Whale Watching Tonga Trip Report
Stella & Juergen Freund's whale watching Tonga review gives an idea of what it's like to go to one of the last places on earth where you are allowed to swim with Humpback whales in order to photograph them...
In Vava'u, Tonga during September 2007 using Melinda Sea Adventures which is run very well.
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The skipper knew how to operate the sailboat to be able to let us off the boat and have a meaningful interactions with whales. Bruce Moore was also onboard to guide and assist us.
We researched a lot on the web. After canvassing resorts, food and whale watching trips in Vava'u, a liveaboard like Melinda offered everything for an agreeable amount.
Was there anything special you liked about the service they provided?
We were a very intimate group and there was great sensitivity in operating their whale watching/swim programme. The wealth of knowledge of the area and how to have meaningful interactions is key to having a great time.
Did they give a briefing/information about the whales themselves?
Very much so. Bruce who is a photographer himself knew our needs. He shared everything he knew and we got on awfully well. The skipper (I forget his name) was also very good and had years worth of stories to share with us.
How big was the boat, and how many people in total on it?
We were actually not on the Melinda. We were on another sailboat Christy hired for the season. This was a catamaran which could sleep 6 to 8 people.
Would you recommend somebody else use them for their trip?
We have and always do recommend Melinda Adventures to people we know travelling to Vava'u.
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Humpback whales. We saw perhaps 2 different animals mother and calf pairs. The interactions were not as we would have liked them. Very quick and the sightings were little and far in between. But this is nature.
We understand that you can be lucky or unlucky. The idea is to return again and again... luck will eventually be with you.
How close did you get to the whales?
To some we got pretty close, like 3 meters away, for a quick period.
Back to Questions
We left port and headed straight to sea to find whales. First day we saw one right away and were lucky enough to swim with them and photograph the whale topside with the Melinda sailboat passing by.
Very picturesque with the beautiful Vava'u Islands in the background. Underwater images were not as brilliant. Then it was difficult to find them from then on. We could see the whales but when interaction time came, they shied away.
We stayed about 3 nights on the boat and on the last night, about 3 or 4 in the morning, we could loudly hear the humpback whales singing. It woke us up and the singing went on and on as if the whales were beside us.
This was beyond great. It was one of those "for the books" types of experiences that you will talk about for the rest of your life. It was fantastic.
How long did you stay at sea?
We stayed 3 days and 3 nights on the boat.
Were any meals included in the package and how was the food?
Yes, all meals were included and the most cheerful Tongan woman prepared them. The food was excellent, prepared very much like a Western Chef as she had learned from her Austrian husband who is indeed a chef.
The only thing that didn't make us happy was the lack of whales and interactions with whales. But we later heard from Bruce that when we got off the boat, they spent more than an hour with one mother and calf. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. We shall return.
Wildlife interaction is never a guarantee. We have very high requirements to take good photos of any animal. Good visibility, animal behaving well, good weather conditions, etc. None if these are within our power to control.
To say we have expectations is indeed a fact, but nature has to be respected. As I said, you win some, you lose some. We experienced how it is to swim with the whales, we shall return for more and more and more.
The operator did their very best and for that we had totally no complaints and we enjoyed ourselves onboard very much. In fact, I feel we made lasting friends.
Back to Questions
Moderate. We had some good days and bad days.
Did you ever get seasick?
No. The boat was very stable.
Here's how to prevent sea sickness on boat trips »
Where did you stay when not on the boat?
We would recommend a new resort called Reef Resort, which is away from town in a nice island. The day boats pass this resort every time they go out to look for whales.
To have the idea of interacting with whales, you must be in a boat searching for them. Put accommodation, food and boat in the equation and lots of money will be spent.
Being on a liveaboard has the best advantage of being out there at sea morning, noon and night. Then the swimming part can be daunting. You will be swimming in open water with nothing in sight but your boat and a massive animal who may have a playful baby beside her.
It is the most exhilarating experience but knowing how to swim well with a mask, fins and snorkel is a prerequisite to a successful encounter. Bad swimmers are just BAD.
What was the most useful item that you took with?
Our own gear (masks, fins, snorkels), which we are familiar with and we know, will not fail us.
Back to Questions
I would say Melinda operation would be 9. But since we were not so lucky with our whale interaction, our whale watching experience was about 6.
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