E X P E D I T I O N S TONGA 2017 SWIM UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH HUMPBACK WHALES! THIS SNORKELING TRIP WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST IN-WATER EXPERIENCES OF YOUR LIFE. WHO ARE WE? HumpBackSwims.com is run through Scuba Diver Life Expeditions. After traveling the world for five years to create stories, videos and dazzling photo galleries for her website, ScubaDiverLife.com, CEO Nadia Aly wanted to share the very best of her scuba diving and ocean adventures around the world with other divers and snorkelers. Her all-time favorite expedition is the one profiled here. This website is an extension of Scuba Diver Life Expeditions, dedicated to educating potential and current clients about the humpback whale experience. We focus on small groups; we hire experienced skippers and guides; and we offer comfortable accommodations during your trip. There are lots of options when it comes to swimming with humpbacks in Tonga, but not all of them are great options. You ve likely traveled a long way to swim with these beautiful creatures, and we feel that we ve created the island s best experience for both the snorkelers and the whales. Come join us and meet the humpback whales of Tonga for yourself.
YOU MUST WATCH OUR VIDEO! TRIP DETAILS We keep our groups small, with only 6 guests per trip this allows for maximum time with the whales. Each trip features 8 days in the water with the whales, weather-permitting. On in-water days, we try to be on our private boat by 7 a.m. so that we can be one of the first boats out looking for the whales. Sometimes we spot them right away; some days it takes a little time. Every day is different, and every encounter is different. Our trips offer in-water encounters with humpback whales, including mothers and calves. Tongan law allows 4 swimmers in the water at one time, along with an accredited whale guide. Thusly, our guests are split into two groups of three, who will enter the water along with the guide, and Nadia Aly, the group leader. These small groups allow for an amazing, intimate encounter with these gentle giants. WHERE IS VAVA U, TONGA? VIEW ON MAP ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE AIRPORTS Vava u (VAV) (Domestic)
WHERE DO WE STAY? We stay at Vava u Villas, which is owned and operated by Vanessa and Ian Jones. They ve put a lot of heart into their welcoming B&B, and their dedication shows. The rooms are simple but comfortable, and there s an onsite resaurant where you can get a fantastic breakfast, lunch or dinner. Wi-Fi is available for a fee; there is hot water; and the beds are very comfortable. A taxi into town will cost roughly $4 USD, easy to split among your new friends. You can check them out here on Trip Advisor.
TRIP LEADER NADIA ALY CEO, WHALE AND PHOTO GUIDE Nadia is the CEO of ScubaDiverLife.com. She travels around the world, writing stories and shooting video and still images for scuba divers and ocean enthusiasts. She leads over 10 expeditions a year, showcasing some of her best experiences with those who are keen. Nadia is also an accomplished underwater photographer; see her work at NadiaAly.com
HOW DO YOU GET TO VAVA U, TONGA? Getting to Vava u has become much easier in 2016, with Fiji Air announcing direct service to Vava u via Nadi, Fiji. Depending on where you re coming from there are now three ways to get to Vava u: FIJI AIR VIA NADI, FIJI Vava u, Tonga flight schedule, effective April 2, 2016: Arrival: FJ 275 From Nadi to Vava u, leaving 8:00am, arriving 11:10am: Saturday and Wednesday Departure: FJ 274 From Vava u to Nadi, leaving 4:00pm, arriving 5:20pm: Saturday and Wednesday *Schedules are subject to change. The options below fly you into Fua amotu International Airport (TBU) in Nuku alofa, Tonga. From TBU you can get a domestic flight to Vava u on Real Tonga http://realtonga.to yes that is their website! If you need help setting up an overnight stay near TBU, let us know, we can help advise you. VIRGIN AIR VIA SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Via Nuku alofa to Vava u, Virgin Australia (Virgin Blue) flies to Tonga from Sydney. From Sydney to Tonga (Monday & Wednesday): VA143 21:45 05:10 (Arrive next day) From Tonga to Sydney (Tuesday): VA182 16:45 19:30 VA178 06:00 14:30 VA178 & connecting flight VA8005 06:00 17:30 From Tonga to Sydney (Thursday): VA182 3:45pm 6:30pm VA178 06:00 14:30 VA178 & connecting VA8005 06:00 17:30 Check www.virginaustralia.com for exact times and prices AIR NEW ZEALAND VIA AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND New Zealand to Tonga Air New Zealand offers flights on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Their return flights to Auckland depart every day except Thursday & Sunday. Check www.airnewzealand.com.au for exact times and prices.
WHAT S INCLUDED? Accommodation Continental breakfast Boat, skipper, accredited whale guide, lunches on water days Return transport from Vava u Airport to Vava u Villas Photo & video advice from Nadia Aly WHAT DATES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? July and August feature whales mating and heat runs, along with mother and newer calves. September and October feature more mothers and interactive calves. Smiles & fun! WHAT S NOT INCLUDED? Hot breakfast Lunches on break or rest days All dinners Flights Trip insurance DAN insurance Drinks WHEN, WHERE & WHY When: Please See Trip Dates Where: Vava u, Tonga Why: Swim Up Close With Humpback Whales
PRICE: 8 WATER DAYS FROM $4000 USD PP 6 PEOPLE MAX PHOTO BOAT: 8 WATER DAYS FROM $6000 USD PP 4 PEOPLE MAX GROUP 1: JULY 15 - JULY 26, 2017 July 15, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. July 16, 2017 - Day off: Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. This is why you arrive on the 15th. July 17, 20167 - Water Day 1. We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. July 18, 2017 - Water Day 2 July 19, 2017- Water Day 3 July 20, 2017- Water Day 4 July 21, 2017 - Water Day 5 July 22, 2017- Water Day 6 GROUP 2: AUGUST 2-12, 2017 August 2, 2017- Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. August 3, 2017 - Water Day 1. We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am August 4, 2017 -Water Day 2 August 5, 2017 - Water Day 3 August 6, 2017 - Day off: Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. August 7, 2017 - Water Day 4 August 8, 2017 - Water Day 5 August 9, 2017 - Water Day 6 August 10, 2017 - Water Day 7 August 11, 2017 - Water Day 8 August 12, 2017 -Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year! July 23, 2017 - Day off: Sunday offers another chance to relax at a resort. July 24, 2017 - Water Day 7 July 25, 2017 - Water Day 8
GROUP 3: AUGUST 12-23, 2017 ** PHOTOGRAPHERS BOAT - 4 PEOPLE MAX* August 12, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. August 13, 2017- Day off: Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. This is why you arrive on the 1st, ready to go on September 9th. August 14, 2017 - Water Day 1 - We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. August 15, 2017 - Water Day 2 August 16, 2017 - Water Day 3 August 17, 2017 - Water Day 4 August 18 2017 - Water Day 5 August 19, 2017- Water Day 6 August 20, 2017 -Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. August 21, 2017 - Water Day 7 August 22, 2017 - Water Day 8 GROUP 4: AUGUST 23- SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ** PHOTOGRAPHERS BOAT - 4 PEOPLE MAX* August 23, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. August 24, 2017 - Water Day 1 - We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. August 25, 2017 - Water Day 2 August 26, 2017 - Water Day 3 August 27, 2017 - Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. August 28, 2017 - Water Day 4 August 29, 2017 - Water Day 5 August 30, 2017 - Water Day 6 August 31, 2017 - Water Day 7 September 1, 2017 - Water Day 8 September 2, 2017 - Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year! August 23, 2017 -Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year!
GROUP 5 : SEPTEMBER 9-20, 2017 September 9, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. September 10, 2017- Day off: Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. This is why you arrive on the 1st, ready to go on September 9th. September 11, 2017 - Water Day 1 - We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. September 12, 2017 - Water Day 2 September 13, 2017 - Water Day 3 September 14, 2017 - Water Day 4 September 15, 2017 - Water Day 5 September 16, 2017- Water Day 6 September 17, 2017 -Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. September 18, 2017 - Water Day 7 September 19, 2017 - Water Day 8 GROUP 6: SEPTEMBER 20-30, 2017 September 20, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. September 21, 2017 - Water Day 1 - We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. September 22, 2017 - Water Day 2 September 23, 2017 - Water Day 3 September 24, 2017 - Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. September 25, 2016 - Water Day 4 September 26 2016 - Water Day 5 September 27, 2016 - Water Day 6 September 28, 2016 - Water Day 7 September 29, 2016 - Water Day 8 September 30 2016 - Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year! September 20, 2017 -Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year!
GROUP 7: SEPTEMBER 30 - OCOTBER 11, 2017 September 30, 2017 - Arrival Date: Arrive into Vava u and relax for the day! Get your cameras set up and get a bite to eat. October 1, 2017 - Day off: Sundays in Tonga are a day off for nearly everyone as it is illegal for businesses to operate, even the airports. This is why you arrive on the 1st, ready to go on October 3! October 2, 2017 - Water Day 1: We work as a group to be the first ones on the water and last ones out, if the group agrees. Typically we like to leave the dock at 7 am. October 3, 2017 - Water Day 2 October 4, 2017 - Water Day 3 October 5, 2017 - Water Day 4 October 6, 2017 - Water Day 5 October 7, 2017 - Water Day 6 October 8, 2017 - Day off: Sunday offers another chance to relax at a resort. October 9, 2017 - Water Day 7 October 10, 2017 - Water Day 8 October 11, 2017 - Departure day. Hope you had a great time and see you next year! BOOK NOW +1 (434) 623-2620 NADIA@SDLEXPEDITIONS.COM SDLEXPEDITIONS.COM
WHAT GEAR SHOULD I BRING? Well, that s up to you! Fins, mask, wetsuit and snorkel are included in the tour, but let s be honest with one another it s usually better to bring your own. We spend so much time on the water, nobody wants to deal with fins that sort of fit, a mask that fogs all the time, or a wetsuit that doesn t keep you warm. So we strongly advise bringing your own gear. Wetsuit or swim suit (We wear a 3mm full wetsuit in the water) Mask Snorkel Fins Boat jacket GROUP SIZE The whale-swimming laws in Tonga allow for four guests in the water, plus the accredited guide, which equals five people in the water at a time, 4 of them being guests. Group size is key to having a great time with the whales in Tonga. Day boats take anywhere from 8 to 12 people out on a boat our boats have a maximum of 6 guests, and you ll be split into two groups of three, along with an accredited guide and Nadia Aly (group leader). In 2017 we are introducing photo boats, swimmers have the opportunity to join in on every whale encounter. They are a bit more expensive but worth it, if you want to make sure you are in the water with the whales as much as possible. This is ideal for photographers, videographers, whale enthusiast. Each group takes turns in the water; the group on the boat takes a little time to relax or photograph surface activity, which can be just as thrilling! Camera! Let s not forget about cameras to capture this amazing experience to share with your friends and family! EXPERIENCE This is not a scuba-diving trip, so you don t need a diving certification. You should be comfortable in the water and know how to swim, and feel comfortable with a snorkel. There is no need for freediving experience as most of the whale encounters happen at the surface. IT S A CRAFT Swimming with the whales is a craft. Knowledge and respect for these animals go hand-in-hand to create a good encounter. Being able to read the whales, how comfortable they are and giving them space when they need it we implement many tactics borne of experience to help ensure long, safe and fun encounters for our guests and the whales. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us on our contact page. PHOTO & VIDEO WORKSHOPS Nadia Aly will be on all tours and be able to advise clients on photo and video techniques, as well as post-production processes. You can see her work at NadiaAly.com.
All our guides and skippers are local to Vava u and are great watermen, with years of on- and in-water experience in local waters. They re a great team with high respect and regard within the community & industry. Bottom line... they know what they re doing, and they are good at it! ETIQUETTE There is a lot of respect for the whales and for these in-water encounters with them in Tonga. Another boat will never come and jump in on your whale encounter. If a boat is with a whale, it s their whale until they sign off to another boat, if there is one in the area. These encounters are quite initmate and special. We work as a group when in the water, and we stay close to one another, making sure we don t spook the whales or cause them any stress. You will see on your tour that every encounter is different, and some whales will be much more interactive than others. WEATHER AND TEMPERATURES The weather can be flat calm or you can have rough seas and everything in between it s the ocean after all. We go out to sea as long as our captain says it s safe. You should expect to be out on the boat all day; we don t come back to dock unless there is an emergency on board. The water temp is roughly 77 F (25 C), and you will want to bring a boat jacket for wind protection. The whales visit Tonga outside of cyclone season, so there is no concern regarding cyclones. AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Average Water Temperature: 25-27 C (77-81 F) Average Land Temperature: 20-28 C (68-80 F) CONTACT & BOOKINGS +1 (434) 623-2620 (USA) NADIA@SDLEXPEDITIONS.COM SDLEXPEDITIONS.COM *Please Note: Due to changing weather conditions, some activities might change or need to be substituted.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Prices are subject to change in the event of price increases, airfares, exchange rate fluctuations & availability. The exact price can only be confirmed at the time of final invoicing and final payment due date. The tour package has been quoted on a sharing basis and an additional single supplement fee will be charged for singles. CANCELLATION POLICY: 60 Days or more 20% of the trip cost + Deposit Less than 90 Days = 100% Cancellation Fee