This was our fifth trip to Tonga with Humpback Swims, and we couldn’t be happier! We first met Nadia on her sperm whale expedition in Dominica, which was incredible. After that experience, we decided to try a season in Tonga with the humpbacks instead of French Polynesia, as we had been going there for almost 7 years, and we’ve never looked back. Tonga has been the clear winner when it comes to in-water interactions with humpbacks. The swims here are far more intimate, and the overall experience is exceptional.
Nadia’s company truly offers the best of everything, and that’s something we really appreciate about her approach. From the boats to the accommodations, food, and service, she ensures top quality across the board. That was the reason we originally chose to swim with the sperm whales in Dominica—everything was top-notch. My wife and I don’t want to compromise on comfort, especially when the price differences between operators are minimal. This is something we highly recommend considering when choosing a provider, Nadia's accommodations are the best out of everyone we looked at, and we looked at everyone!
We stayed at Mystic Sands, a lovely seven-room resort right on the beach in Vava'u. It’s a fantastic place, with boat pickups right from the resort and an incredible staff. The in-room dining, courtesy of Peta, might just be the best food on the island—she’s an absolute rockstar!
The boat crews were outstanding, taking their time to ensure we were with the right whales to maximize our swim time. Of our eight swim days, six were absolutely unreal! On the other two days, while the whales were less interactive, we still had great sightings. Overall, it was another amazing trip with SDL Expeditions and Nadia’s fantastic team.
We’re already signed up for 2025! Thank you, everyone, and see you in nine months!