Budget swimming with whales

globality22:23 UTC24 Sep 2009

Hi,

Are there any budget optiosn for swimming with the whales. We are 2 and plan to swim 10 days with the whales. and then spend another 2 weeks in Tonga.

Thx

5waldos22:53 UTC25 Sep 2009

10 days with the whales? That seems a lot to me, but I've never done it. Do people really do this for that long?

harrychorpita00:21 UTC28 Sep 2009

The short answer is No-there are no tour operators in Vava'u who are cut rate, you might find someone in Haapai who's a bit cheaper.

Then again cheaper isn't better since it involves cutting corners somewhere, all boats taking out tourists in Tonga have to pass Govt inspection and have all the proper safety equipment and Staff training, this all costs money as does imported gasoline or diesel.

"10 days with the whales? That seems a lot to me, but I've never done it. Do people really do this for that long?"

Once they see how much it all costs I doubt they'll be doing any 10 day anything.

harry_mudd01:10 UTC30 Sep 2009

budget. crikey.

If you can't afford to travel, plus 10% emergency money, then don't travel.
</rant>

finsnflukes03:11 UTC27 Oct 2009

It depends on your budget really! Some would say $100 USD for a full day out on a boat is pretty budget as is and we think five trips should be sufficient for most people to achieve everything they wish as far as Whale Watching is concerned.

triplegcmh02:57 UTC03 Jan 2010

Hi,

10 days with the whales is:
1) going to be outrageously expensive
2) going to be too much (its not that you will get sick of the whales, you just don't need that many)

11 days, ten nights, 5 days whale swimming, including all airfares, taxes and accomm.
$US 2,863.02 ex Sydney. ($3190 AUS) www.whaledive.net

best i can do...

:-)

hydroviper00:54 UTC04 Jan 2010

2 people 10 days Whale Watching with Fins 'n' Flukes T$4200 (may discount), dom flights to Ha'apai $T600, accomodation Langi Langi 24 days T$600 = T$5400 (USD $3034) or $1500 USD per person excluding international airfare which can be picked up for a couple of hundred dollars return on Pacific Blue grab a seat. Very reasonable for a month long trip and Ha'apai is the cheapest option for this if you ask me. DIY is the best way to do this for sure, these set up tours are taking big bucks for little effort.

Budget swimming with whales Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tonga
globality22:23 UTC24 Sep 2009	Hi, Are there any budget optiosn for swimming with the whales. We are 2 and plan to swim 10 days with the whales. and then spend another 2 weeks in Tonga. Thx
5waldos22:53 UTC25 Sep 2009	10 days with the whales? That seems a lot to me, but I've never done it. Do people really do this for that long?	1
harrychorpita00:21 UTC28 Sep 2009	The short answer is No-there are no tour operators in Vava'u who are cut rate, you might find someone in Haapai who's a bit cheaper. Then again cheaper isn't better since it involves cutting corners somewhere, all boats taking out tourists in Tonga have to pass Govt inspection and have all the proper safety equipment and Staff training, this all costs money as does imported gasoline or diesel. "10 days with the whales? That seems a lot to me, but I've never done it. Do people really do this for that long?" Once they see how much it all costs I doubt they'll be doing any 10 day anything.	2
harry_mudd01:10 UTC30 Sep 2009	budget. crikey. If you can't afford to travel, plus 10% emergency money, then don't travel. </rant>	3
finsnflukes03:11 UTC27 Oct 2009	It depends on your budget really! Some would say $100 USD for a full day out on a boat is pretty budget as is and we think five trips should be sufficient for most people to achieve everything they wish as far as Whale Watching is concerned.	4
triplegcmh02:57 UTC03 Jan 2010	Hi, 10 days with the whales is: 1) going to be outrageously expensive 2) going to be too much (its not that you will get sick of the whales, you just don't need that many) 11 days, ten nights, 5 days whale swimming, including all airfares, taxes and accomm. $US 2,863.02 ex Sydney. ($3190 AUS) www.whaledive.net best i can do... :-)	5
hydroviper00:54 UTC04 Jan 2010	2 people 10 days Whale Watching with Fins 'n' Flukes T$4200 (may discount), dom flights to Ha'apai $T600, accomodation Langi Langi 24 days T$600 = T$5400 (USD $3034) or $1500 USD per person excluding international airfare which can be picked up for a couple of hundred dollars return on Pacific Blue grab a seat. Very reasonable for a month long trip and Ha'apai is the cheapest option for this if you ask me. DIY is the best way to do this for sure, these set up tours are taking big bucks for little effort.	6