Capturing Images of Humpback Whales in Tonga

Experience the Magic of Swimming with Whales in Tonga

Tonga, an independent kingdom located on the eastern edge of the Indo-Australian Plate, is a haven for marine life enthusiasts. This archipelago, composed of 176 coral and volcanic islands, thirty-six of which are inhabited, offers a unique opportunity to swim with humpback whales.

Tonga is particularly famous for its Vavau' island group, where most tourism occurs. Here, volcanoes and hills provide shelter from wind and waves, making it the ideal spot for whale watching. The Tongan government issues a set number of permits that allow people to swim with whales and photograph them, ensuring a responsible and ethical interaction.

When swimming with these gentle giants, encounters can include single males singing, heat runs where males fight for dominance, calm periods when the mother whale is resting and nursing, and active periods when the mother is teaching the baby how to breach and slap its flukes on the surface.

Underwater sea mounts await, offering schooling barracuda, wahoo, and tuna sightings. Divers can finish their dive cruising through shallow pinnacles with soft corals and sea fans. For macro divers, soft corals are home to many creatures including scorpion fish, nudibranchs, and more.

When photographing large animals in the blue, strobes are not used as they create drag and are not powerful enough to light up sharks, dolphins, or whales. As for lenses, the widest the better, with any of the following doing the job: Canon 15 mm, Nikon 10.5 mm & 16 mm fish eye, and Tokina 10-17 mm fisheye.

Two types of charters are available for swimming with whales: open or share boats and private charters. Open boats take around 8-10 people and cost between $150-200 US per person per day. Private charters are for small groups whose expectations are higher and are perfect for scientists, naturalists, and nature photographers.

The current regulations for swimming with whales in Tonga in 2025 include several specific rules to protect the whales and ensure safe, responsible interactions. Key points are:

Whale encounter sessions are limited to 90 minutes, after which there must be a compulsory one-hour break before another encounter.
Boats and swimmers must keep a distance: boats stay at least 10 meters away, and swimmers maintain a 5-meter gap from the whales at all times.
No more than four tourists may be in the water simultaneously, and they must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
The total time for whale-spotting excursions is capped at 7 hours, from departure to return to dock.
These rules are part of strict, low-impact ecotourism regulations designed to protect humpback whales that migrate to Tonga annually to mate, birth, and nurse calves.

Swimming with whales is unlike any other experience on earth and is quite humbling. If a layover is required in Fiji, the Tanoa International Hotel is a convenient, clean option with airport pickup and drop-off service. In most cases, the international date line will be crossed, and a day will be lost, but upon return, a day will be gained.

For those with an extended layover in Tongatapu, the Fuaamotu Lodge offers a day room and rest, located a five-minute drive and offering good food and big portions.

In Vavau', there are several choices for accommodations, including bed and breakfast style, backpackers, home stay, hotels in Neiafu, and a number of resorts on the outer islands.

Just getting to Tonga can be an adventure, with flights from LA taking 10 hours and often requiring a layover in Nadi, Fiji or Tongatapu, Tonga. However, the journey is worth it for the chance to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Tonga, with its 176 coral and volcanic islands, offers unique opportunities for marine life enthusiasts, particularly the chance to swim with humpback whales.
Vavau' island group in Tonga is famous for its whale watching, providing shelter from wind and waves ideal for the activity.
When swimming with humpback whales, encounters can include various behaviors, such as male singing, heat runs, calm mother-child periods, and active teaching moments.
Underwater sea mounts in Tonga offer sightings of schooling barracuda, wahoo, and tuna, while macro divers can discover creatures like scorpion fish, nudibranchs, and more in soft corals.
Photographing large animals in the blue water does not require strobes, as they create drag and are not powerful enough to light up sharks, dolphins, or whales.
There are two types of charters available for swimming with whales in Tonga: open boats and private charters, with private charters ideal for small groups.
In 2025, regulations for swimming with whales in Tonga include limitations on encounter sessions, mandatory breaks, boat and swimmer distances, restrictions on the number of tourists, and time caps for whale-spotting excursions.
Swimming with whales is a humbling experience and can be combined with a stay at the Tanoa International Hotel in Fiji for a layover or the Fuaamotu Lodge on Tongatapu for an extended layover.
Vavau' offers various accommodations, including bed and breakfast, backpackers, home stays, hotels, and resorts on the outer islands.
The journey to Tonga can be an adventure, with flights from LA taking 10 hours and often requiring a layover in Fiji or Tongatapu.
Despite the travel challenges, the opportunity to swim with humpback whales in their natural habitat makes the journey worth it, offering an unforgettable travel, lifestyle, and sports experience.