Whales

water with the humpbacks, snorkelling quietly next to mothers, newborn calves and male ‘escorts’, hearing their beautiful, haunting songs as you gaze into their eyes in the water.

Feel the exchange of trust of a humpback mother as she allows her calf to swim and twirl next to you under water. [pic] Whales in Paradise (9 days) AU $3900 (dble/twin only) 2009: 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 02 Oct Join us for an awe-inspiring opportunity to be in the beautiful crystal clear water with the humpbacks, snorkeling quietly next to mothers, newborn calves and male ‘escorts’, hearing their beautiful, haunting songs as you gaze into their eyes in the water. Feel the exchange of trust of a humpback mother as she allows her calf to swim and twirl next to you under water.

We spend the first 4 nights at Mystic Sands beach Bungalows on a private white sandy beach & turquoise sea – just a 15min taxi ride to town plus 4 nights at the new luxurious Reef Resort on Kapa Island on the edge of a coral garden. The fresh eclectic food served at Reef is the best in Vava’u . Staying out among the islands, gives this expedition a feeling that you are truly in an untouched paradise and chances are that the whales may come to play just off the beach! Our skipper, Kam will pick us up 6 of the 7 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira.

Kam’s love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the ‘leisure days’ you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, have a lobster lunch in town, shop for local handicraft or chill-out on the beach or you own private deck! [pic] Paradise Islands Experience (9 days) from AU $3700 (dble/twin) or AU $4250 (single) 2009: 24 July, 04 Sept We spend the first night and the last night at Hilltop Hotel, overlooking the beautiful harbours of Neiafu just a short walk to the market, cafes, restaurants where you can experience the local way of life.

You then head out to the paradise island of Eu’eiki for 45 nights. This island is picture postcard perfect and the resort is traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms and the restaurant is on the white sandy beach overlooking the beautiful turquoise sea. There is one of the best snorkeling reefs right off the beach and on some days watch the whales as they play! The next 3 nights are on the island of Foeata to the Blue Lagoon Resort right in the middle of the humpback whale nursery. At Blue lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef.

This unique resort overlooks the blue lagoon and beyond the reef – the whales play. Our skippers, Kampeli, will pick us up 7 of the 9 days to go out to snorkel with the humpback whales, on our whale watching boat, Makaira. His love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. On the 2 ‘leisure days’ you can go on an island tour in great little go-karts, sail around the harbour, outrigger canoeing around the beautiful islands, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock! [pic] Paradise Islands Adventure (7 days) from AU $3360 (dble/twin) or AU $4400 (single) 009: 07 Aug, 18 Sep, 26 Sep We have 2 different itineraries for this tour – the first 2 tours have 5 nights at Twin View Motel (apartment accommodation) and spend 3 nights at Blue lagoon resort in the Humpback whale ‘nursery’ on beautiful Foeata Island. All the fales on Foeata Island are traditional (on the outside! ) and have queen beds with mosquito nets a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom all feature inspiring views of the crystal clear, turquoise waters of lagoon. At Blue lagoon Resort gourmet food is prepared by an internationally trained cuisine chef.

This unique resort overlooks the beautiful turquoise lagoon and beyond the reef – the whales play. The 3rd tour includes 1 night at Hilltop Hotel, 4 nights on the exquisite island of Eu’eiki at the eco resort – a picture postcard tropical island – traditional thatched fales with en-suite bathrooms, great food and a superb snorkeling reef right off the beach. The last 3 nights are at Blue lagoon Resort on Foeata island. Our skipper, Kampeli will pick us up 6 of the 6 or 7 days to go out to snorkel with the Humpback whales, on our whale-watching boat, Makaira.

Kam’s love of the whales seems to give him the ability each day to know just where we can find them. He is a skilled dive master and skipper also. On the ‘leisure days’ you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or chill-out in a hammock! [pic] ‘Swim with the Whales’ expeditions (3 days) from AU $1200 (dble/twin) or AU $1380 (single) 2009: 04 Aug, 18 Aug, 15 Sept, 06 Oct If you are short of time OR you just want 3 days out with the humpback whales – – then this package will be perfect to include in your visit to Vava’u.

This trip includes: 3 nights’ accommodation (4 resorts to choose from) with breakfast & dinner at Blue Lagoon Resort and Eu’eiki Island Eco Resort and just breakfast at Hilltop Hotel & Twin View Motel; 3 full day boat trips with the whales with a packed lunch; snorkeling; experienced skipper and guide (with water safety qualifications); guidance in the water with the whales; information on Humpback whale behaviour, guidelines and education for ‘in the water’ encounters, whale spotting etc. ; conservation and environmentally aware staff. Our tours begin at 9am at our boat jetty in Neiafu on the first day of the tour.

If you are staying on an outer island prior to the tour, you will need to pay extra for the boat transfer and we will pick you up between 9. 30 – 10am for the whale watching days. [pic] Paradise Islands Deluxe (9 days) from AU $5700 (dble/twin only) 2009: 07 Aug This tour is the best luxury accommodation Vava’u has to offer and has just 4 guests! The first 4 nights are spent at The Sovereign Residence – which was the residence of Tonga’s Royal Princess Pilolevu, now converted to an exclusive guest house. There are just 2 suites and is on the edge of the beautiful Port of Refuge.

The restaurant caters exclusively for guests and private dinners with the best fresh local produce. The last 4 nights are at the luxurious Reef Resort on Kapa Island on the edge of a coral garden. The fresh eclectic food served at Reef is the best in Vava’u. Staying out among the islands, gives this expedition a feeling that you are truly in an untouched paradise and chances are that the whales may come to play just off the beach! After breakfast each morning, the expertly operated whale-watch boat ‘Hakuna Matata’, will come along side the jetty each morning to take you on your day’s adventure.

Whale encounters can’t be guaranteed every day, but every day will be unforgettable, exploring uninhabited islands and cays, and being rewarded with priceless photographs for your efforts. The Tonga whale watching guidelines allow just 4 people and a guide in the water at one time with the whales, so you will have maximum time with the whales in a tour group of 4. travellers’ tales Most memorable would definitely be the first time that you slip in the water and your eyes take in the huge picture in front of you that is the humpback whales. Phenomenal, breathtaking, hard to describe to anyone who has not seen it. more) how this holiday makes a difference |There are approximately 450 Humpback whales that migrate to Tonga each year, during our days |Tourism can be good and bad for | |on the water, we endeavor to allow as many in-the-water encounters as possible without |destinations & local people. | |harassing the whales. Some days we may only witness surface activity other days we may |We carefully screen every holiday | |experience in-the-water encounters, as weather and tides are believed to effect the behaviour |against our criteria for | of the whales and where they ‘hang out’. |responsible travel. | | |’Look behind the brochure’ to find| |We ask you to fully appreciate that to have an opportunity to swim with humpback whales is |how each holiday makes a | |rare, very unique and a precious gift. We strictly abide by the Whale-Watching Guidelines |difference (see left). | |therefore there is always only four people plus the guide in the water with the whales at one |We don’t claim to be perfect – | time. |there is no global accreditation -| | |but we’ve led the way since 2001 | |When whale-watching: |and screened 1000’s of holidays. | |• Cease contact at any sign of whales, particularly mothers and calves, becoming distressed |We invite every traveller to write| |or alarmed |a review about their experiences | • Allow the whales to control the nature and duration of the encounter |and responsible tourism. | |• Whales may leave an area if continually disturbed |This valuable feedback is sent to | |• Respect the marine environment |the people who run the holidays. | |• Do not throw rubbish or other objects into the water |We keep a very close eye on it and| |• Dumping rubbish, particularly plastics, can kill whales and other sea life through |take off holidays that don’t live | accidental swallowing or entanglement |up to our standards. | |• If whale-watching from land, remain within established footpaths and lookout points, | | |protect the environment, e. g. don’t trample vegetation, minimise noise levels & don’t swim to | | |the whales from the shore | | [pic]