Tonga Whale Encounters Tour

Private vehicles are used for all airport transfers and other transfers. Domestic flights are included for the return journey between Tongapatu and Lifuka Islands. A fully licensed safari boat is used for the whale swimming trips.

We are committed to being a small group operator, as we feel this gives everyone in the group the best chance to get to know their fellow travellers and to hear and make the most of their guide. Also, in Tonga we need to restrict the number of people in the group to fit the size of the whale watching boat and to ensure that the whale swimming experience is managed responsibly for both whales and guests (a maximum of 4 swimmers plus guide are allowed in the water with the whales at any one time). This tour therefore has a maximum group size of 8 travellers (min 1). You may join with other travellers on the whale safaris.

While on Tongatapu your travel is essentially independent, with the hotel shuttle providing your transfers to and from the airport for your international flights and your flights to and from Ha'apai.

While on Ha'apai the owner/managers at Ha'apai Beach Resort will be your hosts and manage your time there. Matt Haling and Jodi Hawley originated from Australia and New Zealand and were drawn to The Kingdom of Tonga in 2012 by the humpback whales and the idyllic island lifestyle. These avid sailors sailed their yacht 2800 nautical miles from Australia to settle in the paradise that is Ha’apai. Matt began diving in 1989 and has a special understanding and bond with the marine life. He has taught underwater photography and video around the globe, spending over 6000 hours underwater, professionally filming and photographing its wonders. Jodi is a skilled sailor, amazing cook and a passionate whale guide who has an affinity with the whales. Their partnership makes for your perfect holiday experience at the resort and on the water as they welcome you into the island lifestyle.

Every year from mid July to mid October the serene islands of Ha'apai provide safe haven for one of mother nature´s most captivating creations - the majestic Humpback Whales. Tonga is one of only a few countries in the world where you are allowed to actually swim with Humpback Whales, and with our guides and the tropical paradise of Ha'apai it is simply the most beautiful and tranquil place to do it.  The whales come from the Antarctic to the calm warm waters of Ha'apai to breed, birth and socialise. Mothers spend the time until their departure, nursing their young and courting a potential mate. It’s a very important and sensitive time in their annual cycle and the most exciting time to watch and interact with them.

Every day of whale watching is different with a vast array of interesting behaviour to witness - from the "blow" shaped like a love heart, a graceful spy hop, powerful fin or fluke slaps to continual full body breaching and inquisitive approaches to the boat. Using our hydrophone (waterproof microphone) we can sometimes listen to their magical love songs even when they are out of sight. Swimming with the Humpback Whales is the ultimate marine experience, even life changing for some. So come with us, strap on your mask and fins and glide into the blue for your experience of a lifetime swimming with Tonga's Humpback Whales!.

Our whale watching trips depart at 8.30 am from the main wharf in Pangai. For your safety you will be informed about the vessel, whale behaviour and how we conduct swimming with the whales then begin our search for the playful giants. Depending on the events of the day, we will have lunch at anchor, allowing you to snorkel on one of Ha'apai's wonderful coral reefs, or on a beach of one of the many islands. The afternoon will be spent looking for more whales before we make our way back home around 2.30 pm.

We use a fully licensed and professional whale swim operator who strives to swim on every trip. However, be aware that whales are wild animals and you will be observing them in their natural environment. Swimming may or may not be possible depending on the whales' behaviour, their reaction to us and the weather conditions. Only 4 swimmers, plus a guide, are allowed in the water with the whales at any one time. The boats we use carry up to 8 people so people generally take turns with the whale swims. These are kept short enough though so that everyone gets as much time with the whales as is possible and responsible. A Premium Whale Swimming option is available which guarantees that you go into the water on every swim and don't need to sit any out on the boat.

We are only visitors in their realm and their welfare is our primary concern, always adopting a soft, respectful approach during our encounters. If the whales show signs of being disturbed, we cease contact and continue our search for whales that are more in tune to interacting with us. That being said, our experience with the whales combined with our careful approach technique usually result in exhilarating in-water encounters that leave our guests with unforgettable whale moments in Ha'apai.

Each boat trip includes complete snorkelling gear, a fresh, home-made lunch, tea, coffee and refreshments, with trained professionals to make your day safe, informative and enjoyable.

The whale watching season in Tonga runs from late July to mid October. We run regular small-group departures on this tour starting on Thursdays throughout the season. All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 travellers and a maximum of 8.

Departure dates and prices are listed on our website and on a separate dates & prices sheet available on request. We can also run this tour privately and customise the itinerary if you would rather not join a group or if our group dates do not suit you or are fully booked. Please contact us for more information and prices.

If you would like to book a place on this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website (via the Dates & Prices tab on the tour page). You may make a deposit or full payment online, or just hold a reservation if you prefer (full payments are due 8 weeks before departure). We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments may be made by debit or credit card (subject to a card processing fee), or by making a bank transfer, or posting us a cheque/bank draft. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.

We are a UK registered company and are committed to providing our customers with financial protection to provide peace of mind and to allow you to book with confidence.
We have therefore partnered with Trust My Travel Ltd., which provides financial protection services to over 2000 partners around the world. Funds paid to us by our customers are protected via an Insurance policy held by Trust My Travel. Each traveller and the description of services sold is declared against Trust My Travel’s insurance policy directly against our financial failure. In the event of our insolvency, you will be refunded for any unfulfilled products and/or repatriation to the UK (where applicable). Please see our website or booking conditions for more information.

It is impossible not to have an impact on the local environment, cultures and eco-systems when you travel. However, it is very possible to try and ensure that these impacts are as limited, or positive as possible. We are committed to ensuring that we try to leave our host countries in a better state than we found them and encourage and assist our travellers to help us with this.
The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but which will help ensure that any effect you have on the locations you visit is positive rather than negative.

• Don't prejudge: Things in different countries will almost certainly be different. That doesn't make them worse or inferior, just different.
• Communicate: Don't expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don't worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language.
• Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning and fans when you leave the hotel room and don't waste water. Remove superfluous packaging. Many countries have far less efficient waste disposal systems than ours. Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home.
• Don't litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you're travelling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to add to the environment's stress. Many of the countries we visit have a tough challenge dealing with rubbish and waste. Please consider taking home as much plastic waste as you can (e.g. water bottles).
• Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents you can help reduce pollution.
• Respect local customs and traditions: As you are a guest in these countries, you should also comply with the local customs. If you are friendly and well mannered, the locals will reciprocate and it will only enhance your experience. It's important to follow dress and behaviour guidelines especially when visiting religious or sacred sites (your tour leader will advise you how best to do this).
• If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and Encounters Travel shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. No refund will be given for any unused services.

All porters are employed and equipped following guidelines set by the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG).

You can stay in touch with us online by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We post updates on relevant travel news in our destination countries, special offers and discounts and other interesting travel related news and information.
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Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads Travel Insurance offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

If your tour includes car hire, or if you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude.

If you are taking expensive camera gear or other electronic equipment with you then please check the coverage and the fine print of your policy to ensure that you have sufficient cover.

IMPORTANT:  We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour.  If you haven't told us already, please let us know the details when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show this at the start of the tour.

Covid-19
Before purchasing any travel insurance, please check the coverage provided for situations related to Covid-19, and for the rules about government travel advice. Your normal policy may not be suitable.

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.

Traveling responsibly means minimizing plastic waste, but staying hydrated on the go is essential. At Encounters Travel we are committed to reducing single-use plastics, which is why we've partnered with Water-to-Go. Their portable filtration system removes over 99.9% of contaminants from any non-saltwater source, turning even questionable water sources into safe drinking water.

Given that tap water is un-safe to drink in many of the countries in which we operate, we recommend purchasing a Water-to-Go bottle prior to departure. This will help you avoid the use of single use plastic bottles and keep you hydrated on the go.

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• Three different (1 traditional and 2 nano) technologies are combined in one filter cartridge to remove up to 99.9999% of microbiological contaminants in water.

The three technologies used in a Water-to-Go filter are:

• Mechanical filtration – A tiny pore size, so small contaminants can’t fit through.
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• Activated Carbon – Unlike most carbon based filters, instead of using adhesives to glue the carbon particles together, (which vastly reduces the carbon’s efficiency) it is contained within the membrane, helping to reduce contaminants whilst eliminating bad tastes and odours. Try filtering water from your tap at home and taste the difference!

Water-to-Go filter bottles deliver safe, healthy water worldwide

• Water-to-Go filters remove bacteria, viruses, waterborne disease, protozoa, heavy metals such as lead as well as harmful chemicals.
• Their filters remove Chlorine and Fluoride from tap water.
• The filter will eliminate harmful contaminants from the water but allow beneficial minerals such as sodium and magnesium to pass through leaving you with the healthiest water possible.
• Water-to-Go filters have been independently tested against internationally recognised standards by industry specialists including The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK), BCS Laboratories (USA), Bangalore Test House (India) and IMI (China).

Use Water-to-Go products and you’ll be healthier, wealthier and helping to make the world a better place!

• Depending on filter size, each Water-to-Go filter is able to replace 260 or 400 single-use plastic water bottles!
• They ensure you have access to safe water anywhere in the world without ever having to buy environmentally damaging bottled water.
• Their water bottles deliver safe, clean drinking water at just 5p per litre.
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• The water bottles are used and approved by everyone from backpackers to commuters, gym users to expecting mums. Perfect for everyday, outdoor and travel.

While our group departures offer a fantastic way to explore with like-minded travellers, we understand that some guests prefer a more exclusive experience. Most of our group tours can be booked on a private basis, allowing you to enjoy the same expert-led routes with your own dedicated party. The primary advantage of choosing a private arrangement is the flexibility it provides; we can easily customise the itinerary to include your preferred style of accommodation or adjust the pace to suit your needs. Private tours can be run on the same start days as our group tours, or on other dates. However, some activities within our trips are restricted to particular days of the week - we will advise you on anything like this that we need to work around. Pricing will be based on the number of travellers in your party, and any customisations you may like to make. 

For those seeking something truly unique, our specialist sales team is available to collaborate with you on a completely tailor-made tour, designed from the ground up to match your specific interests, accommodation level and requirements.

To request a quotation for a private or tailor-made tour, please contact us.

The tour includes a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Tongatapu airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers. 

You will be met on your arrival in Tongatapu airport, after you have passed through immigration and collected your luggage. Please exit the building and turn left where you’ll find a driver from the Scenic Hotel Tonga holding a board with your name(s) displayed. Please look out for them and introduce yourself. They will then transfer you on to your hotel. Please call the contact numbers on your voucher if you do not find them straight away.

On Day 2 you will need to arrange your transfer to the airport through the hotel reception (their shuttle bus travels very regularly as the airport is very close by). On arrival in Ha’Apai you'll be met and transferred to the resortfor breakfast. We will send you your e-tickets and flight numbers for the Tongatapu - Ha'Apai flights; you will need to check in yourselves. Please be ready to leave the hotel 2 hours before your flight departure to Ha'Apai.

We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t include your international flights in the main tour price. We are however very happy to suggest flights to go with the tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from.

Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour.

Our Tonga tours start and finish at Fuaʻamotu International Airport on Tongatapu island (TBU). Air New Zealand flies to Tongatapu from Auckland 6 times per week and can be used to fly to Tonga from a wide range of international airports. Virgin Australia offer a limited service to Tonga from New Zealand and Australi, and Fiji Airways flies from Nadi to Tongatapu.

We do also sometimes advertise flight inclusive packages from selected airports. Where these are shown on our website, prices are correct at the time of quoting, but are subject to continued availability of the fare used. Prices will be reconfirmed at the time of booking, and we will also provide the flight times and airline details before tickets are issued. 
Flight inclusive prices are based on the cheapest Economy ticket class available which is generally non-refundable and non-changeable unless the flight is cancelled for reasons such as Covid-19, in which case the airlines are more flexible. More flexible ticket options, as well as Premium Economy and Business Class tickets are available on request for an additional supplement. Any changes made to flight inclusive bookings will be subject to the airline rules on your ticket. 

Flight CO2 Emissions:

Traveling by air is an amazing way to explore the world, but flights also contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that impact the environment. By considering the airline's CO2 emissions when you choose your flight, you can help minimize your travel footprint.

When selecting your international flights and airline, we do therefore recommend that you try and also take into account the flight CO2 emissions. Some airlines and flight search websites (eg. Google Flights, Skyscanner) do publish this information, so you can compare between your flight options and make an informed decision. Thankfully, many airlines are working towards sustainability efforts, and choosing a greener option allows you to contribute to positive change while still enjoying your incredible adventure.

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation

Vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
Tonga: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus. Malaria is not present unless contracted abroad and brought into the country. Yellow Fever certificates are not required.

The above information can change at short notice. For up to date health information & vaccination requirements we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner or a travel clinic.

Health, Fitness & Dietary info:
You must be able to swim and be confident in the water to join this tour. However you do not need to be a strong swimmer.
You do need a reasonable level of fitness with the ability to climb a moving boat ladder with a maximum capacity of 120kg.
Ha'apai is a remote island with few medical facilities, a limited flight service and unpredicable electricity supply. Please inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies, dietary requirements or physical disabilities that you may have. We can then advise you of whether we can accept your booking to visit the island. Our resort hosts' decision on accepting guests is final. Unfortunately vegan menus are not available due to the lack of available produce.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourist visits to Tonga for less than one month (including UK, EU, USA, CA, AU, NZ). Other nationalities may need to obtain a visa in advance. For further information on your visa requirements, please either contact us or your local visa agency.

The time in Tonga is GMT plus 13 hours. Daylight saving time changes are not applied.

Sockets are three flat pronged and 240 volts (Type I - the same as used in Australia and New Zealand). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already.
If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.

Tonga is a place where you don’t require much in order to be comfortable. It is tropical, sunny and very relaxed, so you only really need to bring a few essentials:

• Valid Passport – with at least 6 months left before expiry.
• Light weight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cottons and natural fibres are best) which appropriately cover the body, when in company of the local communities. (Please understand local customs and religious requirements relating to dress codes. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful)
• Cool footwear (sandals are best). If you are interested in exploring the reefs, a pair of reef shoes is recommended to avoid injuries.
• Swimming costumes – rash-guards/t-shirts are recommended for snorkelling to avoid sunburn.
• Sunscreens, after sun lotions and personal hygiene products – Please adhere to 100ml restrictions for anything you wish to carry on hand-luggage on flights.
• Prescription medications (if required) – please bring supporting documents.
• Power adapter for phones, laptops etc – see Voltage section
• Underwater camera with sufficient batteries and memory cards (swimming with whales is an amazing experience and its well worth being able to take photos. A waterproof compact camera with a wrist lanyard will generally manage colours better and is more versatile than a GoPro).
• Sun hat (ideally with a chin strap to prevent them blowing off in the wind while on the boat)
• Sunglasses (polarising sunglasses will reduce glare and help you see into the water)
• Light spray jacket to keep out the wind
• Dive certification card and log book if you intend to participate in SCUBA diving.

Luggage allowances:
Most international airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 23kg per person of checked in luggage to go in the hold of the plane. However, domestic flights between the main island and Ha'Apai n Tonga have lower personal luggage allowances of 15kg per person (allowances may be combined between 2 or more people if you are travelling on the same ticket - eg. two people could check in one 20kg bag and one 10kg bag).
Most international airlines allow between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Domestic flights within Tonga are restricted to 4.5kg.
For simplicity we recommend that you bring no more than 15kg per person of checked in luggage and 4.5kg per person of carry on luggage. All luggage must be labelled with your name & address.
Please ask us for details if you are unsure about luggage allowances on your tour. Any excess baggage fees will be your responsibility to cover.