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
31/08 to 07/09/2026
07/09 to 14/09/2026
18/09 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!
REBECCA
cannot speak highly enough of Inside Divers. I went on their Humpback Whale trip to Tonga and it was absolutely sensational! The planning, organisation and communication was faultless. Their team is fantastic and so accommodating.
The trip was nothing short of awe-inspiring. We had 5 days of phenomenal whale interactions thanks to the expertise of our brilliant skipper, guide, and expedition leader; there is no doubt they are the best team on the island!
To share the waters with such magnificent giants was such an immense privilege, especially when the mums would trust you around their curious calves! We had close in-water encounters during a heat run, with mothers and calves, and listened to many songs which echoed through the water. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. It was great to see how the whole team respected the whales and could read them perfectly to know when an in-water drop was possible and when to admire from afar.
A special thank you to our epic expedition leader Ines whose passion and enthusiasm for the whales and the ocean made the trip even more special, magical and fun! And to top it all off her photography is out of this world incredible!! I really cannot thank you enough for making this trip the most life-changing adventure ever!!!