tonga
close encounters
ITINERARY
Join us to the absolute epi-centre of humpback whale swimming - The Kingdom of Tonga. We have been lucky to secure a boat charter in peak season in cooperation with the most experienced operator for whale swimming.
Join Insider Divers group leaders Simon Lorenz for the swimming experience of the lifetime. We will be going on an 8 day trip with 5 days on the water. In a small group of only 7 people we will be heading out every day to find and swim with whales.
THE ACTIVITIES
This is a snorkel and freedive only trip. It isn't necessary to be able to freedive but you will need to be ready to fin and swim, preferably without splashing on the surface. If this is your first trip in such a form, do let me know and I can brief you about preparations. Some guests are very quick with regular fins. "Paddle style" fins such as Jetfins or Force fins should be avoided.
This can be a physically demanding trip. If the action is good, you will be doing numerous "jumps" per day, getting in and out of the boat. Boat rides can get very bumpy as we race across the water. If you suffer from serious back problems or have concerns, please do let me know.
Humpback whales
Tonga is the Nr 1 place in the world to swim with humpback whales. Weighing up to a ton and measuring about the length of a Volkswagen bus, being in the water with a baby humpback whale is a breathtaking experience . Now imagine her mother, weighing more than 30 tons and reaching a maximum length of 16m, as she gracefully approaches from the depths. Amazing. Truly amazing. These majestic creatures come to the islands of Tonga from July to October to birth their young and the normally calm clear waters are perfect for whale swimming. We expect to meet curious babies whales and if we are lucky a male heat run!
accommodation
The property can be defined as a vacation residence and does not have standard resort amenities such as an onsite restaurant or pool . However, the prime location, spacious suites and chill vibe make it the preferred choice for this adventure. However it is right by the water inviting for water activities and snorkeling right off the deck.
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YOUR insider ON THIS TRIP
simon lorenz
Simon is an underwater photographer and journalist whose images have appeared in articles and competitions worldwide. He has been photo coaching for many years on numerous workshops, 1-to-1 coaching and on his Youtube channel. He has spoken at many dive events on photography topics and is widely considered a patient and thorough coach.
Simon is the founder of Insider Divers and has been running workshops since 2015. If you have any questions on this workshop he will be more than happy to help in a personal phone call.