Swim and dive with the planet's most mysterious and magical marine giants among remote and pristine coral atolls and reefs. Luxury live-aboard NAI'A brings guests the close whale encounters of a lifetime. Join marine naturalists and filmmakers, Rob Barrel and Cat Holloway, aboard NAI'A and among Tonga's curious and captivating tribe of humpback whales.
The 9-day trips begin in Tonga's capital of Nuku'alofa and extend north into the untrammeled coral atoll wilderness of the Ha'apai Group, where the greatest number of humpback whale pods are found -- but almost no other boats, save the fishing canoes of villagers.
Sailing throughout this maze of islands and reefs, the location and activity of the whales largely determines the precise course of each new day. These are wild animals and this is no zoo! However, our experience has proven the mornings to be the best time for whale spotting and swimming encounters. Later in the afternoon NAI'A finds a safe evening anchorage near a dive site. The dive plan always at least one or more dives each day. Night dives are also a spectacular option on coral reefs.
The daily schedule is very flexible. Usually days on board are so busy - spotting, observing, photographing and swimming with whales; kayaking, snorkeling or zooming out to record whale song from the skiffs; visiting a village or scuba diving virgin reefs - that NAI'A's chefs become somewhat miffed about slaving over a delicious gourmet meal only to have everyone rush outside screaming "WHALE" as soon as it is served!
From the sight of the first breach at dawn, to the silhouette of whales resting at sundown, these expeditions are a special and rare kind of ocean adventure in a particularly picturesque part of the world. It's no wonder the whales like it here.
Basic Facts:
Humpbacks court, mate and give birth in Tonga between June and October with late July through September being the peak season for whale watching in Tonga.
- These humpbacks migrate from Antarctica where they feed for the rest of the year.
- Water temperature underwater in Tonga during winter is between 75-77 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Visibility on most dives sites is 100-150 feet and can reach 200 feet!
- Air temperature ranges from low 70s to mid 80s.
For more in-depth information on NAI'A Whale Watching charters, please see www.naia.com.fj/tonga
| 2004 |
Days |
Nights |
Rate |
| Aug 14 - Aug 23 |
9 |
9 |
$3800 p/p |
| Aug 25 - Sep 03 |
9 |
9 |
$3800 p/p |
| Sep 04 - Sep 13 |
9 |
9 |
$3800 p/p |
|
|
|
|
Rate of US$3800 per person includes on-board accommodation, meals, diving, tax and transfers.
