Swimming with humpback whales is one of the best wildlife experiences on earth and Tonga is the ideal place for underwater photography of whales. It offers better visibility, fewer crowds and more whales than other locations where you can swim with whales. The Vava’u Islands themselves are a tropical paradise; picture-perfect with no high-rise buildings or unsightly commercial centers.
Our tours are uniquely designed to give you 2-3 times more time in the water with whales than other tours. We use private charter boats, for you only (if traveling solo) or for you and your family or friends. Public tours have swimmers take turns, often missing out on sightings so by having your own boat you will maximize your time underwater with whales.
Every year between July- October approximately 2,300 humpback whales arrive in The Kingdom of Tonga to give birth to their young and to mate. Having made a long journey from the icy krill-laden waters of Antarctica, the whales seek shelter in shallow, warm waters of the Vava’u Islands. Here, males sing to attract mates and perform breaches and spyhopping. The mothers suckle their calves and help them learn to breath air and dive.Â
Accommodation is at a beautiful luxury oceanside resort.
Give us a shout! Suzi and her expert team are happy to talk to you.
Suzi Eszterhas is a professional wildlife photographer based in California. With over 20 years of experience leading photo tours, Suzi shares her knowledge and exclusive access to incredible locations
all over the world. She has a loyal following of photographers of all levels who join her in expeditions so booking ahead is essential.Â
She has photographed over 100 magazine covers and features stories, which include TIME, Smithsonian, BBC Wildlife, The New York Times, Audubon, Ranger Rick, and National Geographic Kids. Her ability to tell compelling visual stories has made her a sought-after photographer, with her work also featured on GoodMorningAmerica.com and TodayShow.com. She is also the author of more than 29 books, including her recently released coffee-table book New On Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild. Suzi was awarded as the Outstanding Photographer of the Year by the North American Nature Photography Association and has won numerous awards in many competitions, including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. Suzi also plays a key role in the photography world as the jury chair for the prestigious Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition, further cementing her reputation as a leader in the field.
Suzi’s tours sell out early, but we do get cancellations. Just email us to get on a waitlist.
And make sure to sign up to our mailing list to receive tour announcements.
The journey begins with a personal call with Suzi to discuss your interests and dream destination.
From there, she will craft a customized itinerary, curating a one-of-a-kind wildlife adventure
tailored just for you. It’s easy! Simply email us to get started.
CST # 2097753-40
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. All images Copyright Suzi Eszterhas.
