To swim with humpback whales in Tonga is one of those rare wildlife experiences that lives up to the dream, if you know where to go, who to book with, and what to expect. This guide is written for ocean lovers who want the real experience, not the crowded version you see on social media.
This Ultimate guide on swimming with humpback whales in Tonga will give you an overview of the best tour to book, what to know about the whales, different operators in Tonga & beyond, the costs, as well as some tips on how to prepare for your Tonga adventure.
Where Can You Swim With Humpback Whales in Tonga?
The Kingdom of Tonga consists of around 170 islands. The inhabited islands where it’s possible to swim with those gentle giants are Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. Most of the whale swim tours operate from the island of Vava’u.
If you have a few extra days, adding ‘Eua to your Tonga trip is one of the most rewarding extensions. This offbeat island is quieter, wilder, and offers a completely different whale swimming experience. I break down exactly how to visit ‘Eua, where to stay, and which operators run ethical whale tours in my full ‘Eua guide.
Where to Stay to Swim with Whales in Tonga
Where you stay in Tonga affects how relaxed your whale swimming experience feels. Early starts, boat schedules, and recovery days matter more than luxury here.
Tanoa International Dateline Hotel is situated in the capital city of Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu Island. Conveniently located near the Royal Palace, local markets, and cultural landmarks, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travelers.
Mystic Sands, located on the island of Vava’u, offers a serene beachfront setting surrounded by palm trees and turquoise waters. Mystic Sands also organizes boat trips to nearby attractions like Swallows Cave and Mariner’s Cave, allowing guests to explore the natural beauty of Vava’u
Seaview Lodge & Restaurant, situated in Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu, offers affordable accommodation with stunning ocean views. It is best for couples or leisure travelers who want sunset views, easy beach access, and casual dining. The outdoor deck is perfect for evening drinks or a relaxed dinner after a day exploring. So pretty!
Reserve your hotel early to ensure the best location and availability for your Tonga adventure!
What’s it Like to Swim with Whales in Tonga
It’s going to be a day trip, starting at around 9 am. Depending on how far out you go, it’s estimated to return to shore at around 4 pm.
On board the boat were 12 guests, ranging from a family of four to couples in their late thirties to single travelers. For example, one guest just attended for Whale Watching – so this is also an option for you! The crew splits the guests into groups of three to four people. Whenever a group returned from their swim, it would be the next group’s turn.
The captain is in constant contact with other boats. So once somebody spotted a whale, you would also head into this direction.
Do You Get Food On The Boat?
Yes! During the whole day, the crew would go around the boat handing out cookies or biscuits to snack on. Around midday, the crew prepared sandwiches, a mix of soft buns, smothered in mayonnaise and chicken. Only two of them were veggie and we had three vegetarians on board.
The company usually asks its guests for dietary requirements beforehand, but did not do so on this occasion. Apart from the sandwiches, they provided lots of sweet watermelon as dessert. Yum!
As soon as we left the harbor, our safety instructor, Bridget, asked us to please keep our expectations low.
‘ Whales are very aware of their surroundings and our presence, she points out. ‘It’s their choice to allow us to share their space and we should feel very privileged
It’s always good to be patient and not compare your experience with what you might have on social media.
When you swim with Whales in Tonga
“Get ready!” – Bridget shouts. At lightning speed, we put on our fins, mask and snorkel and position ourselves at the stern of the boat, anxious to finally jump into the water. I look to my left and see a spout of water, followed by a shiny back that belongs to a female Humpback whale we spotted. The next moment, the Humpback whale calf breaches just meters away from our boat, revealing its white belly to us. What a moment!
Our guide jumped in first, followed by the photographer. The GoPro in one hand, us 4 guests jumped in, swimming as fast as we could behind them. What must have been only a couple of minutes was enough; both the guide and the photographer stopped. They called back the boat and told us to return. The mother and her calf were too fast for us and have disappeared.
Most travelers don’t come to Tonga just to swim with whales. If you’re planning a longer stay, I’ve put together a realistic Tonga itinerary that shows how to explore Tongatapu’s beaches, cultural sites, and hidden corners alongside a whale swim, without rushing or overplanning.
How Long Does it Take Until You See a Whale?
Indeed, it took us over an hour of cruising around the area. As this is a wildlife encounter, you can never know when or how often it happens! For the longest time, we cruise around only to see nothing but an endless ocean and secluded little islands.
On the third try, we started looking for them, and there they were – resting underneath us. A mother and her calf, motionless, hovering above the reef. The mother whale was just massive, ‘the size of a truck’ I thought. The calf was hiding underneath her – a touching encounter to say the least.
Our guide decided to take us around the back of the whale. Getting a better view of the back and the tail, I noticed a turtle! It calmly swam around the whale’s tail, until it vanished underneath and disappeared on the other side. What a special moment!
David, our underwater photographer, pointed out that the calf is about to surface to take a breath of air. We watched it slowly swimming towards the surface, followed by the mother. Within a matter of two-tail strokes, both have moved on, out of sight for us. Our group returned to the boat, everybody smiling, euphoric about what we just witnessed
I wish we could have stayed with them for longer, but the boat came towards us to pick us up. By the time every group was in the water twice, we cruised around and spotted a couple more whales – all very fast, on the go. Once the afternoon hit in, we made our way back toward Nuku’alofa.
When To Go Swim with Humpback Whales in Tonga
The best season to swim with humpback whales in Tonga is from June to October/November, starting earlier every year.
The Humpbacks have spent all summer months in the colder water in the Antarctic, feasting on krill. It is one of the biggest and longest animal migrations, involving a journey of over 6,000 km past towards the Archipelago of Tonga.
Hence, these journeys are essential for the survival of the species. With the Antarctic water being too cold for newly born calves, the pregnant females swim all the way to Tonga to give birth in the warm and sheltered waters.
Ethical Views: Swim With Humpback Whales in Tonga
I guess there is always that part of us that wonders – do we disturb the whales? Does it bother them to have as around? The Tongan government put some regulations in place to minimize the impact those tours might have.
As Vava’u has a high concentration of tour operators, you might be better off going to Tongatapu, where there are less and therefore
As I cannot speak for every tour operator, I can say that our guide from Deep Blue Diving made sure we wouldn’t come too close or swim on top of the whales. For instance, he instructed us to calmly paddle sideways to not cause excessive movement. Furthermore, guests are supposed to stay at least five meters away from the whales and you should not touch them.
If you have been swimming with Whale Sharks in places like Cebu, Philippines you know that multiple boats are swirling around, and it’s overcrowded with people. In Tonga, it is not like that at all!
In Tongatapu at least, there were no two boats on the same spot swimming with the whales. However, they kept in contact with other boats but would leave the site so another operator could try and spot the same whales.
Story Behind This Picture
The picture above was taken on our 2nd swim. Spotted in the distance – another spout of air. We swam towards the guide and saw the two whales underneath us, deeper than the ones from before. You could see the outline, and you could tell it was a whale, but low visibility made it hard to see specific details. I kept hearing a clicking sound and I asked David our photographer, if he heard the same. ‘Yes’ he said, ‘they are communicating’. It was just a matter of time and the calf was swimming towards to surface to take a breath – just a few metres away from us.
How Much Does It Cost to Swim with Whales in Tonga
Since boats are only allowed to take so many people it is recommended to book your spot in advance. The price for a swim with whales in Tonga starts at
A$230 (160 US$) to A$470 (325 US$)
Available spots and tours to swim with humpback whales in Tonga depend on the month. As the season is short, you might want to pre-book the experience!
Tour Operators for a Swim with Humpback Whales in Tonga
When choosing a whale swim operator in Tonga, fewer boats and smaller groups make a real difference to the experience.
Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu
Deep Blue Diving – If you want fewer boats, smaller groups, and a calmer, more respectful experience, this full-day humpback whale swim tour from Tongatapu is the one I recommend. Groups are kept small, the pace is unhurried, and the focus is on reading the whales, not chasing them.
Whale Swim, Fish & Dive Tours are operating on the islands for 20+ years, making it another great choice!
‘Eua has only a handful of operators, which means fewer boats and often more relaxed time in the water. I cover the best options and how to plan a trip there in my dedicated ‘Eua guide.
Vava’u
Vava‘u has the highest number of operators and multi-day whale swim packages. This can be a great option if whale swimming is your main focus, but it also means more boats in the water during peak season.
What To Bring To Swim with Whales in Tonga
- A windbreaker or sailing jacket! After being in the water once and staying in your wetsuit for another 5 hours, it will get chilly!
- Sunscreen: as you either hide in the shade (gets chilly) or you stay on deck (might get burnt)
- Snacks: you might want to bring some snacks or lunch of your own, as the catering towards dietary requirements is rather limited
- Sunglasses
- Camera: GoPro or another underwater camera & housing
- Towel: to keep yourself warm & give shade
Interesting Facts About Humpback Whales in Tonga:
- The female Humpbacks return to Tonga some 12 months after the conception of their calves. They have last eaten for two to three months ago in the Antarctic and as a result, are now living off fat reserves. The sheltered environment of the 170 islands that make up Tonga is the ideal place for them. They can regain strength, feed the baby and prepare it for the long journey back to the feeding grounds.
2. Mature whales only need to go to the surface and breathe every 10 minutes or so, whereas the calves have to take a breath every three to five minutes.
3. Humpback whales can grow to an average length of 18 to 21 meters and weigh as much as 44 tons.
Where Else Can You Swim with Whales Besides Tonga?
Tonga is one of the few places in the world where swimming with humpback whales is legal and well-regulated. A few other destinations offer similar experiences:
- Niue – A small island nation with clear waters and limited operators, ideal for low-key encounters during peak season.
- Tahiti (French Polynesia) – Known for shallow coastal waters where humpbacks come close to shore, especially around Rurutu.
- Exmouth, Western Australia – Offers whale encounters during migration season alongside whale shark tours at Ningaloo Reef.
- Sunshine Coast, Australia – Half-day tours provide guided, ethical encounters during the winter migration months.
Each destination has its appeal, but Tonga remains one of the most consistent and intimate places to swim with humpback whales in the wild.
Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga is not just about the moment in the water. It is about patience, respect, and being present in a place where nature decides the rhythm.
Tonga offers one of the most ethical and unspoiled whale swim experiences in the world. If this guide helps you plan your trip, I hope it also encourages slow travel, thoughtful choices, and time beyond the whales. Tonga has a quiet way of staying with you long after you leave.
Keen to Travel to Oceania? Read My Other Oceania Posts Here
Been to Samoa? Discover this island paradise on my 1 week Samoa Itinerary
For the best adventure, head on this 10 day itinerary around the South Island of New Zealand.
Women Travel Essentials I Can’t Live Without
Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance that protects me no matter where I go has been an obligatory thing to have since day one. No matter if it was to study abroad, to go on a two-week vacation or start a full-time travel life – travel insurance is SO important. If you are looking for travel insurance to cover your next adventure, have a look at Safetywing to see if it suits you!
Travel Money Card
Are you still looking for the best option for your travels? Having a Wise travel money card that allows you to hold various currencies, has the lowest transaction fees and lets you withdraw money no matter where you are is worth GOLD. Wise has been my go-to choice for 4 years now and I wouldn’t go back to having only one credit card.
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! I only recommend services and tools I know and trust myself.
Pin it for later!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply