whale swimming in tonga

How long till the season ends for swimming with the whales in Tonga, and where should i best go to do it? thanks

Whale encounters in Niue are less predictable but more honest than the Vavau deal I'm told. You just need a boat and then the proliferation of humpbacks really manifest themselves by the reefs like Minerva and Beveridge. In that relative isolation there is a sense of freedom for observers and a chance to tell those whales "good luck with the Japanese harpoon gauntlet and we'd like to see you back again with your calves next year"

There is only two places left where a swimmer can closely encounter the southern Humpback (Only one with the Northern Humback)

Be quick because both Niue and Tonga are fast becoming regulated influenced by the world bureacracies and then you have the Japanese eating humpback every day. Gleaned from the south Pacific Islands' potential tourism market.

Crossie could go on and on about this, But tomorrow we are cutting a swathe across the Makatea to the cliff and therefore I must get some rest.

Mid-July to Mid-October.

This year, price per person was about T$200 - 300 per day.

The Japanese kill/eat very little Whale-it's an unappetising product that is thought of as 'Old People's Food</i>'.

#3 - so why are they still trying to buy votes from small island nations, such as Tonga, to open up the market?

Politics is an obscure and unpleasant game at the best of times.

Click Here to see how out of touch Govt in Norway and Japan are with market conditions for Whale meat.

Still Whaling Commission representatives from Japan offer favours (read bribes) to backwaters like Tonga and Tuvalu and the market shrinks.

number 3
yeah the japs dont eat whale meat and or use the oil and the nazis didnt kill any jews

g

and check out Japan's dolphin "festival."
http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

Gord-that's Old News-really really old.

Dd you know that those Dolphins return to the same place to be slaughtered every year-not all that smart are they?

We have been twice to Vava'u to swim with the humpback whales with Whaleswim Adventures and we will go again in 2009 - they are professional and their packages are excellent value - especially now, when a day-trip with a local operator is T$200 - $300 without lunch.
Their packages include everything except airfares and drinks - so no hidden costs and it works out cheaper than booking trips and accommodation separately as accommodation and food is expensive in Tonga. They are very dedicated to making sure their guests have as many encounters in the water with the whales that is possible without disturbing the whales. We did witness some of the local operators not caring about the whales and it was very distressing for us.
Over the 2 tours we have experienced with Whaleswim were both 9 days each and we swam with whales every day - especially mothers and their calves, snorkeled reefs and caves and had a fantastic time - their staff are easy-going and alot of fun. We highly recommend them as the best in Vava'u. WhaleSwim also do a 3-day tours with accommodation included, butt its far too short for us!
The accommodation we liked best over the 2 tours is Blue Lagoon Resort, Reef Resort, Hilltop Hotel and Vava'u Harbourview Resort.

Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of going to Tonga to swim with the whales!

(I see in previous postings - comments about Nerima Lodge on Nuku'alofa - we stayed there on our first trip to Tonga - because they have a whales tail on their logo but the Japanese owner informed us she is one of the lobbyists to bring back whaling in Tonga!!! We never could stay there again!)

"accommodation and food is expensive in Tonga."

You must not have travelled much to post something as ludicrous as quoted.

There's nothing wrong with eating red meat and cetacea have no 'rights' -that is abject nonsense.

You don't have to go al the way to Va'vau. I was on fafa and saw a mum and baby swim by.

What is abject nonsense is the killing of sentient beings that no-one wants to eat under the dubious guise of extending an outmoded tradition.

"What is abject nonsense is the killing of sentient beings that no-one wants to eat under the dubious guise of extending an outmoded tradition."
That's life and always has been-kill one to feed another-anyone who denies the necessity of that simple fact is dreaming.

As Pan said in the book Findhorn "Carrots and cabbages scream too when harvested if you had ears to hear them+"

We should really continue this discussion over a pint or six in a comfy hostelry.

I lived in China for 4 years. You will be amazed at what some people will eat.

woof woof.

...and kill one to feed another is all very well but even the Japanese don't want to eat whale and dolphin. They've got the stuff stockpiled. See the thread I left to direct you to the article that indicates that the dolphin "harvest" is sponsored largely by traders who pick out some of the dolphins for aqua-parks.

"the dolphin "harvest" is sponsored largely by traders who pick out some of the dolphins for aqua-parks."

Dead or alive they're just animals.

"Dead or alive they're just animals."
And so are you,mate.
I fear there's nothing to be gained by talking to you...with or without the pints in a comfy hostelry.
Take it easy.

Vegan weirdos never thrive, the islands of the South Pacific are in no way amenable to their oddball philosophies.

#20. please.

1. They are not sentient. Intelligent yes, but no more so than a blue heeler.

2. The Japanese do indeed eat them. I've been there.

3. A pint or six sounds great (licks lips).