Humpback Whale Expeditions Aboard NAI'A
IN THE WATER WITH GENTLE GIANTS
Swim with the planet's most mysterious and magical marine giants among remote and pristine coral atolls and reefs. NAI'A journeys every year to the exotic Kingdom of Tonga to bring guests the close whale encounters of a lifetime. Join marine naturalists and filmmakers aboard NAI'A and among Tonga's curious and captivating tribe of humpback whales.
The 9-day trips begin in Tonga's capital "city" of Nuku'alofa and extend north into the untrammeled coral atoll wilderness of the Ha'apai Group, where the greatest number of humpback whale pods are found -- but almost no other boats, save the fishing canoes of villagers.
Sailing throughout this maze of islands and reefs, the location and activity of the whales largely determines the precise course of each new day. These are wild animals and this is no zoo! However, our experience has proven the mornings to be the best time for whale spotting and swimming encounters. Later in the afternoon NAI'A finds a safe evening anchorage near a dive site. We always plan to do at least one and sometimes more dives each day. Night dives are also a spectacular option on coral reefs.
Our 9-day itinerary to includes time for Whales, Volcanoes & Virgin Coral Reefs and our daily schedule is very flexible. Usually our days on board are so busy - spotting, observing, photographing and swimming with whales; kayaking, snorkeling or zooming out to record whale song from the skiffs; visiting a village or scuba diving virgin reefs - that our chefs become somewhat miffed about slaving over a delicious gourmet meal only to have everyone rush outside screaming "WHALE" as soon as it is served!
From the sight of the first breach at dawn, to the silhouette of
whales resting at sundown, these expeditions are a special and rare
kind of ocean adventure in a particularly picturesque part of the
world. It's no wonder the whales like it here.
