We have created a daily schedule which maximises everything the island and ocean have to offer. We start early and finish late, and in between, offer many different activities.
The Haa’pai group is the middle island group of Tonga and offers the perfect combination of Deep, clear water, Great accommodation, good food and private, endless beaches. The whales are in abundance and there are very few operators. This allows for a much more “ecological” and personal experience. We have chosen Ha’apai as it offers the “real Tongan island” Experience! You will be able to walk on an endless beach for an hour without seeing another person, Swim in crystal clear water, snorkel around the many reefs and experience true serenity.
We have chosen Ha’apai over the more touristy Vava’u as it delivers a completely different experience. There are as many whales in Ha’apai if not more, but with only 5 whale swim boats there is a lot less pressure on the whales and we never have to wait for another boat to finish swimming with a whale before you jump in.
Ha’apai also offers unique snorkelling and freediving experiences – from the Arch (an underwater bridge at 25m), the caverns (a series of swim-throughs in depths ranging from 5-22m), to the many sea mountains and reefs surrounding Uoleva island (The island we stay on).
Lastly, in most cases, the whales are just in fornt of the resort, so there is not much wasted travel time before we encounter the whales.
Ha’apai, Tonga
16/08/2022 – 23/08/2022
We will pick you up from the Ha’apai airport and board “Triumph” – Our whale swim boat. After a safety briefing, we will head over to the resort (around 30 minutes away). After checkin and a short orientation at the resort we will head out to look for whales! You can expect to swim with Humpbacks on the first day but it is all dependant on the whales of course.
Dinner will be served around 19:00.
The day starts at 07:15 with a led yoga practice in the large communal Fale. this is optional.
Breakfast is served at 08:15.
We will board the boat at 09:00 and head out to look for whales. Whales can regularly be seen within minutes from the resort but it may take longer.
We may run a snorkelling / Freediving session next to one of the many reefs. This depends on the desire of the group.
Lunch will be served on the boat or on an island.
Boat returns to the resort around 16:00
Dinner is served at 19:00
Sunday is a rest day in Tonga as the country is very religious. we will spend the day exploring the island, resting, snorkelling and conducting cultural activities such as basket weaving.
Dinner will be served traditional style – UMU (underground oven).
The day starts at 07:15 with a led yoga practice in the large communal Fale. this is optional.
Breakfast is served at 08:15.
We will board the boat at 09:00 and head out to look for whales. Whales can regularly be seen within minutes from the resort but it may take longer.
We may run a snorkelling / Freediving session next to one of the many reefs. This depends on the desire of the group.
Lunch will be served on the boat or on an island.
Boat returns to the resort around 16:00
Dinner is served at 19:00
Breakfast will be served at 07:30
We will board the boat at 08:30 and head out to look for whales.
Lunch will be served on the boat.
You will be dropped off at the airport at 15:15 in time for the last flight out from Ha’apai.
In Tongatapu – you will be picked up and taken to your hotel. Dinner in Town.
After breakfast, you will be collected and taken on a trip around Tongatapu. Visit some of the great attractions such as the blowholes and the hidden underground lake.
Drop-off around 14:00.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Virgin Australia operates direct flights twice a week (Monday and Wednesday. Flights land in Tonga after midnight with connection flights in the morning. We recommend spending the transit time at the Scenic hotel lobby (they charge 25top per person for transfers and use of lobby).
Fiji Airways flights land in Tongatapu or Vava’u. We recommend flying to Tongatapu as it allows more flexibility in choosing days.
Both Virgin and Air New Zealand operate flights to Tongatapu. flight operate almost daily.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
Real Tonga (www.realtonga.to) flies to Ha’apai three times a day. We recommend trying to secure the first flight heading to Ha’apai on the first day of the trip and the last flight heading back to Tongatapu on the day before last of the trip.
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