Swimming With Humpback Whales in Tonga: Cost, Tips & Our Honest Experience

19 hours ago

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Swimming With Humpback Whales in Tonga: Cost, Tips & Our Honest Experience

The first time I saw a photo of someone swimming next to a whale, I knew I HAD to do it.

I immediately started Googling where in the world you could swim with whales, and that's when I discovered Tonga.

Photo by @wylde.photography

Then I looked at the prices.

Shoot. This was going to take some saving.

Fast forward ten years. I was sitting in bed, pregnant with my second child, when I saw that The Bucket List Family had purchased an island in Tonga and was offering discounted stays.

I immediately reached out and started chatting with their concierge. Suddenly, this dream I'd had for a decade seemed possible!

We usually bring our kids on our adventures. In fact, they've already visited more than 20 countries! But after debating whether to bring them, my husband and I decided this would be a trip just for us.

And it was going to be BIG.

Like swimming-with-humpback-whales big.

Can You Actually Swim With Humpback Whales in Tonga?

Yes! Tonga is one of the places in the world where you can legally swim with wild humpback whales through regulated tours.

There are strict guidelines designed to protect both the whales and the people swimming with them.

Some of the rules our guides followed included:

Limiting the number of swimmers in the water to four guests at a time, accompanied by a guide.
Entering the water quietly without making large splashes.
Maintaining appropriate distances from whales.
Limiting the time spent interacting with the same group of whales.
Snorkeling rather than scuba diving.

We stayed at Mounu Island, and one of the biggest reasons I loved it was how much the crew respected the whales.

Even when other boats weren't following the same guidelines, our guides were careful to prioritize the whales' well-being.

One thing I learned during our trip is that the ocean is HUGE. There are whales out there, and if you're patient, respectful, and willing to keep looking, you don't need to crowd around the same animals as everyone else.

I appreciated that approach so much.

Best Time to Swim With Whales in Tonga

Humpback whales migrate from the cold waters around Antarctica to warmer tropical waters, including Tonga, where they mate and give birth.

The whale swimming season generally runs from July through October, with late July through early October being a popular period to visit.

We went at the end of August and beginning of September.

We had incredible luck on our first day, but we also heard that guests who visited just a week before us hadn't been as fortunate.

That's the thing about swimming with wild animals: nothing is guaranteed.

Even during peak season, you might see plenty of whales without getting an opportunity to swim with them.

Where We Went: Vava'u, Tonga

We flew into Vava'u (VAV) from Nadi, Fiji (NAN).

Getting to Vava'u isn't necessarily straightforward.

Many international flights into Tonga arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU), near Nuku'alofa, rather than Vava'u.

If you arrive at TBU, you'll need to arrange onward transportation to Vava'u.

During our trip, we met several people who experienced flight cancellations with Lulutai Airlines. Some were stranded in Vava'u for an extra day, while others missed part of their trip because they couldn't get there on schedule.

That's especially frustrating when you've spent so much money on a whale swimming vacation!

For our trip, flying directly from Nadi to Vava'u was a great option. I'd recommend checking that route when planning your visit, although schedules and availability can change.

Getting to Mounu Island

Once we landed in Vava'u, everything was taken care of.

Transfers were included in our stay. Someone met us at the airport and took us to the boat departure point.

From there, we took an approximately 30-minute boat ride to Mounu Island.

Two wonderful people picked us up, and because they also stayed on the island, we got to know them throughout our visit.

We absolutely adored them!

That was one of my favorite things about Mounu. It felt personal from the moment we arrived.

Photo of Mounu Island

Our Whale Swimming Experience: What It Was Really Like

Our stay at Mounu included accommodations, meals, and whale swimming tours.

Each evening, we'd get together and decide what time to meet for breakfast the following morning.

After breakfast, we'd board the boat and spend the morning searching for whales.

Day One: The Most Magical Experience

I genuinely don't think we could have gotten luckier.

We found two whales that seemed curious about us. They kept circling our boat, swimming away, and then coming back.

We were able to get into the water with them approximately six times!

We'd get in, swim around, and watch the whales turn and swim back toward us.

Then we'd climb back into the boat, move a little farther along, and there they were again.

At one point, we entered the water and a whale was directly below us.

Another time, I thought I was watching two whales when suddenly a THIRD whale appeared!

I can't fully explain what it feels like to be in the ocean next to an animal that enormous.

It was magical, spiritual, and honestly everything I'd dreamed about for ten years.

There were five guests staying on Mounu, so we divided into two groups and alternated who entered the water.

A guide always accompanied us.

We spent approximately an hour and a half interacting with that group of whales, with breaks between our swims.

I felt incredibly lucky that these wild animals were curious enough to keep returning.

Photo by @Wylde.Photography

Days Two and Three: A Completely Different Experience

Here's something important to understand before booking a whale swimming trip.

Just because you see whales doesn't mean you'll get to swim with them.

Over the next two days, we saw whales breaching, slapping their fins, and swimming through the ocean.

But they weren't interested in interacting with us.

They were traveling, and our guides respected that.

There was one occasion when it looked like we might have an opportunity to swim, but another boat approached while our guide was in the water.

Its guide began yelling in Tongan and appeared to claim the whale as his own.

From our perspective, the situation was unsafe. The other boat came too close while someone was in the water, and we weren't able to proceed with the encounter.

It was frustrating, but it also reinforced how much I appreciated our Mounu guides and their commitment to responsible whale encounters.

Those two days taught me that you can travel all the way to Tonga, spend hours searching for whales, and still not get the opportunity to swim with them.

And that's okay.

They're wild animals, not an attraction that performs on command.

Looking back, our first day was even more special because of that.

How Much Does Swimming With Whales in Tonga Cost?

I'm not going to lie. Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga is expensive.

But I genuinely think our stay at Mounu Island was worth every penny.

We paid approximately $4,000 total for two people for three nights, including three days of whale swimming excursions.

Here's what our package included:

Three nights accommodation, three days of whale tours, 3 meals on the island, snacks, airport and boat transfers.

We booked during a promotional period when the island was newly opened, so our price included a discount. Current rates may be different.

When I was researching whale swimming trips, I found plenty of expensive tours that covered only the boat excursion.

That's why I loved Mounu's all-inclusive setup.

Once we landed in Vava'u, we could essentially turn off our brains and enjoy the experience.

We didn't have to worry about arranging meals, daily transportation, or separate whale tours.

And the food was AMAZING.

The chef prepared delicious meals, and the staff were friendly, funny, and professional.

Because the island accommodates a relatively small number of guests, we also got to know everyone.

We became friends with a wonderful couple from Auckland and other travelers from the United States.

We spent our days swimming with whales, relaxing on the beach, eating great food, and enjoying each other's company.

It was such a special experience beyond the whales themselves.

What to Pack for Swimming With Whales in Tonga

I would highly recommend bringing your own snorkeling equipment if possible.

Mounu had equipment available to borrow during our visit, but quantities were limited.

Whale swimming essentials

Wetsuit
Snorkel and mask
Fins
Swimsuit
Underwater camera
Towel
Seasickness medication

A wetsuit is especially helpful because the water can feel cold after spending time snorkeling in the open ocean.

What to wear on the island

For our time at Mounu, I packed casual, comfortable clothing like shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, and loungewear.

You really don't need much.

I'd also bring a cute dress if you want photos in such a beautiful setting. Because why not?!

Flip-flops are useful, but honestly, you'll probably spend most of your time barefoot.

Important Things to Know Before Booking a Whale Swimming Tour

1. Practice Swimming Before You Go

This is something I wish I'd done!

I know how to swim, but I'm definitely not a strong swimmer.

I got tired pretty quickly trying to swim in the open ocean.

I was still able to participate, but I would have enjoyed the experience even more if I'd improved my swimming endurance beforehand.

You don't need to be an Olympic swimmer, but you should be comfortable swimming and snorkeling in deep, open water.

2. Test Your Snorkeling Equipment

Please learn from my mistake!

We borrowed our masks and snorkels from my in-laws, and I didn't test mine before the trip.

My snorkel kept leaking, and I was accidentally breathing in water while trying to swim alongside whales.

Not exactly ideal!

Thankfully, our guide had extra equipment, and I was able to borrow a different snorkel.

Next time, I'm absolutely testing everything before getting on the boat.

3. Prepare for Seasickness

Seasickness can really affect your experience.

We took Dramamine, which helped us avoid feeling sick, although it did make us tired after a few hours.

Two other guests became seasick on different days, and both ended up throwing up.

I felt terrible for them.

Imagine traveling all the way to Tonga and feeling too sick to enjoy the whale encounters!

If you're prone to motion sickness, talk with a pharmacist or healthcare professional about prevention options before your trip. Some medications can cause drowsiness, so it's worth knowing how they affect you.

4. Book More Than One Day

If there's one thing our experience taught me, it's that multiple whale swimming days are worth considering.

We had one absolutely incredible day and two days when we couldn't swim with whales.

If we'd booked only one excursion on one of those quieter days, our experience would have been completely different.

Having several days gives you more opportunities, although sightings and swimming encounters are never guaranteed.

5. Choose an Operator That Respects the Whales

This is incredibly important.

You are entering the whales' environment.

They should be able to decide whether they want to approach or continue on their way.

One of the things I appreciated most about Mounu was that our guides didn't try to force encounters.

They were patient and respectful, and that made our experience even more meaningful.

Was Swimming With Humpback Whales in Tonga Worth It?

YES. One hundred percent.

It was worth the money, the travel time, and the ten years I spent dreaming about it.

Swimming alongside humpback whales was one of the coolest and most special experiences of my life.

I don't think I'll ever forget looking down into the ocean and seeing one of those enormous animals swimming beneath me.

Or watching them turn around and come back toward us.

It felt surreal.

I would absolutely do it again.

And next time, I'd love to bring our kids.

We decided to leave them home for this trip, and I think that was the right choice for us at the time. We could spend long mornings on the boat and enjoy our swims without having to coordinate childcare or take turns staying with the kids.

But I would love for them to experience something like this when they're older and ready for it.

Ten years ago, I saw a photo of someone swimming with a whale and thought, I have to do that someday.

And now I have.

Some bucket-list experiences don't live up to the expectations you build in your head.

This one exceeded every single one