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 leader Ines Goovaerts 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.
DATES
25/08 to 01/09/2025
01/09 to 08/09/2025
17/09 to 24/09/2026
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. 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, relaxed mothers, playful adults, singing males and if we are lucky a humpback heat run!
Accommodation
Vavau Beach Front Villas, located in the Vavaʻu island group of the Kingdom of Tonga, offers an the perfect base for your adventure. We have chartered this charming beachfront property. The property is a vacation residence without resort amenities such as an onsite restaurant or pool, but the prime location, spacious rooms, and laid-back vibe make it the ideal for our expedition. The property features a private jetty right by the water, offering stunning views of the harbor. Breakfast will be provided by one of the best restaurants on the island.
We have exclusively rented the entire property, which includes 4 rooms, each with a private bathroom and ocean views. The property is right on the beach invite for relaxing sunsets and lovely snorkels right off the property.
Vavau Beach Front Villas
Ines Goovaerts
Ines Goovaerts is a passionate freelance award-winning nature photographer & tour leader with a deep love for the ocean and its inhabitants. From having a look at her work, you can tell she has a soft spot for cetaceans and megafauna.
With extensive experience in marine tourism, she has guided numerous adventurers through unforgettable underwater encounters, fostering connections between people and the natural world. Combining her artistic vision with a commitment to tell the ocean’s story through visuals, Ines aims to capture imagery that both inspires and educates. Her expertise and enthusiasm make her a valuable addition to the Insider Divers team as a travel guide, ready to lead fellow explorers to some of the world's most spectacular underwater destinations.
YOUR insider ON THIS TRIP
SL
Tonga was my third Insider Divers trip and they just keep getting better! This particular trip was an absolute dream come true: experiencing the humpbacks, especially the young calves and mothers is just unforgettable. From the moment I touched down in Tonga to the day I left, there was not a single detail I had to worry about as this was all expertly arranged by Simon and his team. Simon’s attention to detail is one of the many things that sets IDs trips apart from others, resulting in an amazing experience for us guests. As an added bonus Simon has shared his stunning photos with us to remember this incredible week. I was a solo traveller and it is always a pleasure to spend a trip with likeminded people. Cannot wait to feed my ID addiction and head back into the water soon!
KITTIE
I just got back from Humpback whales excursions in Tonga with Insider Divers, and it was truly unforgettable! Simon gave us an experience, and GORGEOUS photos, that I will treasure for the rest of my life! He also made sure we were well taken care of every single day! Currently dreaming of their Socorro trip for the future!
JADE
This was my first open water trip. I had snorkelled before but was new to multi day trips and liveaboards. Can honestly say this was one of the best experiences of my life start to finish. I had been to Tromsø before and had seen orcas from the comfort of a rib boat but hadn’t ventured into the water. My very good friend convinced me that this was a trip we should do and once I did some research I was in! I did extensive swimming lessons (25 or so hours) and did an AIDA 2 freediving course in advance so I felt ready and we went with the freediving suits 7mm. It was cold but the freedom of movement was awesome.
Simon was extremely communicative in advance and really put my mind at ease as I was a little worried intially about how experienced I was. Turns out I was definitely in the middle of the group in terms of ability and that was actually perfect.
The boat itself was so fun. The crew were lovely. I can 100% recommend Inside Divers and Simon (dont do the rest of the review)