Sam again, another incredible story to share from our missing travel files! Not long ago I was lucky enough to swim with humpback whales in the warm waters of Tonga. My nearest and dearest all pitched in to make this dream adventure happen, but it was up to me to choose the right operators. Ensuring the experience didn’t harm the whales in any way was my top priority. After hours of research, I found two fully licensed operators who only take small groups of guests and always put the whales first, they were both incredibly patient with all my questions as well.
I’d hoped for just one special swim, so I booked two weeks and two locations, planning to spend up to ten days in the water. What I didn’t anticipate was how profoundly mind-blowing the entire experience would be and how many incredible swim experiences I would have. It was so impactful that it inspired me to launch Awesome Whale Adventures – a business dedicated to sharing this magic with others.
The Journey Begins
We landed in Tonga, after a short flight from Auckland. The airport was quite small, and we had to wait a while for our bags – and even longer to clear the single x-ray machine as many locals had an impressive number of bags – it gave me more time to soak in the reality that I was finally here. After meeting our guide, we jumped into a taxi and headed to Winnie’s B&B, where we’d be staying for the next few days.
The atmosphere at Winnie’s was wonderfully relaxed, and our host, Liz, was incredibly welcoming. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious welcome dinner in town and met our fellow guests – a group of six, all from Australia (with Ben, the token Kiwi, adding a little trans-Tasman flair).
The following morning, we were up bright and early to meet our captain. Before we knew it, we were on the boat, heading out to sea, with excitement building as we prepared for our first swim with the whales. Since only four guests are allowed in the water at a time, we made sure to negotiate our way into being among the first group to dive in, well ease in quietly so as not to disturb the whales.
The First Encounter
And then, it happened. We spotted a mother humpback whale, her calf, and an escort in front of us, we got into the water and waited and initially it was a fly-by, but it still felt so surreal to be that close to these magnificent creatures. But then the escort turned back to watch us, circling around us slowly and making eye contact. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of being seen by a whale. It was like time stood still for a moment.
The Next Few Days
We experienced so many incredible encounters, and I found myself on the verge of joyful tears almost constantly. One unforgettable moment was meeting a friendly female humpback known as ‘Sally,’ easily recognised by a large shark bite on one of her pectoral fins. She was accompanied by two young males vying for her attention, but Sally only had eyes for us. She circled us gracefully, mimicked our spins in the water, and even spy-hopped to catch a glimpse of the guests on the boat.
Another magical moment was witnessing tail sailing – the serene sight of a mother whale resting with her tail gently above the surface while her calf played nearby. There was something profoundly peaceful about watching these magnificent creatures simply exist. What truly blew me away was the curiosity of the calves. These “little” whales, still far larger than any animal I’d ever seen, edged closer and closer, seemingly just as fascinated by the strange small humans floating in their world.
The Next Destination
Wrapping up a full week of early starts and long days on the boat, filled with incredible whales swims every day we spent a night in the largest hotel in town, Tanoa International Dateline Hotel. The next day we headed to the tiny domestic airport where we boarded a much smaller plane and made the short hop to Ha’apai. Much less known for its whale watching, which means far fewer boats that more well known destinations like Vava’u.
It was here we stayed for the next week in remote beachfront fales on an off-grid resort with incredible hospitality and one of the most comfortable boats in Tonga, which even has a hydrophone so that you can hear the beautiful whale song above the water. An extra bonus here is that their is wind to kite-surf after swimming with whales, and your swims are protected by the land. The accommodation is located on the leeward side of the island with lots of trees and foliage between the resort and the wind. The trade winds come from the south east and the resort is located on the west side, so it is has the best of both worlds.
Here, we enjoyed even more incredible whale swims and were treated to front-row seats to breaching whales on the horizon, visible right from the eco-resort. Another of the unforgettable experiences was witnessing our first heat run from on-board the boat. The usually serene whales suddenly erupted right next to us into a spectacle of energy, producing bursts of bubbles and, at times, lunging at one another. With their throat pleats fully inflated, they appeared even more awe-inspiring and colossal – a breathtaking display of power and competition. A heat run is a thrilling event: one female humpback is pursued by a group of males, each competing fiercely for her attention. The female leads them on an exhilarating chase that can last for hours, with the males vying for dominance and engaging in intense, sometimes physical confrontations.
A New Dream
The whole experience was transformative—not just in the deep connection I felt with the whales but also in how it shaped the future I want to create. During this trip, I realised I wanted to share this magic with others. And so, Awesome Whale Adventures was born. My mission is to offer people the chance to experience something truly extraordinary: connecting with nature in ways few ever do, while ensuring the whales’ well-being remains a priority.
Looking Ahead
Using both my travel knowledge and the skills I learnt in front-end web development I’ve build a website for Awesome Whale Adventures that combines ethical tourism with unforgettable experiences. I’m also excited announce that our first escorted whale swimming tour in Ha’apai will take place from 29th July to 6th August 2025. This exclusive week-long adventure is carefully designed to maximise guest enjoyment while respecting the majestic humpbacks that call Ha’apai home during their migration.
We’d love for you to join us on this upcoming adventure. Visit our Tonga tour page here to learn more. Who knows? Your life-changing whale encounter could be just around the corner with us.
Our Awesome Adventures 