humpback Whales
in Vava'u in the Kingdom of Tonga in 2026!
See our Early-Bird Deposit Special offer below!
Offer open until 20 Oct 2025.
Vava'u
The Vava'u archipelago in northern Tonga is perhaps the most famous place in the world for swimming with humpback whales— and for good reason. The islands form a natural nursery for migrating humpback whales between July and late October allowing them to raise their calves in safety.
We have been operating our swim with whales tours in Vava’u, Tonga since 1999 and our dedicated and passionate Tour Leader & crew are experts. We know how to take care of every detail of your time with us.
We offer personally-escorted, small group/8 guests ‘snorkelling with whales’ eco-tours you will never, ever forget!
Tonga has whale-swimming legislation in place to protect the whales and promote quality encounters.
All whale-watching boats in Tonga must be licensed and skippers must be trained and certified to take people swimming with whales. The legislation limits the number of swimmers in the water during an encounter to just 4 people plus a certified whale-swim guide, and only one boat can have swimmers in the water with those whales. Diving down with the whales is not allowed in Tonga and our encounters are much better with this regulation in place, as the whales are more likely to relax with us. With a maximum of 8 guests on board our tours, this means that you will be in the water every second encounter at a minimum. We are generally in the water multiple times during our whale-watching day and this rotation allows you to enjoy the often up close time with the whales from the boat and in the water - breaching and other surface activity is often best seen boat-side!
Vava'u was one of the first places in the world to offer the opportunity to swim with whales and the years of experience and observation of humpback whale behaviours here have created a wealth of knowledge about these wonderful marine mammals. We are proud to support the Tongan Whale Watching Legislation and deeply appreciate the work that has been put into developing these rules. We have been running WhaleSwim tours in Vava'u for 25 years and it is an affair of the heart for us. We are so grateful to be working with our wonderful teams here, and to be able take people to meet the magnificent humpback whales out among these beautiful islands.
Our tours include 5 or 7 nights at a beautiful, beach-front boutique-style resort, with friendly and welcoming hosts, a pool, most meals (delicious food!), snorkelling on reefs and in gorgeous marine caves, beach combing on deserted island and of course, swimming with whales! We also include airport transfers in Vava’u.
Consider adding a few extra days to your time in Vava'u and exploring the island, if you're a scuba diver the resort has a dive centre and there's some great dive sites! Ask us about adding a day trip on the resort's beautiful charter yacht!
Tour Dates & Costs Vava'u TONGA - 2026
7 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Choose your tour!
Maximum of 8 guests only per tour.
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T726A Sat 18 July - Sat 25 July (4 spaces available)
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T726B Sat 22 August - Sat 29 August (1 space available)
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T726C Sat 29 August - Sat 5 September (1 space available - pending)
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T726D Sat 5 September - Sat 12 September
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(tour fully booked)
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T726E Sat 19 September - Sat 26 September
Choose your accomodation!
Tour prices are per person
Early-Bird Deposit Special - book before 30 October and your first deposit is just AU$1,000 per person!
Single person - Beach side with Ensuite:
AUD 7,250
Twin/Double sharing - Beach side with Ensuite: AUD 5,900
Twin/Double sharing - Family Beach View with Ensuite: AUD 6,090
3 people sharing - Family Triple Beach View with Ensuite: was AUD 5,650
Early-Bird Booking Deposit Special finishes 30 October 2025.
5 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Choose your tour!
Maximum of 8 guests only per tour.
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T526A Mon 13 July - Sat 18 July
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T526B Mon 27 July - Sat 1 August (3 spaces available)
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T526C Mon 17 August - Sat 22 August (tour full - pending)
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T526D Mon 14 September - Sat 19 September
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T526E Mon 28 September - Sat 3 October
Choose your accomodation!
Tour prices are per person
Early-Bird Deposit Special - book before 30 October and your first deposit is just AU$1,000 per person!
Single person - Beach side with Ensuite:
was AUD 5,850
Twin/Double sharing - Beach side with Ensuite: was AUD 4,995
Twin/Double sharing - Family Beach View with Ensuite: was AUD 5,095
3 people sharing - Family Triple Beach View with Ensuite: was AUD 4,720
Early-Bird Booking Deposit Special finishes 30 October 2025.
What is included?
7 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Transfers : Return airport & boat transfers in Vava'u
7 nights - Beachside Room at the Tongan Beach Resort with ensuite bathroom - a fabulous resort on the edge of the whale nursery
Full buffet breakfast at the hotel, delicious lunches on the boat each day, plus Sunday lunch, as well as 6 evening meals
The other evening, you are free to experience the great little restaurants in town.
5 full days on the water with the whales guided by certified/experienced/passionate Guides | education/research data collection
Discovering the beautiful Vava'u islands!
Your whale-watching days will include opportunities to snorkel and explore coral reefs | beautiful cathedral and swim through underwater caves | beach-comb on uninhabited islands.
Kayaks are available at the resort if you would like to do more exploring in your free time.
1 day leisure day (Sunday is a compulsory holiday in Tonga)
5 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ON THE WATER PACKAGE
Transfers : Return airport & boat transferts in Vava'u
5 nights - Beachside Room at the Tongan Beach Resort with ensuite bathroom - a fabulous resort on the edge of the whale nursery
Full buffet breakfast at the hotel, delicious lunches on the boat each day, plus Sunday lunch, as well as 5 evening meals.
The other evening, you are free to experience the great little restaurants in town.
5 full days on the water with the whales guided by certified/experienced/passionate Guides | education/research data collection
Discovering the beautiful Vava'u islands!
Your whale-watching days will include opportunities to snorkel and explore coral reefs | beautiful cathedral and swim through underwater caves | beach-comb on uninhabited islands.
Kayaks are available at the resort if you would like to do more exploring in your free time.
1 day leisure day (Sunday is a compulsory holiday in Tonga)
Tour places are going fast, book now!
Not included :
- All international flights to Vava'u, Tonga
- Travel Insurance
- Snorkelling gear
- Some evening dinners depending on your package
Gemma H, Sept 2025
I recently travelled my with Whaleswim Adventures, and the experience was nothing short of epic! It far exceeded every expectation I had going in. The whale encounters themselves were absolutely breathtaking, being that close to these incredible creatures is something that will stay with me forever.
A huge part of what made the trip so special was Annah. With over 20 years of knowledge and experience, she guided us with such passion and expertise. Every moment reflected her deep connection to these whales, and thanks to her, we had the most meaningful, safe, and unforgettable encounters.
If you’re even considering a whale swim adventure, I cannot recommend Whaleswim Adventures highly enough. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Houssam K, Sept 2025
Absolutely phenomenal experience!!! Highly highly recommend doing this with Annah and her team. Everything was perfect, and Annah is super friendly and accommodating. She has also been doing this over 20 years, and has a lot of knowledge and understanding of whale behavior. Tonga and Pila are also really impressive at spotting whales, which makes a big difference. We had an incredible week that has beaten my expectations, which were already high. We spotted whales every day of all our swimming days, and had a wide variety of encounters: heat runs, super playful calves, singers, mothers and calves (both stationary and moving up and down) … it was incredible and jaw dropping!!
Also if you happen to need a visa Annah is super helpful (unlike other operators) - a few of us in the group needed one and were happy with the process.
Paul K, Aug 2024
My fiancé and I had the most wonderful time with Whale Swim Adventures in Tonga – truly a once in a lifetime experience... that we must do again.
Annah and her team were incredible guides with such deep love and respect for the whales and the ocean. They kept all of us safe while creating the most unforgettable encounters – from hearing whale song underwater to swimming with mothers and calves and watching whales breach from in the water.
Every moment was magic. It is hard to put into words just how special this outdoor adventure was. Five star recommendation!!!
Abby M, Aug 2024
« Thank you Annah for such an awe-inspiring experience. Swimming with whales is indescribable really, but joyful and exciting and beautiful are part of it. But not only the whales made this wonderful, your expertise as a guide, love and knowledge of the whales, and commitment to caring for each member of our group was very much appreciated. It was lovely to get to know you. »
Jillian B, July 2024
This had been a bucket list item for a long time. Finally did it, and it certainly lived up to my expectations. What an amazing experience! Swimming with these beautiful whales was extraordinary, going out on the boat everyday was exciting and fun, with a wonderful crew and guide. Staying at the Tongan Beach Resort was lovely and relaxing, my room was right on the beach, and was very comfortable. The food at the resort was delicious, and so fresh. All the staff were so friendly and helpful with any requests, I’d certainly stay there again.
I went on my own and everything was made so easy and welcoming for a solo traveler.
Just do it!
Kerry G, Aug 2024
« Thank you Annah for such an awe-inspiring experience. Swimming with whales is indescribable really, but joyful and exciting and beautiful are part of it. But not only the whales made this wonderful, your expertise as a guide, love and knowledge of the whales, and commitment to caring for each member of our group was very much appreciated. It was lovely to get to know you. »
Nicky, Aug 2023
Whaleswim Tonga - experience of a lifetime!!This was a trip that had been postponed since 2019/20 and was a long time in the making as a result of delays due to Covid and the eruption and Tsunami in Tonga. It was well worth the wait and was definitely a trip of a lifetime.Shane and Helen at the Tongan Beach Resort made sure that our stay was as enjoyable as possible. The packed lunches on the boat were excellent! Annah was very attentive and ensured that we knew what was happening each day even though she was feeling under the weather. Checking our confidence levels in the water so that she could gauge the types of encounters that we could manage. We had a lot of swims with the whales which included mothers with calves, heat runs, adolescents, solo whales. It was a magical experience being able to get that close to these amazing creatures. We were fortunate to encounter lots of whales every day of swimming... Thank you Annah, Helen, Sasha and Shane for a bucket list experience.»
What you will experience in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga
Vava'u, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, is not just a paradise for whale watching but also offers a plethora of other mesmerising experiences. During the whale season, Vava'u and Tonga boasts one of the highest populations of humpback whales in the world, offering you a unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures up close. Moreover, the islands are teeming with diverse marine life, inviting you to swim amongst colorful coral reefs and explore stunning underwater caves.
Yet, beyond its natural wonders, Tonga captivates visitors with its warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage. The genuine kindness of the Tongan people and their vibrant culture create an unforgettable atmosphere of friendliness and hospitality.
We hold a deep affection for this remarkable island and its people, and we are thrilled to share its wonders with you during your visit. From encountering majestic whales to immersing yourself in the vibrant marine life and exploring the island's scenic beauty, your time in Tonga promises to be nothing short of magical.
Want more of tour information?
You have questions, and we've got the answers! We've compiled them right here so you can have all the information at your fingertips!
Where will you stay?
You will stay in the fabulous Tongan Beach Resort.
Tongan Beach Resort spans 180 meters of beachfront with all 18 guest rooms enjoying views of the golden sand beach and crystal clear turquoise waters of the Port of Refuge Harbour and on some days the humpbacks are seen frolicking in the beautiful clear waters in front of the resort. Our boat picks you up at the jetty each morning and heads out into the whale nursery.
All rooms have top quality beds and 100% cotton bedding and towels and are only meters away from the water’s edge. The rooms have air-conditioning and are fitted with electric ceiling fans with open entrances allowing for a natural sea breeze if desired. Each room has its own covered decked balcony with table and chairs to relax and watch the sun set.
