We carry out whale swim ecotours in the pristine waters around vavau where the majestic humpback whales come every year to mate and calf. Each year our islands are visited by magnificent humpback whales that arrive in july to give birth and wean their young. Swimming with whales vavau islands tonga best time to visit. Even better, the islands that surround vavau provide protection from the winds, ensuring that we can go out on the water almost every day. In 2006 its estimated population of 100,000 people was spread out over 36 inhabited islands, with two thirds concentrated on the main island of tongatapu 1. Whale swimming trips to the main group of islands in vavau. The humpbacks of vavau offer many and varied opportunities to swim with whales. We want to share this amazing whaleswim adventure with you. Check out our price list and then secure your spot on one of our boats for a truly unforgettable experience in vavau tonga with dolphin pacific diving. From the end of august to the beginning of october, humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae congregate around the islands of the kingdom of tonga in the tropical pacific. Tonga is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with whales up close. Tonga was a last minute addition to my pacific trip.
In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and read more. Whale swimming trips to the main group of islands in vava u. It houses 3000 fiction, nonfiction and childrens books. Vavau offers protected waters and the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in tonga. Neiafu is the capital of the vavau island group and is nestled next to the the natural deep water harbour the port of refuge. Vavau, tonga islands cruise port, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are a san francisco based travel agency that works with local companies in vavau,tonga to provide the best experiences for our clients. Swim with whales in tonga dolphin pacific diving and.
Firstly, i visited vava u last year 2007 and had one of the best tripsholidays of my life. Here, is where you find vava u island which is a hot spot for humpback whale action. Although the country has many agricultural exports, from the 1990s onward, tourism has become an increasingly important source of. The location was superb with sweeping views of the ocean, reefs and islands beyond. Vava u is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. Times are tough for the travel community right now. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see the. The best things to do in vavau islands 2020 with photos. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where there are tourist services providing a swim with whales experience. Vava u public library scholarship fund recipients the library has been supported and funded by the islands residents and visitors for 25 years. The whales the islands whale swimming contact general whales can be encountered in many ways. The 10 best vavau islands hotels where to stay in vava.
The vavau islands lay north of the main island of tonga a 55 minute flight away. Tonga is the only country in the southern hemisphere where you can actually swim with humpback whales. The guide and skipper were very experienced, knowledgable and friendly and we had 3 amazing swims with a humpback mum, calf and escort. Some sounds are very low frequency and you may not be able to hear well without a bass speaker. This photograph taken on august 4, 2008 shows a humpback whale diving near the island of vavau in tonga. According to tradition the maui god finished up both tongatapu and vava. About us swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga. Boat, guide, sandwiches, light refreshments and 15% tongan goverment tax are included in the price. This is not your ordinary whale watching tour off your local coast, this is much more.
About dolphin pacific diving and whale watching we are experts in whale watching and getting our guests swimming with whales, for a once in a lifetime experience. Book here for your chance to swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. Swimming with whales disturbing natural behaviour rnz. This is one of the few places in the world where you can actually get in the water and swim with whales in the wild. Based at fangafoa marina just a five minute walk from the centre of neiafu town, beluga diving offers a range of exciting dive tours and padi dive courses, and now has a whale watch license.
We, along with two other operators, whale watch vavau and sailing safaris worked closely with the tongan government, sprep, whales alive, ifaw and other ngos to start to formulate the guidelines which were finally passed into tongan law in 20. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is. A large population of humpback whales gathers around vavau islands in tonga between july and october. Join us on our once in a life time whale watch tours, experience firsthand why dolphin pacific is the operator of choice for bbcs life and. As noted earlier, we are in the northern end of tonga, specifically the vavau group of islands. Vavau is the best place in tonga to go whale swimming with the gental giants of the pacific ocean.
The protected waters close to the sea cliffs and islands provide an ideal environment for the birth of each years. Welcome to the spectacular islands of vavau in the kingdom of tonga. There are a range of options to choose from day trips to package deals on an islands resort. All about vavau for those who enjoy the tranquil tropical break in idyllic surroundings, vavau is a must. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first licence from the tongan government in 1993. Its first european visitor was don francisco antonio mourelle of spain. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi magic chart. Let mv ashlee g and mv kalo take you on the experience of a lifetime, whale watchingswimming in the beautiful waters of the vavau islands, tonga. The vavau island group in the kingdom of tonga is a. Come aboard our fast modern vessel and witness these giants attending their new born calves and performing spectacular breaching and mating rituals. With 22 years of working in these waters, understanding whales and finding great dive sites, we know what it takes to offer you a truly unforgettable day. When i was in fiji i was having an incredibly amazing time and decided that i would rather stay for an extra 3 weeks in the area before heading back.
We are planning to go back again to do whale swimming again this year with whaleswim tonga. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vavau, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau archipelago. Hundreds of whales stop at haapai each year between july and october and as haapai is further south geographically many whales wishing to travel to vavau have to pass through haapai first anyway. Economic activity derived from whale based tourism in vava u, tonga article in coastal management 416. Great crew, amazing swims, and awesome memories to take home it is a one in a million experience and tongan expeditions has proven once again to make sure that it is an incredible experience for everyone on board. The joys of solo traveling is that you can decide anytime to change plans. Diving vavau diving in vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. Firstly, i visited vavau last year 2007 and had one of the best tripsholidays of my life. A humpback whale diving near the island of vavau in tonga.
Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga. When keith, the ownerskipper, first noticed humpback whales breaching and lazing in vavau waters, he decided to add whale watching to his license. The protected waters close to the sea cliffs and islands provide an ideal environment for the birth of each years babies and an opportunity for prospective males to mate and create n. Tourism disturbing whale behaviour in tongas vavau rnz news.
Located on the remote kapa island, reef resort vavau offers bungalowstyle accommodations directly opposite the japanese coral garden, a popular snorkeling spot. The main island of vavau is spread across an area of 115 square kilometres and is home to tongas. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga plos. The early days were a real learning curve as there was nowhere else in the world we could seek advice.
Vavau is a group of more than 50 islands in tonga, about 150 miles north of tongatapu. Humpback whale, vavau, tonga humpback whale, whale. History vavau is believed to have been settled for around 2000 years. Every year from july to november the whales complete their migration from the cold feeding waters south of new zealand and australia, to the warmer tropical waters of tonga where they give birth to calves and perform courtship readying themselves for the next season. Vavau, tonga as a result, today it is the oldest and last remaining polynesian monarchy, and its culture remains strong, even in the face of modernization. Whales in the wild swimming with humpback whales in vava. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae vava u, tonga tonga is one of the very few places you can actually snorkel within close proximity to whales. Whales in the wild swimming with humpback whales in vavau. The whales whale swim whale watch tonga with vaka vave. History of vavau group lonely planet travel information. If you just wanted to take a day off from fishing, kiwi magic has been associated with the whale watch industry in vavau, kingdom of tonga since 1991. Humpback whales, vavau, tonga by erik schlogl redbubble.
Spend seven full days snorkeling with humpback whale mothercalf pairs on their calving grounds in the polynesian country of tonga, and explore coral gardens off the coast of vavau. The vavau island group is known to be the prettiest island group in the kingdom of tonga, and mala island is considered to be the jewel of vavau as a true private island paradise. Here, is where you find vavau island which is a hot spot for humpback whale action. In a more outgoing moment, this whale swam by and eyeballed me.
Behavioural responses of humpback whales to vessel and swimming tourism. Vavau is the third most northern group of islands in the kingdom of tonga, and hosts 42 limestone islands filled with marine life, snorkel sites, white sandy beaches and is home to the south. The beautiful, sheltered, islands of vavau are the rendezvous point for the annual migration of humpback whales escaping the harsh antarctic winter. Whale watch vavau pioneered swimming with the humpback whales obtaining the first license from the tongan government in 1993. Swimming with humpback whales in tonga, one of the least visited countries in the world, was one of the most impressive experiences, mostly because you can get up and close with these majestic animals in the complete wildness of the ocean. Enjoy a truly beautiful island with white sandy beaches, world class snorkeling and a breathtaking view from our open air restaurant more info. The best things to do in vavau islands updated 2020 must.
Watch for humpback whale spouts, spyhopping and breaching while enjoying an educational briefing from an informed local guide. Tonga, the beautiful and undiscovered country in the south pacific. The best things to do in vavau islands updated 2020. The vavau group, regarded as tongas most scenic, has some 34 islands, of which only 21 are inhabited. This began the evolution of the very successful whale swim and whale watch industry in vavau. Swimming with wild humpback whales in tongas vavau. While you are on the whale trail download the free mobile application, whale alert, that allows you to submit location data to reduce ship strikes that occur. Trades and services vavau islands, tonga, south pacific. We had just five days on the water and four of them were just too windy and the whales were very shy.
Geologically they are similar to niue, with very little reef and very deep. Enjoy a boat ride through the pristine inland waterways of the vavau island group. Tonga and the dominican republic, i was told, are two of the most well known. Swim with whales in the wild and maybe look a humpback in the eye. Vavau is where whale swimming all began and is still the destination of choice for the majority of travellers to tonga. The tongan islands were allegedly captured like deepwater fish by the polynesian god maui with a magic hook, whose younger son kisikisi taught the islanders about fire, cooking, and building wooden homes. Keith, skipper, of kiwi magic first became aware of the amazing humpback whales when taking his first sport fishing charters back in the early 90s. Named a national geographic traveler tour of a lifetime in 2009. Whale watch vavau neiafu 2020 all you need to know before. The crystalclear blue waters are another draw for many, as the water makes it much easier to get fantastic footage and photos of these gentle giants.
We had our first purpose designed boat, phoenix, built in new zealand and shipped to the kingdom early that year. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of neiafu known as the port of refuge harbour is a common destination for yachties sailing the south pacific. His ship, the princesa, ran short of supplies while sailing from the philippines to spanish america, and after a fruitless visit to the volcanic island fonualei which they named amargura, meaning bitterness, they sighted vavau island on 4 march 1781. Vavau 444 416 551 460 450 haapai 62 36 91 niuas 65 85 80 total 786 718 981 estimate vavau, kingdom of tonga, south pacific gps coordinates of location. In addition to being a cultural capital, it is a fantastic place to view a wide array of wildlife, especially in the crystalclear lagoon, where divers can see to a depth of feet. Phoenix and lulutahi are equipped with a hydrophone to listen to the whales, as well as a viewing platform, toilet, and snorkelling equipment. Effects of whalebased tourism in vavau, kingdom of tonga ncbi. Nikon d810, afs nikkor 1635mm f4g e millions of unique designs by independent artists. The warm waters surrounding vavau make ideal calving and mating grounds for the magnificent humpback whale. Divingswimming with great white sharks filmed for the first time carcharias the great white 2000 duration. The kingdom of tonga is a small island nation in the middle of the south pacific. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. View mother whales basking with their newborn calves it is not guaranteed because we are subject.
Aug 11, 2016 swimming with hump back whales in vava u, tonga. Swimming with humpback whales in vavau, tonga kiwi. Whats the difference between whale watching in haapai and vavau. Vava u is one of the only few places in the world where you can not only go wale watching but also get into the water and swim with wild humpback whales.
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