Tonga – Sept 21-30, 2010
For the fifth year in a row, I am organizing a nine day adventure in Vavau, Tonga to swim with and photograph Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales. This experience is limited to a small group, so each person gets the experience of a lifetime.
Just because its legal does not mean swimming with whales is easy. The fact is whales are wild and not on anyone's time schedule. They can come or go as they see fit, and all encounters are on their terms. For the safety of the whales, and fairness to others, several protocols need to be followed.
That means we won't just motor up to the humpbacks and jump in the water. The standard is to watch the whales to observe their behavior and let them get used to our presence. If they feel we are not a threat, they will relax and that's when good interaction happens. There will be a maximum of four people plus guide in the water at any time.
I have found that with the exception of a heat run and really relaxed mother and calf, that most encounters are best when swimmers float motionless or swim together in a parallel course not an intersecting course with the whales. Imagine how you would feel if several large fish were swimming at you from multiple directions. I would feel threatened, so it only makes sense that the whales do too. By swimming and floating in a group, the whales are better able to become comfortable with our presence.
When it comes to nature photography, the daily plan is to hurry up and wait. A lot of time is spent looking at the horizon for whale sign. When whales are sighted, many factors have to come together before we get in the water. These include the demeanor of the whales, good visibility, low winds, and flat seas.
Just getting to Tonga can be an adventure as it is a remote location. From most places it takes 2 days to get to, and one long day to return. The airlines in this part of the world are safe, but follow a logic not many people understand. I tell people to bring along their sense of humor and two extra books, as the flights don't always operate as advertised. Please make sure you purchase trip insurance and be prepared for excess baggage fees.
Continental Airlines and Pacific Airlines are the best airlines to use to get to Tonga. If you don't have a travel agent McCoy travel in Hawaii will be happy to take care of all your travel arrangements. They specialize in Fiji and the pacific.
This trip we will be staying in the Puatake Hotel right on the water, in the center of town. The rooms are large, and have a/c and internet hook ups. Each room has an incredible harbor view. The boat will meet us up at 8AM and drop us off after 4PM each day. A catered lunch will be provided.
The cost is $4,740 per per person and includes 10 nights hotel ( double occupancy), 9 boat days with catered lunch featuring some fruit, veggies, salad, fish or chicken, muffins, cookies, coffee and cocoa, as well as bottled water on the boat. If traveling alone, add an $800 single room adjustment. The cost of the trip can be split up into 2 or 3 payments depending on when you commit to the trip. The cost of the trip must be paid in full by July 1st, 2010.
In Vavau, there are two good cafes for breakfast, and ½ dozen good restaurants for dinner. One place has the best Italian food I have ever eaten. There places that serve meat, fish, indian food, mexican food, spanish food, pizza, and lobster. The prices are very reasonable.
Shark Dive
Depending on the length of your vacation plans, there is an option to add a few days of shark diving in Pacific Harbor Fiji before or after the Vavau trip. Participants will be met at either the Nadi or Suva airports and driven to Pacific Harbor where they will spend 3 nights at the Uprising resort and two days of shark diving with Beqa Adventure Divers. Roundtrip transportation to the Suva or Nadi airport is provided. The cost will be around $750. Scuba gear can be rented.
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