In Tonga you go to swim with whales, a specific population of humpback whales that travel 3,000 miles to breed and give birth in Tonga's warm waters, meanwhile they get a new companion to mate, which means the big sea mammals are around Tonga Archipelago for months each year. Tonga is also renowned for its crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches. The diving include some wrecks and caves, and diverse marine life as manta rays, sea turtles, reef fish and reef sharks.

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WHY SHOULD GO AND DIVE TONGA

Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga

If you have ever dreamed of a close encounter with whales, the dream can come true in Tonga.

The archipelago of Tonga has 176 islands in the central South Pacific, white beaches fringed by palm trees, transparent waters and a super friendly population and thousands of whales that arrive after a very long journey from Antarctica, in search of warm waters to give birth and feed the own little ones. The ideal season to see these large mammals is from July to October, the best month ever is September.

Can you snorkel and approach whales?

The answer is yes, in Tonga! It should be known that snorkeling can only be done if accompanied by an authorized local guide, who ensures the respect of the animals and the safety of customers. Diving is prohibited.

The Vava'u group of islands in northern Tonga is the best place, although humpback whales can be seen throughout the archipelago.

Best season for swimming with whales in Tonga

From July to October, in the season when humpback whales leave their habitat in Antarctica and embark on the long journey north in search of warm tropical waters to give birth to their young. Whales love the shallow, sheltered waters between the islands to feed and care for the baby whales.

A typical day in search of whales

We start in the morning, sailing slowly in search of the whales willing to participate in the close encounter, once the right subjects have been found, it is necessary to enter the water calmly, without fidgeting and making noise, otherwise the whales could move away. Then they expect humpback whales that usually make several laps around you to get to know you. Once the meeting that usually lasts a few electrifying minutes is over, you go back on the boat and start looking for other subjects. At the end of the long and busy day we stop on a paradise island for a few moments of relaxation on the fantastic Tongan beaches.

The most frequent encounters are with the curious baby whales and the mother, in some cases young solitary males are also encountered.

In Tonga you stay in a resort, usually located on a splendid beach of some small island, and you make day trips with the boats of the diving centers. It is also possible to base in Neiafu, the pretty capital town of the Vava'u and always make day trips.

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_{Humpback whale is approaching us © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Face-to-face encounter with the humpback whale © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Humpback whale laps around to get to know us © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{A Humpback whale is right underneath us © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Seeking ‘eye-to-eye’ experience with the giant humpback whales © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{The giant humpback whale scanned us with a glance © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga is an mesmerizing experience © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Photographing humpback whales in Tonga is challenging © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Humpback whale now is playing around us © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Humpback whale still playing around us © Photo by Paolo Colombo for Cruising Indonesia}

_{Resort experience in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Palm beach experience in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Colorful boat house in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Suckling pig, a favorite of Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Quintessential island experience in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Diver in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Mapu 'A Vaea Blowholes in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Aerial view Vava'u archipelago in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{The beauty of Tonga's nature © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

_{Marine of Neiafu in Tonga © Photo by Cruising Indonesia}

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