Whale Watching in Tonga
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Tonga Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
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Whale Watching in Tonga
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Humpback whales migrate to the protected waters of the Vava'u Group between June and October to give birth to their calves and to mate. The height of the season is from July to September. Whale watching tours by boat are available during this time and any charter must follow strict guidelines set out by the Ministry of Fisheries and include a 100m exclusion zone and no direct or rear approach. Scuba Diving is banned around whales, although it is possible to swim or snorkel within 30 metres and listen to the exquisite songs of the humpback whales which reverberate in the water for miles. In some cases, Humpback whales approach boats out of curiosity, especially younger calves.
For those who dislike this sort of commercial approach to whale watching, the whales are best spotted from land from the raised limestone cliffs from Toafa Lookout on west Vava'u. Humpback whales can also be spotted throughout the Ha'apai Group during their migration and also from the cliffs of north western 'Eua Island (south of Tongatapu) on their way up to and returning from the Vava'u Group.
Other species of whales can be seen around the protected Vava'u waters all year round as well as lots of spinner dolphins. All whales and Dolphins are protected under Tongan Law.
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