TONGA
27 September - 9 October 2019
- Magical experience swimming with the calf
- Relaxing place to stay in Mystic Sands
- Swam with False Killer Whales
- Swam and free dive in Swallow Cave
- Yummy authentic Chinese food in Pandan Restaurant
- Relaxing place to stay in Mystic Sands
- Swam with False Killer Whales
- Swam and free dive in Swallow Cave
- Yummy authentic Chinese food in Pandan Restaurant
|
Day 1
We flew FijiAir from Nadi International Airport (Fiji) to Vava’u (SGD900 each for return fare), which took about 3hr 30 mins arriving at around 4pm. Our accommodation for the first night was Jie Heng, which is only 15 mins away from the airport. We paid USD71 per night, which includes free airport transfer and breakfast. A clean basic room and is just a short walk to the town and the wharf. Had dinner at Panda Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant by the port. We had omelette eggs, vegetables and rice for dinner and cost about USD25. After dinner, we just relaxed in our room. |
|
Day 2
Checked out and was transferred to our hotel near the marina, Mystic Sands for the next 11 nights. We booked a 8 swim day trip with humpbackswims.com for USD5200 per person, which includes 11 night accommodation in Mystic Sands, and 8-day swim with humpback whales. Rest and relax after checking into Mystic Sands. In the evening, we had a welcome dinner outside our room. Cost USDD25 each. |
|
Day 3
Sunday is a rest day in Tonga, hence we just rest and relax in the resort after having lunch at Hepi pizza with our other swim mates that joined Nadia’s Swim with Humpbacks. Total cost per person was about 25 Tonga currency each for the Pizza and about 22 Tonga currency for the drinks. Jean cooked dinner in our apartment |
|
Day 4
Day 1 swim with humpback; no luck in the water. Although we saw a few whales, they are not settled and hence was difficult to catch a glimpse when we jumped into the water. We only swam twice inside the water but did not see anything. Breakfast normally starts at 6am and the boat will pick us up around 7-715am. Back to resort around 230pm without any luck. |
|
Day 5
Day 2 swim with humpbacks. After breakfast, the boat picked us up at around 715am with a different guide name Joseph. He is a much better guide as compared to Jay (our first guide). Highly recommend him if using Moa Annie or Moa Molly boat. Much better luck today. Shortly we were out in the sea, we saw whales and managed to get good view of them in the water. Also spotted quite a good number of Pilot whales. |
|
Day 6
Day 3 swim with humpbacks. Another great day today as we spotted a calf with the Mother and an escort who are settled. Hence, we spend almost 2 hours with these three whales. Almost 2/3 of the time, we were the only boat there and hence we had really had a wonderful time with the 4-7 days calf. After lunch, we headed to swallow cave for a swim before heading back to the resort. |
|
Day 7
Day 4 swim with humpbacks. Not much luck today as most of the whales we spotted were not settled and hence we only have a glimpse of them in the water. However, we saw three False Killer Whales on the way back and had some great photos of them. |
|
Day 8
Day 5 swim with humpbacks. Saw a playful whale that breaches many times near a boat. Also saw a heat run where 6-7 males going after a female on the surface. But too fast for us when we jumped into the water. Spend more time again in Swallow Cave before heading back to resort |
|
Day 9
Day 6 swim with Humpbacks. Another uneventful day with a few short swims as most of the whales we encountered are moving. So we had to dash for it for a short encounter. Back to resort around 2pm and joined the welcome dinner for the new comers. Cost USD25 each for the home cooked dinner |
|
Day 10
Rest Day again on Sunday. |
|
Day 11
Day 7 swim with Humpbacks. Another choppy day and the boat went all the way out to look for whales (28 miles from our resort). Managed to see two adult whales swimming near our boat and had quite a good experience. Also saw one of them breached in front of our boat. Unfortunately, one of our swim mates fell and hit his head and we had to return to the mainland for him to get treatment. After that, we headed out to the sea to look for whales but without luck. |
|
Day 12
Day 8 swim with Humpbacks. It was an uneventful day for most part of the day. We were out in the sea for 4-5 hours looking for whales and only saw few that were swimming fast. Hence we did not jump into the water. Fortunately, we managed to see a calf with a relaxed mom and had two great swim before heading back to our resort. |
TRIP PHOTOS - TONGA