Whale Swim in Tonga

Whale Swim in Tonga
Hi All, I am planning to visit Vava'u to swim the humpback whales this year and would really appreciate some help with the following questions:

Is October an ok month to swim with mothers and calves?

How can i contact whale swim operators in Vava'u to check out their whale swim trips (as i prefer to book directly and not a package deal)

Can you suggest company names for above

Can you please recommend accommodation on Vava'u and places to eat

What is the price of a flight from Nuku'alofa to Vava'u, what is the name of the airline and do they fly daily

Is Pacific blue the only airline that flies from Sydney to Nuku'alofa

I know this is alot of questions but your help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Sandy

hi,
pls read my thread posted today.

Whale watch is good from mid-Aug till mid Oct. Calves are born around late July to late Aug.
An expert suggested me to visit Vava'u from Mid-Sept to Mid-Oct when babies are stronger and mothers are more calm.
You can book after arrival. Just call or visit those whale watching companies and seek the availability.
DO NOT go out with " Whales in the Wild", for they are not responsible to the customers.
Suggest you to book with "Dive Vava'u"

You can book Advanture Backpacker in Vava'u. The hotel is cheap and free internet. You can stay there for a couple of days and look for your ideal hotel there.

Only one airline from Tongapu to Vava'u: the Chatham Air.
You can book air-ticket on-line with your visa card.
Flight between Tongapu and Vava'u every day but you should check the detailed time.

For names of whale watching companies, pls visit http://www.vavau.to/activities3.html
But DO NOT go out with Whales in the Wild!

Kirk

Hello Sandy, have been there 3 times so, here we go:

Is October an ok month to swim with mothers and calves? it can happen, but it's not guarantee, any reliable tour operator will say that it's not always about mum's and calves. Last week I swam with a group of 6 - males probably. Much more thrilling than a mum and calf - in my opinion.

How can i contact whale swim operators in Vava'u to check out their whale swim trips (as i prefer to book directly and not a package deal). I went and highly reccomend Dive vava'u, both for professionalism and knowledge of the field - Karen is almost finishing a Masters intto Maritime Biology field. You can also check with Endangered Encounters, which are also amazing but tend to have more charters. http://www.divevavau.com/ and http://www.endangeredencounters.com/

Can you suggest company names for above
read abouve

Can you please recommend accommodation on Vava'u and places to eat
It all depends on your $$:
high end: Tongan Beach Resort
self-contained: http://www.mysticsands.net/

Both are far from town, but in the case for whale wathcing the boats always pass in front of them to go out in open waters, so, they always do pick ups

town guest house- which I stayed and reccomend - basic but excellent location in the centre yet quiet: Port Wine: http://www.tongaholiday.com/?page_id=208 it's 50 paanga a day.

Food: plenty of options - 22 actually.
The bests for a fine meal: Ovava and Dancing Rooster. For a regular meal, Balcony or Aquarium. Take care of chicken there thou...

bars: only two real ones - Tonga Bob's and Marmeid.

What is the price of a flight from Nuku'alofa to Vava'u, what is the name of the airline and do they fly daily: look up in the internet: http://www.chathamspacific.com/

Is Pacific blue the only airline that flies from Sydney to Nuku'alofa - don't know, probably yes, although you can try to see specials with Air New Zealand or Air Pacific via NZ or Fiji always...

REMARK: there are no flights in or out of the country or inside it on Sundays!!!

Good luck.