BIG ANIMALS AND LITTLE CRITTERS
OCEANIA
Tonga
By TIM ROCK
There are very few places in the world where people can enjoy the grace and majesty of humpback
whales in their natural habitat, and the waters of Tonga may well be the most famous. Watching
the interaction between mother and calf is an amazing experience that keeps people returning
year after year to observe how they bond and move as a pair. The males can get into fights over the
right to mate with a female, and the resulting spectacle of huge whales fighting in the open ocean
is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Only snorkelling is allowed, and no more than four snorkellers, along with your registered guide,
can be in the water at a time. The guide tries to best position snorkellers to see the whales without
encroaching on the animals’ personal space. If you are photographing or filming, make sure your guide
understands this and positions you as best they can with your back to the sun for optimum lighting – as
strobes and video lights won’t be of much use on such big subjects.
By far, Vava‘u, Tonga’s northern island group, is the most popular spot in the kingdom to interact
with humpbacks, while Ha‘apai, the central island group, is also a beautiful setting to pursue these
most impressive creatures of the ocean.
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13. The opportunity to
interact with Tonga’s
biggest marine creatures
makes it worth the trek
to this far-flung kingdom
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
The humpbacks migrate from
Antarctica to Tonga to calve and
mate in Tonga’s winter season. July
through very early October are the
best months with August into early
September considered the height
of the season.
HOW
Flights into the Tongan capital,
Nuku‘alofa, come mainly from Fiji
and New Zealand. From Nuku‘alofa
take a domestic flight to Vava‘u or
Ha‘apai.
STAY/DIVE
• Dolphin Pacific Diving
(www.dolphinpacificdiving.com)
• Whale Discoveries
(www.whalediscoveries.com)
TOPSIDE
Procure a beautiful bone carving
from the morning market, drop by
one of the many small restaurants
in Vava‘u, and kick back with the
locals and a glass of kava.
ENTRY
For nationals of most countries,
visas are not required for stays of
up to 30 days.
SDOP
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