Activities: Swim with Humpback Whales in Tonga

Whale Swim, Watching & Listening Tour

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Vava’u is an island group like no other that consists of 56 islands within a 20 mile area and one of the few places in the world where it is possible to have the unique experience of swimming with humpback whales. The whales migrate to the protected calving and breeding grounds of the warm and tranquil waters of Vava’u during the months of July through October.

We are a licensed Whale Swim Tour operator with 18 years of experience. Our island resort is located in the heart of the whale sanctuary and on one of the two main channels where the whales enter the island group. We are not keen as other operators in utilizing the swimming with whales experience as a commercial enterprise but we are privileged by our location and therefore we only cater to our guests staying with us at our resort. Our location gives us the advantage of getting a head start on our tours verses the operators which depart from the main town of Neiafu which is 10 miles away.

We practice the art of approaching these gentle mammals with a noiseless manner and determining whether the calf is old enough to be curios to interact with the swimmers. Our tours are done on our traditional 37ft outrigger Tofua’a Moana. Taken from the Polynesian design, this outrigger has been built on the Eueiki Island by the owner, Mark Belvedere. The Tofua’a Moana (Ocean Whale) is an environmentally friendly vessel, moving quickly and smoothly to provide you with the most comfortable and non-obtrusive approach to the whales.

During a whale swim tour, Mark, the owner / operator of treasure Island resort, spotted a humpback whale that had fishermen’s long lines entangled on its’ tail. The whale was in trouble. Concerned for the life of the whale, Mark devised a tool to cut the lines off the whales’ tail. In this video you can see how Mark and our whale swim guide, Nolo saved the humpback whale.

Our Swim with Whales / Whale Watching & Listening tours have a duration of approximately 4 to 6 hours. Our rate for this tour is T$60.00 per person per hour. Therefore, your Swim with Whales / Whale Watching & Listening package may be adjusted accordingly at the end of your stay.

 

Tonga Whale Watching and Swimming Regulations 2013

By law only four guests and one guide are permitted in the water at any one time. Our tour is usually a 6 hour tour weather depending and adjustable at the end of your stay. Please read the following link to get familiarized with our guidelines for this activity.

Please Read: Government of Tonga Whale Watching and Swimming Regulations 2013

Hiking and Exploring

Our 48-acre island is big enough to make it interesting and small enough to get to know it. Our Island has two beautiful hiking trails. The trail to the upper plateau takes its hikers to discover the unknown tomb of an ancient ancestor and rewards them with spectacular views of the islands to the south. The lower plateau trail takes hikers to a cave where our resident Coconut Crabs have been residing for hundreds of years.

This activity is free of charge.

Water Activities

The resort is surrounded by many nearby islands that make ideal destinations for kayaking, sailing and uninhabited island exploring. Our island is fortunate to have a beach that is swimmable at all tide conditions and its’ nearby reef is one of the best snorkeling area in the Kingdom. We provide snorkeling gear, but we suggest you bring your own equipment for maximum comfort.

Customize and Combine your own Tour

**All water related tours a dictated by weather conditions**

  • Fishing
  • Island Hopping Tours
  • Cave Swimming Tours
  • Snorkel Tour

All customized tour activities have a price of T$80.00 per person per hour with a minimum of two persons.

In-house PADI recreational scuba diving will soon be available at Treasure Island Resort.

For those water sport enthusiastic, enjoy the accommodation, hospitality and service that we give by staying at Treasure Island Resort and BOY (Bring your own) Gear to enjoy activities such as:

  • Spear fishing
  • Surfing

A support boat is available on site at a rate of T$80.00 per person per hour.

  • Kite Boarding

Our island has a perfect beach with wind blowing side shore to the beach. Perfect for kite boarders!!!!

If needed a support boat is available for rescue, pick-up and drop-off for a cost of T$120.00 per hour

Historical Adventure in Paradise Snorkel Tour

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Historical Adventure in Paradise Snorkel Tour (Tour available from 16 October thru 14 July)

Venture off by boat on a guided tour to our neighboring island of ‘Euakafa where an interesting hike to the tomb of a Samoan princess and her lover awaits you. Learn some of the historical tales and legends of Tongas’ interesting cultural past and present. Continue on to discover the magnificence of various historical caves on different islands where you will stop for lunch, snorkel and swim inside the caves and their crystal clear waters. This tour is approximately 3 to 4 hours and include in the packaged rates.

Flora and Fauna

Tonga is located on the Pacific Ocean’s infamous “ring of fire” and prevailing currents bring an abundance of volcanic nutrients to the islands to nourish our rich soft and hard coral beds. Our lush tropical forest provides the ideal setting to discover nature’s non-marine beauty from a South Pacific perspective. You can learn to husk, grate and use coconuts for both food and crafts. The island is home to a large number of bird species and lucky bird watchers may even catch a glimpse of “flying foxes” or the Tongan Whistler, one of Tonga’s two endemic species.

This activity is free of charge.

Walk and Circumnavigate the Island


Walk and Circumnavigate the Island (Free of Charge) – At low tide you can walk and circumnavigate the entire island (proper shoe attire is recommended) to enjoy our coral garden, marine life, amazing caves, cliffs and rock formations that have been formed through time by the tides.

Seasonal Activities

Sundays in Tonga

In the Kingdom of Tonga, there is no trade on Sundays. Sunday is a day to relax and soak in the beauty and the culture of this island nation. There is no whale swimming activity on Sundays. The Kingdom of Tonga is the heart of the Polynesian Culture, and one of the oldest kingdoms in the world. This is the only Pacific nation which has never been conquered and is a true monarchy. It, therefore, retains the authentic character and traditions of the South Pacific. On Sundays you can just relax and enjoy our beautiful island and a magnificent beach and a protected reef. You can also enjoy a walk around the island or go to our “outlook” and enjoy the magnificent views. During the evening after dinner, enjoy a Historical talk and learn about the Maritime achievements and History of these great navigators and their unique voyaging vessels.

Whale Swim, Watching & Listening Tour (Tours available from 15th of July thru 15th of October)

Treasure Island Eueiki Eco-Resort is located in the center of the island group where the humpback whales come each year during the months of July, August, September and October. The whales leave the open ocean to give birth to their calves and breed in the warm and protected tranquil waters of Vava’u. Our Island is situated between two of the three deep water channels where the whales enter the island group from the south. We are a licensed whale swim operator. So…start with the advantage of already being in the center of the whale nursery to take our tour from the island on one of our two boats. “Tofua’a Moana” is our traditional 37ft outrigger. Taken from the Polynesian design, this outrigger has been built on Eueiki Island by the owner, Mark Belvedere. The Tofua’a Moana (Ocean Whale) is an environmentally friendly vessel, moving quickly, smoothly and quietly to provide you with the most comfortable and non-obtrusive approach to the whales. “Moana Loloto” (Deep Ocean) designed and built by the resorts’ owner, Mark Belvedere, is our newest addition to our fleet. Built in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, “Moana Loloto” is a 31ft. long, walk around cabin with a tunnel haul and we have her as an exploration, whale swim and scuba boat. This vessel is also very quiet and efficient when utilizing it for swimming with the whales. Enjoy the singing of the male’s song through our hydrophones

Children and Whale Swimming

Children are not allowed to participate in the “Swimming with the Whales” activity UNLESS THEY ARE STRICTLY UNDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PARENT AND OR GUARDIAN AND THE RESPONSIBLE ADULT AND OR GUARDIAN SIGNS A WAIVER FOR THE CHILD.