Trip Overview
Come and experience the joy of swimming with the curious and playful humpback whales! Once you arrive in Tonga, we will arrange a transfer to take you directly to a hotel near the airport for some rest. The next day, you’ll fly over to Ha’apai, where the magic truly begins.
You will spend 7 nights at a beautiful, secluded eco-resort located on the island of U’oleva, considered one of the most stunning islands in the Tongan group. It sits along the eastern barrier reef of Ha’apai and takes about 3 hours to walk around the entire island.
During your stay, you will have 5 days out on the boat swimming with majestic humpback whales—a memory that will last a lifetime. Additionally, you will have access to kayaks, paddle boards, and a fantastic reef right in front of the resort for snorkeling. If you prefer a more relaxing day, you can enjoy reading a book on the beach.
This eco-resort is also renowned for kite surfing, making it an ideal spot for both beginners and experienced kite surfers. The tranquil setting of the Eco Retreat provides you with a deep connection to the island.
Date
Wed 19-27 August 2026 (Private Group Booking)
Duration
9 days/8 nights
Package Cost
$5800 pp. twin share
Exclusive resort and whale swims for max. 8 pax
5 fales based on twin share (either with a king bed or twin bed) with ensuite
Note: All costs for this trip are in Australian Dollars (AUD)
Inclusions
- Return internal island flights
- 7 nights beachfront accommodation Ha’apai
- 5 days out on the boat swimming with whales
- Kayaking and Paddleboarding
- Whale swim guide
- All main meals
- Sustainable Island Life Initiative walk
- Whale Presentation by a Marine Biologist
- WiFi
- All transfers
- Escorted tour
Exclusions
- Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan.
- Beverages/Alcohol
- International flights
- Snorkel gear: mask, snorkel, and fins
- Wetsuit/s
- Accommodation on the mainland (Tongatapu)
Requirements for Participation
Strong swimming skills, you must be able to swim at least 200 metres unaided in open water. Guests must be physically able to get up a small boat ladder on their own.
What to expect
U’oleva is a remote island. There are no shops and no roads; we arrive and depart by boat. All food is grown or bought, and it mostly comes from Nuku’alofa via the ferry once a week.
The fales are some of the most comfortable and beautiful in Tonga. If you are expecting to get away from the hustle and bustle of your busy life and relax in a tranquil environment that boasts absolutely beautiful beaches and, of course, the experience of swimming with humpback whales, then this is definitely the place for you.
This eco-resort only has limited bungalows, so our group will have it to ourselves for the whole week.
Accommodation
The accommodation on this beautiful remote island has many natural timbers to create a stunning South Pacific hideaway. You will be captivated by the romantic soft diffused lighting, exquisite ensuite bathrooms with hot solar showers and composting toilets, and top-quality linen and bedding, including memory foam mattresses. Sit and watch the aqua-blue water and whales passing on your own private verandah.
For your comfort, each fale has its own dedicated solar power system (12 v). You will have the comforts you require while still remaining way off the beaten track. The fales are all beachfront and are on raised stilts to give you stunning elevated views. They are constructed entirely of timber, including the beautiful exposed cedar roofs. You won’t find air-conditioned fales on the island of Ha’apai, but your accommodation will always remain comfortable no matter what the temperature is.
How to secure your booking
A $800 AUD deposit for accommodation and whale swims is required initially. We will contact you via email for your payment and provide individual invoices with the details below. For availability email: amanda@amandadelaforce.com
Itinerary
Day 1 (19 Nov)
Arrive in Tongatapu anytime. Stay at the accommodation you have booked. Suggest the Tanoa Dateline Hotel or Tukulolo Tree Houses (book as early as you can, as they book out quickly).
Day 2 (20 Nov)
Transfer to the domestic airport for your island flight to Ha’apai
Car and boat transfer from Ha’apa Airport to Fanifo Lofa
Rest and unpack
Twin-share
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3-6 (21-24 Nov)
Whale swimming, approx. 6 hours
Accommodation (Fanifo Lofa)
Afternoon activities or rest
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7 (25 Nov)
Sunday is a day of rest
Accommodation Fanifo Lofa
Possible church visit
Free day
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8 (26 Nov)
Whale swimming, approx. 6 hours
Accommodation Fanifo Lofa
Afternoon activities or rest
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9 (27 Nov)
Boat transfer to Ha’apai Airport, return to Tongataou
Breakfast and Lunch
How to Get There
International: if you are travelling from Australia, you can take direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to Nuku’alofa-Tongatapu (TBU) with Virgin Australia or Qantas. The flight time is approximately 6 hours. Alternatively, you can consider Air New Zealand or Fiji Airways for flight/stopover options.
For travellers originating from the United States, the flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nuku’alofa-Tongatapu (TBU) takes approximately 13 hours, with the fastest route being from Honolulu to Nuku’alofa. Two airlines operate flights to Tonga: Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways.
Domestic: the internal flights are included in the package price.
For more information, click here.
About the Area
Currency
Bookings, Payment, Cancellation Policy and Force Majeure in relation to the Tour
- Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd. highly recommends you purchase travel and dive insurance as soon as possible after confirming your travel plans. We recommend Dive Assure, or DAN, for diving insurance. Dive Assure offers dive and travel insurance, both annual and short-term (per trip). You can purchase it here.
- Evidence of adequate travel and dive insurance must be provided prior to departure.
- Bookings made more than 100 days out from the start of a trip require a deposit of $600.00 USD per passenger.
- All deposits are non-refundable.
- Bookings made less than 100 days out from tour commencement require payment in full to secure your booking.
- Payment in full is required 100 days out from the start of the trip. We will email you a final payment reminder. No refunds will be given within 100 days of the start of any trip, under any circumstances.
- If you cancel your spot more than 100 days before the start of a trip and we/you are able to resell or fill the spot, a trip credit for your remaining balance (minus a $300 USD service fee deducted) will be issued for use on another Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd. trip within 2 years of the cancellation.
- If you cancel your spot less than 99 days prior to the start of a trip, no refund or credit will be issued for deposits that have been paid.
- If our In-Country Providers cancel or if a Force Majeure Event occurs, meaning any act of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood or any other extreme weather conditions, loss of power, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, slow-downs or other strike activities, riots or civil disturbances, acts of government, semi government or other authorities, inability to obtain any necessary license or consent and delays caused by sub-contractors, suppliers or other third parties (including telecommunications carriers), material shortages or other disruption to the trip beyond our control, Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd. shall not be held responsible for matters outside of our control or any failure to deliver the trip.
- The affiliated and established company, such as Kitesurf Tonga, holds the relevant insurance and maintains responsibility for the dive and snorkel insurance policies and procedures. As such, when in the water diving, snorkeling, or swimming, you are diving under the affiliated company’s policies and procedures and must adhere to either the captain, dive instructor, or divemaster’s instructions.
- Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd. takes no responsibility for loss, damage, or injury arising from any shortfall, error, or omission in the information passed to the customer during the course of the sale or subsequent delivery of the product. The company takes no responsibility nor can be held liable for loss, damage, or injury that occurs on a supplier’s or service provider’s premises or transport, or between two such premises.
- Participation in any of the activities involves certain risks, which may result in injury or death. This warning does not purport to describe or disclose all the risks associated with participation in the activities. There are a wide range of inherent risks when engaging in sports, particularly underwater sports; for example, with diving, there is the risk of decompression sickness, embolism, or other hyperbaric injuries that require treatment in a recompression chamber. Open-water scuba diving trips may be conducted at sites that are remote, either by time or distance, from emergency services or recompression facilities. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and tours will involve uncontrolled encounters with wild animals, which bears the risk of stings, bites, and, at the extreme end, more serious injury and death. Participants should be responsible and aware of animal behaviors and their own interactions, and they should engage in these activities entirely at their own risk.
- We will not be liable to you in respect of any personal injury (including, without limitation, serious injury or death) that you may suffer or sustain directly or indirectly as a result of attending the trip or participating in the activities. Nor will we be liable to you in respect of any other losses arising as a result of any such personal injury (including, without limitation, loss of profit or earnings or other consequential losses). We will not be liable to you in respect of any of your personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged before, during, or after a trip.
- Please ensure you understand our cancellation policy prior to providing any deposits and agree to the booking and trip. By placing a booking with Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd., this implies that you accept these booking terms and conditions and cancellation policy.
Trading as “Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd.”