2012 live-aboard adventure dedicated to whales

I am really excited to announce three exciting live-aboard trips dedicated to observing, swimming with, and photographing Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales. I have been asked to be the host photographer. What makes these trips special is that the boat will take only 6 guests and go to locations that are known to be productive in terms of wild life sightings but are too far out of range for most of the day boat operators.

The boat has three guest cabins. One has bunk beds, and the other two have double beds. A divider can be used should it be necessary. Each cabin has a hot water shower and toilet.

Each adventure is for 10 days. The cost is $6325 AUD

September 12-21, 2012

The adventure will start in Ha'apai, the middle island group of Tonga, and end in Vavau' the Northern island group. The plan is to spend five days sailing among the myriad of islands in the Kotu islands of Ha'apai. This area is known for having an abundance of whales and few if any other boats. From there we will head north to the Seamounts that are in the Vavau group but too far south to be visited by land based operations in Vavau. This area is productive having had consistent Humpback and dolphin encounters over the last several years. Next, we will head north to Toku and Fonualei islands located 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are isolated and known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. We will stay in this area for two nights before heading to Vavau where guests will depart. Toku island is too far North for most of the boats from Vavau, and we should have the area pretty much to ourselves. Blue Planet filmed all their whale footage in these waters.

Sept 22- Oct 1

Guests will board at 9:00 Am and we will set sail for Toku and Fonualei Island 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. Blue Planet filmed all their whale footage in these waters.We will stay in this area for a 4-5 days before setting sail for Late island about 45 miles to the south. This island is too far for the day boats from Vavau and is known to have frequent sightings of whale sharks and Mola Mola (sun fish). We should have the area pretty much to ourselves. We will spend two nights here then sail to the southern seamounts about 40 miles south by south east. These seamounts are just a bit too far for all but a few of the day boats from Vavau' and are known to be popular spots for mother and baby whales and dolphins. We will spend 2-3 nights in this area and the last night will be at anchor near the main harbor in Vavau making it easy for guests to disembark the next morning.

Oct 2 -12, 2012. Guests will board in vavau' around 9 AM and our first destination will be Toku & Fonualei islands located 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. The Blue plant crew filmed the Humpback sequences here. We will spend 2-3 nights here. Our next destination is a about 70 miles south and consists of a series of seamounts just a bit too far south for all but a few of the day boats from Vavau'. These waters are known to be popular spots for mother and baby whales and dolphins. We will stay in this area for 2 days then continue south to the Kotu islands in Ha'apai. The plan is to spend five days sailing among the myriad of islands. Most of which are uninhabited. This area is known for having an abundance of whales and few if any other boats. Guests will depart in Ha'apai, the morning of October 12^th.

Contact us as soon as possible to reserve your space. For information email dhimages@maui.net