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Whale Watching from July to October
is a popular pastime for tourists as well as locals. Humpback
whales migrate to the protected waters of the Vava'u Group to
give birth to their calves and to mate. View the awe-inspiring
humpback whales can also be viewed from Tongatapu, Eua, Ha'apai
or Niuatoputapu. In many areas you can snorkel and/or dive with
the whales. Most of the Game Fishing and Diving Boats company's
do whale watching trips. Watching the whales and dolphins in
the wild is an experience of a lifetime. Some whales are so
tame that they like to have their noses scratched and they often
poke their heads out of the water to watch the whale watchers
watching them. Delight in watching the mama whales frolicking
with their new born calves.Whales sometimes launch themselves
into the air like torpedo's. They jump right out of the water
and then fall back in with a tremendous splash. This strange
form of behaviour is known as "breaching". In order
to leave the water completely, the whale must reach an exit
speed of more than 35kph (22mph). Baby whales often begin to
learn this spectacular "trick" when they are only
a few weeks old. When one whale breaches, its neighbours cannot
resist joining in. Sometimes, they never seem to want to stop.
One humpback whale was seen breaching 130 times in 75 minutes.
A breaching humpback whale is a thrilling sight. This behavior
is thought to be a form of communication or play activity in
young males. It is also thought that breaching of the male whale
occurs to show off their size. The sound of a 100-tonne whale
hitting the water at the end of a breach is unforgettable. The
whale usually falls into the sea on its back, or on one side,
with a tremendous splash that can be heard kilometers away.
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The sea is far from
silent. It is full of the sounds of animals talking to one another
underwater. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are real gossips
and make a range of different squeaks, squawks, whistles, clicks,
rattles and froans. Talking helps to keep them together when
they are swimming as a group. It also means they can work together
during the excitement of a hunt. But it can be much more specific
than that - warning of danger, shouting for help, calling for
a mate, threatening an enemy, suggesting a game or even discussing
lunch.Their sounds may have "personal signatures"
helping them to identify one another by their calls, in the
same way that we can recognize different people by their voices.
Many species have also found ingenious ways of making spectacular
sounds with their tails, flippers, jaws and other parts of their
bodies and these have their own special meanings.
Male humpback whales are the only animals which can boast a
top-selling record in the pop charts. When their songs were
first heard in the 1970's many people were captivated by the
melodious moans, groans, roars, snores, squeaks and whistles
which form some of the longest and most complex songs in the
animal kingdom. They sing throughout the day and night, with
only brief one-minute pauses for breath. Many of the whale watching
tours listed below have devices where you may listen to the
sounds of the whales. Your whale watching tour will be an unforgettable
experience on any of the islands. |
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Sailing Safaris -(Available July to October)
Operate three boats; two speedboats for custom charters (photography/filming
a speciality) and a customised whale watching vessel 'WhaleSong'
which provides easy access, on-board toilet facilities, observation
tower and a large comfortable shaded viewing area. All boats
are equipped with a hydro phone to listen to the whales sing
underwater. Their skippers and crew have more than 30 years
of experience of Vava'u's waters and whales, a legendary 6th
sense for whales and can share a lifetime of stories of Tonga's
legends and customs. Trips depart daily from The Mermaid and
pick up from the Paradise Hotel, the Tongan Beach Resort and
various anchorages by arrangement. Trips leave at 10am, returning
at 5pm. Prices include the use of snorkel gear.
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| Adult US $95.00:
Child (2-11) US $47.50 |
Melinda Sailing Adventures -(Available July
to October) 
Melinda Sailing adventures operate
whale watching excursions aboard the beautiful SV Melinda, a
44 ft sailing ketch. Learn about sailing during your whale watching
expedition. With an explosion of energy a whale raises her 45
tonnes out of the water next to the boat, then pauses for a
pirouette before crashing back into the sea. You are left with
your mouth hanging open in awe at the spectacle. Melinda Sailing
Adventures offer special photography expeditions during August
and September 2006 hosted by a renowned marine wildlife photojournalist.
An inflatable dinghy is used to obtain closer views of the whales.
Also in season you are able to swim with the whales, an experience
of a lifetime.
It is recommended that you spend at least 3-7 days on the MS
Melinda in order to maximize your whale watching experience.
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| Adult US $120.00:
Child (2-11) US $60.00 |
Hakula
Lodge's Whales in the Wild -(Available July-October)
Hakula Lodge operate the Maris King, a whale watching vessel.
She is a fast catamaran and cruises at around 20 knots. Maris
King is ideal for whale watching as she is easy to maneuver,
she has an all round view for passengers, is under cover and
she has easy access into and out of the water. Powered by twin
150 hp Yamaha outboards with GPS, VHF radio, full offshore safety
equipment. Limited to 10 passengers & 2 crew. Toilet, Ice
box, Transom door & Swim Ladder. Prices include light lunch.
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| Adult US $85.00:
Child (2-11) US $45 |
 Kiwi
Magic Charters -(Available July-October)
View
the whales in Vava'u in a 34ft custom built launch, providing
plenty of shelter and toilet. Tea and coffee making facilities
on board. Kiwi Magic has pick ups from the Paradise Hotel jetty
and the Tongan Beach Resort. The skipper has more than 10 years
experience with humpback whales and will ensure you have an
enjoyable whale watch tour. You will also site schools of dolphins
on your adventure. A breaching humpback whale is a thrilling
sight. Sometimes, they never seem to want to stop. One humpback
whale was seen breaching 130 times in 75 minutes. Vava'u is
an excellent choice for your whale watching experience. |
| Adult US $95.00:
Child (2-11) US $47.50 |
| Whale
Watching -(Available July-October)
Daily except Sunday: Depart 10am - Return
1pm
The Humpback whales can be viewed by motorboat off the shores
of Eua. Watching the whales and dolphins in the wild is an
experience of a lifetime. Some whales are so tame that they
like to have their noses scratched and they often poke their
heads out of the water to watch the whale watchers watching
them. Delight in watching the mama whales frolicking with
their new born calves. A breaching humpback whale is a thrilling
sight. This exciting behavior, which is sometimes repeated
many times may be a form of communication or a play activity
in young males. It is also thought that breaching of the male
whale occurs to show off their size. Your whale watching tour
will be an unforgettable experience. |
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| Adult US $50.00:
Child (2-11) US $25.00 |
Whale Watching by motor boat or
from the Hideaway Resort |
| Whale
Watching -Happy Ha'apai Divers (Available July-October)
Daily except Sunday: Depart 10am - Return
1pm
Happy Ha'apai Divers operate whale watching
excursions during the season.You can also dive and or snorkel
with the whales. Some whales are so tame that they like to
have their noses scratched and they often poke their heads
out of the water to watch the whale watchers watching them.
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| Adult US$85.00:
Child (2-11) US $45.00 |
Whale Watching from Sandy Beach
Resort, Ha'apai |
| Royal
Sunset Whale Tours (Available July-October)
Daily except Sunday: Depart 10am - Return
1pm.
The Humpback whales can be viewed by motorboat off the shores
of Atata Island. Watching the whales in the wild is an experience
of a lifetime. Transfers are included from the Nuku'alofa
Harbour which is easily accessible from all Nuku'alofa Hotels. |
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| Adult US$95.00:
Child (2-11) US$50.00 |
Whale Watching from Royal Sunset
Resort, Atata Island |
| Precision
Charters (Available July-October)
Daily except Sunday: Depart 10am - Return
1pm.
Precision Charters operates whale watching excursions during
the season with departures from all major hotels in Nuku'alofa.The
sound of a 100-tonne whale hitting the water at the end of
a breach is unforgettable. The whale usually falls into the
sea on its back, or on one side, with a tremendous splash
that can be heard kilometers away. Your excursion will be
unforgettable. |
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| Adult US $95.00:
Child (2-11) US $45.00 |
Whale Watching from Tongatapu
Island |
Whale
Watching -Palm Tree Resort (Available July-October)
Daily except Sunday: Time depends on the
tide
The Palm Tree Resort operates whale
watching excursions during the season. Watching the whales
and dolphins in the wild is an experience of a lifetime. Whales
sometimes launch themselves into the air like torpedo's. They
jump right out of the water and then fall back in with a tremendous
splash. This strange form of behaviour is known as "breaching".
In order to leave the water completely, the whale must reach
an exit speed of more than 35kph (22mph). Baby whales often
begin to learn this spectacular "trick" when they
are only a few weeks old. When one whale breaches, its neighbours
cannot resist joining in.
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| Adult US $75.00
(for 1 or 2 adults): Child (2-11) US $40.00 |
Whale Watching by motor boat from
Niuatoputapu Island |
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