Tonga 2024 - Group F5- 7 Nights/ 5 Swim Days - Flying Annie

      Vava'u Tonga

      SD
      Scuba Diver Life Expeditions LLC
      • Email address verified
      14 reviews
      Aug 17 - 24, 2024
      Group size: 1 - 6
      Tonga 2024 - Group F5- 7 Nights/ 5 Swim Days - Flying Annie
      Vava'u Tonga

      Scuba Diver Life Expeditions LLC
      • Email address verified
      14 reviews

      Aug 17 - 24, 2024
      Group size: 1 - 6

      About this trip

      This tour runs Saturday to Saturday. Offering five swim days for guests, which occur Monday through Friday. Sundays in Tonga are rest days—all businesses, including airports—are closed, and whale swims are not allowed. Guests take the Sunday after arrival to rest and get ready for their swim week.


      Each boat will take six clients. Tonga law allows four people in the water at a time with a certified whale swim guide. 


      Four guests will swim; two will stay out and guests will rotate equally throughout the day. Having fewer people on the boat offers guests almost 33% more swim time than other boats that take 8-12 people.

      Where You Stay

      This trip runs out of Flying Annie Bed & Breakfast.

      Flying Annie is a cute bed and breakfast located near town. Within five minutes of walking, you will find yourself at restaurants and at the water’s edge. Flying Annie is, in our opinion, is the most comfortable accommodation in town.

      We book all 10 rooms at Flying Annie for our guests.

      Guests can choose from twin share or single occupancy (based on availability), with the price based on twin sharing. If you would like your own room there is a single supplement cost of $130 USD per night, space permitting.

      What’s included

      • Return Transfer
        From VAV to Flying Annie
      • 7 Nights Accomodation
        Based on Double Occupancy
      • 5 Whale Swim Days
        7 Hours of searching and swimming with whales
      • Hot Breakfast
      • Lunch
        Provided on whale swim days

      What’s not included

      • Gear Rental
      • Travel Insurance
      • Flights
      • Gratuity
      • Dinners
      • Lunches
        Lunch is only provided on Whale Swim Days

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      $3,750
      Deposit: $1,500

      Available options

      Itinerary

      August 17, 2024
      Arrival Day - Day 1

      Guests are advised to arrive at VAV (Vava'u, Tonga) through NAN (Nadi, Fiji) on Fiji Airlines. For guaranteed pricing and seat availability, we recommend booking from our designated group block. Further details on group blocks can be found in the prep guide, which is included in the booking confirmation email. If you're departing from LAX, plan to set off 2 days prior to your intended arrival date due to the crossing of the International dateline. 

      Your Organizer


      SD
      Scuba Diver Life Expeditions LLC
      14 reviews
      Scuba Diver Life Expeditions is run by award winning underwater photographer Nadia Aly. Nadia Aly is a wildlife photographer who specializes in underwater photography. She holds a Masters in Digital Media from the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver BC and has had her work featured on National Geographic, Sony World Photo, Underwater Photographer of the Year and Nature’s Best Photography.

      Reviews

      I recently had the most extraordinary experience of my life in Dominica, where I embarked on an awe-inspiring journey to swim with sperm whales. From the very beginning, the trip was seamless, thanks to the exceptional communication and coordination by Nadia. Nadia's attention to detail and prompt responses ensured that every aspect of my pre-travel arrangements was taken care of with precision. Her expertise and dedication set the stage for what would turn out to be an unforgettable adventure. Upon arriving in Dominica, I was taken to the stunning Fort Young Hotel, a true gem nestled right on the water's edge. The location was not only breathtaking but also convenient, allowing me to wake up to the soothing sounds of the ocean every morning. The hotel's impeccable service and comfortable accommodations made my stay all the more enjoyable. I can confidently say that Fort Young Hotel exceeded my expectations, providing the perfect base for my whale-watching escapade. I loved working out at the Gym that looks right over the ocean, amazing! Now, let me express my utmost admiration for Captain Curt, the mastermind behind our incredible whale-swimming expeditions. Captain Curt's experience and skill were evident from the moment we set sail. His passion for the sperm whales and dedication to providing a safe yet thrilling experience made him stand out as the best captain I've ever had the pleasure of whale swimming with! But the magic didn't end there. Our guide, Greg, was a true maestro when it came to locating sperm whales in the water. Thanks to his and Curts expertise, we were able to encounter sperm whales almost every day, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In conclusion, my time in Dominica was nothing short of magical, and I owe it to the incredible team that made it all possible. Nadia's pre-travel communication, the enchanting Fort Young Hotel, Captain Curt's exceptional skills, and Greg's insightful guidance came together to create an adventure that exceeded my wildest dreams. If swimming with sperm whales is on your bucket list, look no further than Dominica and the tours with SDL Expeditoins– an experience that will leave you in awe and gratitude for the beauty of our planet's marine life.
      By Natalie J for Swim with Sperm Whales -2024 - Fort Young on Mar 11, 2024
      My week with the Sperm whales in Dominica far exceeded my expectations. Getting to experience being in the water with them many, many times was truly magical. Their presence is so peaceful. Captain Curt and Craig did such a fabulous time giving us the best experiences and also respecting the whales and how much we interacted with them which I so appreciated. I can not recommend this trip enough. I look forward to. going back for another time with them. Thank you!
      By Mary C for Swim with Sperm Whales -2024 - Fort Young on Feb 13, 2024
      Swimming with sperm whales was a life-altering experience. Their immense size and grace were breathtaking, and they tolerated us with a gentle good humor. The highlights were swimming for several hours alongside of group of at least eleven whales (including a large male) as they interacted intensely with one another, and serving as babysitters for a baby whale whose mom left the baby at the surface as she dove to feed. What an incredible 10 days! I am deeply appreciative to Nadia for teaching me so much about underwater photography and whale behavior, and for her persistance in getting the best out of our hotel accommodations. Nadia, your good humor and endless energy are priceless! I'm also grateful to Captain Kurt for consistently placing us in ideal positions for photographing and interacting with the whales, and for always putting the safety of the whales first, ensuring that we never stressed them or significantly altered their behavior. And heartfelt thanks to Greg for ensuring our safety, and for lugging my huge camera housing out of the water about a million times. This was an absolutely extraordinary trip! Thank you all!!
      By Susan M for Swim with Sperm Whales - December 2023 on Jan 05, 2024
      The whale guide, staff at the accommodation and our on-site tour guide were all amazing people. They worked hard to ensure our stay and experience was enjoyable. If you are vegan/vegetarians food is limited and bland. You receive the same breakfast everyday. Lunch was different everyday but very bland. The main dishes served at restaurants are seafood. It would have been nice if we could cook at the accommodation so that we could enjoy some healthy vegetarian dishes.
      By Katie C for Tonga 2023 - Group F14- 7 Nights/ 5 Swim Days -Flying Annie on Nov 09, 2023
      Don't hesitate for a minute—book a trip with Humpback Swims to see the whales of Vava'u, Tonga for yourself! SDLE runs a top-notch operation out of Vava'u, with comfortable, safe boats, knowledgeable guides, capable captains, and great lunches on the boat. On an 11-night/8-day swim tour, we got in the water with whales all but one of the days. Our last day on the boat was one of my most spectacular in-water days ever, and I've been a scuba diver for over 20 years. We were in the water for almost two hours with a mama, calf, and escort—incredible! Honestly, the trip couldn't have been better. Thank you, for an experience I'll remember for a lifetime!
      By Rebecca S for Tonga 2023 - Group G9- 11 Nights/ 8 Swim Days -Flying Annie on Nov 06, 2023
      Show More Reviews