ever wanted to swim with whales?
absolutely magnificent
We have been returning to Tonga for over 10 years to swim with the humpback whales, and it remains one of the most incredible places in the world to swim with these sentient beings.
After a decade in these waters, we know the rhythms of the season, the best spots and how to give you the most time in the water with the whales.
Every single day is a completely different experience. One day we could witness a heat run with 10 or more whales, the next we could snorkel alongside a resting mum and calf, and the next we could find a lone male singer calling for a lover with the most beautiful song.
No two encounters are ever the same, which is exactly why we maximise as much time as we possibly can with the whales and spend 5 full days on the water. We have purposely booked this trip in the middle of peak season, when the waters are warmer and the calves are more confident and playful.
16th - 23rd september 2027
connect with marine life on a deeper level
This is a true expedition. Not a guaranteed show. Every single day on the water is shaped by the ocean, the weather and the whales themselves, and that is exactly what makes it so special.
Humpback whales are wild animals moving through their own world. Some days you could slip into the water beside a resting mum and calf. Other days a heat run could erupt around the boat with ten or more whales surging through the surface. Or a lone male will be singing below you, his song vibrating through the water and into your chest.
Some days we will find the whales straight away, other days it could take take hours. Some days the sun is shinning, other days it's windy and rainy. Every single encounter is different and every single day is a privilege.
All we ask of you is patience, positivity and an open heart.
Let go of the Instagram videos you've seen. Let go of what you think it's going to look like. Come ready to be surprised, because what Tonga actually gives you is almost always more than you imagined.
ABOUT THE TRIP
paradise
TONGA
We spend five full days on the water. These are long, adventure-filled days. Hours of scanning the horizon, sudden bursts of adrenaline, then quiet stretches where the ocean is doing its thing and you're just along for the ride. That in-between time?
It's actually one of our favourite parts. Some of the best conversations, the deepest laughs and the most unexpected friendships happen on the boat between encounters.
This expedition is for confident, open-water swimmers who are genuinely comfortable in deep ocean. We are out in open sea, conditions can be choppy, and the swims require you to hold your position in a swell. If you are still building your ocean confidence, we would love to have you on one of our other expeditions to build up your confidence.
Beyond the swimming, what this trip really calls for is flexibility and a true expedition mindset. An openness to long days, changing plans and the beautiful unpredictability of nature. The women who get the most out of Tonga are the ones who arrive with no fixed agenda,
just an enormous appetite for whatever the ocean decides to give them.
If that sounds like you, you are going to absolutely love this.
an unforgettable experience
swim with whales
what's
included:
- All meals by a private chef
- 1 x pre night twin accommodation on mainland Tonga 16th September
- 6 nights shared beachfront island accommodation during the expedition 17th - 23rd September
- Return transfer via boat or flight from mainland airport (Weather dependent) to our island on the 17th September
- 5 x 7 hour private charter days swimming with humpback whales including lunch
- Visit to a local school to gift donations
- Surprise gifts
- Half day tour exploring caves & cliffs
- Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits
- Beach yoga & meditation, ice baths & sauna (weather permitting)
- Be apart of the most amazing, supportive community and meet like minded, soul sisters!
expedition INCLUSIONS
not
included:
- Tips for guides
- Post night accommodation
- Travel insurance
- International flights to Tonga
- Anything not listed
- Bad vibes, negative energy :) ONLY POSITIVE VIBES welcome :)
shared beachfront accommodation
$7,650 aud
flexible payment plan available
(click book now to see the PAYMENT PLAN Dates)
BOOK NOW
Daily schedule
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
Itinerary
7am: YOGA
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
7am: YOGA
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
7am: YOGA
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
7am: YOGA
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
7am: YOGA
Join us for an exclusive 6 night stay in paradise with incredible, like minded travellers from all over the world. Enjoy epic travel experiences, rejuvenate your body & mind, learn from us & connect with new friends! Enjoy organic, locally sourced.
7am: YOGA
BOOK NOW
FAQ's
Yes, all of our trips are available on payment plans. Just click the book now button and it will show you the plan.
International flights are not included. The airport you will fly into will be Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tongaputu - and you can either fly with Fiji airlines via Nadi, Fiji or via Qantas to Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tongaputu (Nuku'alofa) and then a domestic aircraft or boat to Eua transport will be organised by us. The domestic airport is about 5 minutes away from the international airport.
We can assist you with international flights if you would like someone to book them for you.
We arrive back to the mainland when returning approximately 5pm. For your international flight back home it is highly advised to book it the next day should there be any weather or flight disruptions. You are responsibly for any pre-post accommodation on the mainland.
Yes, we do our best to cater to dietary requirements, and we ask that you let us know well in advance so we can notify our chef and resort team. That said, Tonga is a remote destination with limited access to specialty ingredients, so while we can absolutely accommodate genuine allergies and intolerances, we aren't always able to cater to food preferences. The more notice you give us, the better we can prepare for you.
We strongly encourage guests coming on this particular expedition to be confident swimmers and snorkelers. We will be in deep, open ocean water swimming with whales so a certain level of fitness and swimming experience is required. Sometimes sea's can be rough, big swells and chaotic, so for your best interest we encourage you to pick another one of our destinations to gain confidence in the water if you are not quite there yet :)
Absolutely, and you are in very good company. The majority of women who travel with OceanZen come on their own, and that is genuinely part of what makes these trips so special. You will be paired in twin share accommodation with another solo traveller, and within the first day together the group already feels like a sisterhood. Some of our guests have gone on to become lifelong friends. You won't feel alone for a single second.
testimonials
Hear from our past guests.
xoxo
We'll be in touch as soon as we can!
We can't wait to meet you.
THANK YOU!
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