Swimming with Humpbacks + Island Adventure in Tonga

What you'll do

1

Once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with humpback whales

Tonga is one of only two countries in the world where you can swim with humpback whales in their natural habitat. Even if you arrive with high expectations, this is a supernatural experience that will literally blow your mind.
2

Stay in a one-of-a-kind overwater eco-resort

We’ll be staying on a remote island camp with basic yet charming overwater bungalows and surrounded by raw, untouched nature.
3

Learn about humpbacks from local guides who have grown up here

Our small groups allow for maximum time in the water with the whales. Our guides are locals to the island village and their families have been living lives connected to Humpback whales for generations.
4

Situated in the heart of whale activity

Since most boats looking for whales are coming from Vava’u (a 45-minute speed boat from our location), we have a jump on the day every morning and a distinct advantage over other groups, since our island camp is literally in the middle of whale activity.
5

Photo education

Whether you are a pro photographer or just enjoy taking cool shots with your phone/GoPro, our Matador photo instructors will work with you during informal photo walks and mini-workshops to take your photography to another level. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about underwater and nature photography.
6

A professional video of your epic adventure

Our professional in-house filmmaker will be documenting our adventure on a daily basis, and we will give you the video of this trip so that you can relive the adventure and share it with friends and family on social media.
7

Support local communities through sustainable travel

We aim to travel as consciously as possible. This trip supports green renewable energy from wind and solar power.

The Tongan word Faka’apa’apa means respect for the whales, and this experience is created to respect the whales, the natural way of life on the island, and preserve the whale habitat.

Trip Details

What's my itinerary?
- 5 days of 6-hr whale-watching tours.
- Village visits, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, and other island adventures.
- Traditional and fresh Tongan food.
- Kava ceremonies, education about Humpback whales in Tonga, and other cultural experiences.
- Relaxation on your own private section of paradise.
What’s included?
- - 8 nights lodging in an overwater Blue Lagoon eco-lodge.
  - 5 whale watching excursions in a semi-private 4-person boat with Matador Trips and transportation provider Blue Lagoon.
  - Snorkel gear.
  - All freshly prepared meals, snacks, and beverages (coffee, tea, water).
  - Airport transfers to and from Lupepau’u airport to Neiafu harbor and then boat transfer to the private lodge.
  - Private, pristine beaches.
  - On island activities including snorkeling, trekking, village tours, botanical gardens, remote and private beaches, and more.
  - Photography training with a focus on underwater photography.
  - Videographer and a video of the trip you can take home at the end.
What’s not included?
- - Your flights.
  - Perfect weather.
  - Alcoholic beverages.
  - Top-rated activities are offered on the island for an additional fee including deep sea fishing, diving, sailing, kayaking, and more.
What’s the sleeping situation?
- - Accommodations are in unique, private overwater fale (the Tongan word for overwater house) bungalows. Each fale sleeps two people comfortably. Mosquito nets and fans are provided.
Who is this trip for?
- - This trip is suitable for anyone, such as solo travelers, families, and large groups. Whether you crave ocean sport activities or relaxing the days away while listening to the waves of the ocean, there is something for everyone. Whale watching is suitable for all ages, and to enter the water with whales you must be able to swim.
What makes this destination so special?
- Vava’u, Tonga, is one of very few places in the world where small groups (four at one time with a whale) are allowed to enter the water and truly engage with this unique species. Being located so close to the whale activity, our boats are often the only boats out in the early morning, allowing full and unfettered access to private whale encounters.
How do I get there?
- Fua’amotu International Airport in Tongatapu is the main entry point for most visitors into Tonga. There are direct flights to Tonga from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Virgin Blue, Air New Zealand, and Fiji Airways are the three main airline choices. To get to Vava’u from Tongatapu, we suggest flying with Tongan domestic airline, Real Tonga, which is approximately a 60-minute flight.
Health and safety update (coronavirus)
Matador Trips is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in the US and abroad.

In our team’s estimation, if the coronavirus pandemic is a continued threat in the fall of 2021 this Trip will be rescheduled and a 100% refund will be offered to travelers.

We strongly encourage travelers to take necessary precautions for safeguarding their health while traveling abroad.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the novel coronavirus outbreak, also known as 2019-nCoV.

When visiting Tonga or other destinations, please regularly review Travel Advisories from your home country for the most up to date information.

Travel Information from the United States Government:
- Travel advisories
- Coronavirus information

COVID-19 update

Due to the unprecedented global crisis and current international travel restrictions, all Matador Trips before August 1st have been pushed to new dates. The following trips on the following dates are on, and happening as planned!

Small Group Tonga: Swimming with Humpbacks - August 23rd-31st, 2020
Remote Sailing Adventure, Palawan Philippines - November 13th-17th, 2020
Ultimate Peru: Machu Picchu, Eco Rainforest, and Beyond - December 3rd-12th, 2020
Ecuador Volcano Trekking + UNESCO Sites - January 15th-22nd, 2021
Photo Safari through Namibia and Cape Town - February 24th-March 6th, 2021

We believe that all of the above trips will happen as planned, but we realize this is a time of uncertainty. To address that, we are offering a 100% refund for any COVID related cancelations.

If the coronavirus pandemic prevents the above trip departures, affected trips will be rescheduled and a 100% refund will be offered to travelers. Please reach out to our team if you have questions about any of the trips of our cancelation / refund guarantee.

Any questions please contact: trips@matadornetwork.com

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Photo Education

Learn photography tips
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Every Matador Trip is led by a professional travel photographer, there to capture the best shots of your trip to share with your friends and to train both amateurs and skilled photographers in their methods!

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Video of Your Trip

We’ll create an epic
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We provide a complimentary video documenting the adventure for you to take home at the end of the trip!

#5 Swimming with Humpbacks + Island Adventure in Tonga

Matador Trips: Tonga

Highlights

What you'll do

Guides

Scott Sporleder

Where
we’re going

Trip Details

This adventure is not for everyone

But trust us,

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