The Humpback Whales of Tonga

[Don Silcock 14]

Last year, after a couple of failed attempts to get there, I spent three weeks in Tonga to swim with and photograph the humpback whales that migrate there every winter from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic. To say it was a seminal experience would be an understatement...

 

I have been fortunate to dive in many parts of the world, but this was my first experience with such large creatures. Tonga is not the easiest place to get to, particularly if you are traveling from the Europe or North America as you have to go through either Sydney or Auckland to get to the capital Nukuʻalofa which is the only international gateway. Then you have to get up to the north of the archipelago to Neiafu in the Vava'u group of islands which is where most of the whale watching is based because of the sheltered bays in that area.

 

But it's worth the journey because the whales are there, their numbers are slowly but steadily increasing and the encounters you can have are simply fantastic as Tonga is one of the few places in the world where a limited number of operators are licensed to take people in the water with the whales.

 

As I normally do on my big trips I have documented my experiences and images on my site - no financial angle here.... I paid for my trips myself and there is no advertising on my site. I just like to write about my experiences, simple as that.

 

There are numerous pages on the humpback whales of Tonga, covering everything from their annual migration to the different types of encounters you can have together with the logistics involved. You can access all that through this link to my site and PM me if you would like any advice based on my personal experience.

 

Don

Edited May 5, 2016 by Don Silcock

[SwiftFF5 134]

Beautiful image. Thanks.

[troporobo 237]

Wow, what an amazing resource you have put together on your site. The images are fantastic. I really like the way you captured specific behaviour. But it's not just images but explanation and education. This should be the go-to starting point for anyone thinking of going to Tonga. Very well done sir!

 

By the way, although I have been to Tonga many times for work, including Vava'u, I was never able to time a trip to go diving. But I was extremely fortunate to swim with humpbacks in Niue which is not so far away. So I second your endorsement of such encounters being a seminal experience. Thanks for bringing back those memories.

[Don Silcock 14]

Wow, what an amazing resource you have put together on your site. The images are fantastic. I really like the way you captured specific behaviour. But it's not just images but explanation and education. This should be the go-to starting point for anyone thinking of going to Tonga. Very well done sir!

 

By the way, although I have been to Tonga many times for work, including Vava'u, I was never able to time a trip to go diving. But I was extremely fortunate to swim with humpbacks in Niue which is not so far away. So I second your endorsement of such encounters being a seminal experience. Thanks for bringing back those memories.

 

Thanks a lot for the feedback and the comments - greatly appreciated!

 

Don

[eyu 27]

I always enjoy reading about your journeys and looking at you pics.

 

thanks,

[Don Silcock 14]

I always enjoy reading about your journeys and looking at you pics.

 

thanks,

 

Thanks very much Eyu!!

[eyu 27]

 

Thanks very much Eyu!!

 

You have been a bad influence, now I travel to the Indo-Pacific more.

Thanks for being influential,

Elmer

Edited May 7, 2016 by eyu

[rhiannon 0]

Don is it just freediving allowed? Not scuba?