Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga
- Barbara
- May 26
- 4 min read
If you've ever dreamed of locking eyes with a whale in the middle of the ocean, let me tell you, Tonga is where the magic happens.
I recently had the absolute privilege of swimming with humpback whales in Tonga. It’s part David Attenborough documentary, part surreal fever dream, and entirely unforgettable.
Where Even the Whales Vacation
Every year from July to October, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Tonga’s warm, shallow waters to mate, give birth, and basically have a big cetacean family reunion. What makes Tonga especially unique is that it’s one of the few places in the world where swimming with whales is legal and in an incredibly respectful and regulated way.
Vava’u, one of the islands in the north, is the island with a large whale population. But also Ha’apai and Tongatapu have a good whale population.
We were based in Tongatapu (main island). In Tongatapu there are two companies that do swimming with whales: Tahi Tonga and Deep Blue Diving. We booked a two day tour with Deep Blue Diving to maximise the chance of seeing them. The tour starts early, 8am and finishes around 16 or 17. They provided snorkeling equipment, refreshment and lunch. Of course seeing whales is never guaranteed as they are wild animals, but we were lucky enough to see and swim with them on both days! (I read online that during the season July-Ocotber you have 95% chance of seeing them). I recommend booking in advance as spots are limited and fill up quickly. We booked 2 months before our trip. Another thing to consider is that there are no tours allowed on Sunday in Tonga as it is their prayer day.
First Contact
When you see a whale the crew will check if it is safe to enter the water and swim with them. If the whales swim away, then they will let them go and look for other whales. So you may see a few whales before you are allowed to actually enter the water. You will then be divided into groups (as only a small number of people are allowed in the water at the same time). Get ready and you will sit at the end of the boat in stand by, ready to jump in when ordered, accompanied by a guide. It is important to stay behind the guide, and as you swim towards the whales, you will be able to see them underwater.
What you need to know:
Be a strong swimmer. They give you a lifejacket if you are not, but you need to be able to swim quite fast and in choppy waters. I have to admit that I felt quite overwhelmed and didn’t manage to get as close as others in my group. You will stay in the water only 5 minutes, maximum 10, but you need to be able to swim in the open ocean. Sometimes you will jump in and not manage to see any whales, it did happen a few times, and they will try to let you go again after another group if possible. This is the reason why we decided to book for 2 days and at the beginning of our trip, so that in case something went wrong (like the tsunami warning we got on the day we landed… which was thankfully revoked!).
Where is legal to swim with whales?
The most common places to swim with whales are Tonga and French Polynesia (Moorea), but you can also do it in Australia, in Hervey Bay. Tonga and Moorea are usually top choices for swimming with whales as they have a big whale population migrating in July-October to mate and give birth.
What whales will I see?
Humpback whales.
A Word on Ethics
One of the first things I searched for when I heard about swimming with whales is whether it was ethical, and the short answer: yes. Tonga has strict regulations in place to protect the whales, and good operators follow a “whales-first” approach. If the whales don’t seem into it, you move on. That’s how it should be. Only licensed operators are allowed to run swimming with whales experiences.
The boat doesn’t chase the whales, but move slowly. Whales are smart and curious animals and often will come close to the boat as curious. People will be allowed to swim only when safe to do so. You will enter the water with a guide and keep a safe distance to the whales (and yes, of course no touching!). The group size of people in the water is also small (maximum 4 people at the same time + a guide), often people are divided into groups, so that while a group is in the water the rest are on the boat.
Is swimming with whales safe?
I won’t hide the fact that the day before the tour I started googling “shark attacks in Tonga”, spoiler: very rare. I felt safe during the whole experience. I got a life jacket while swimming as I feel anxious in the ocean and our guide was excellent. Follow instruction and it will be not only safe but also fun!
And if you’re nervous about getting in the water, you can still go whale watching from the boat. It’s a beautiful experience either way.
Final Splash
Swimming with whales in Tonga wasn’t just a bucket-list tick. It was a soul-stirring, jaw-dropping, tell-all-your-friends kind of experience. And if you ever get the chance, do it!
Pro Tips:
Best time to go: July to October
Bring: Reef-safe sunscreen, a good underwater camera, and your sense of awe
If you are planning your trip to Tonga, make sure to also read Tonga Travel Guide: 17 BEST things to do in Tongatapu and Tonga. Let me know what the most magnificent animal you’ve swum with has been!
You can also read past blog posts:
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All recommendations in this article are 100% based on my personal experience and are currently unpaid. I aim to keep my content genuine, but please note that I am open to future collaborations, and any paid partnerships will always be clearly disclosed.
I routinely check my articles. If you spot any outdated information, please contact me so I can update it immediately!
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