Snorkeling with sharks and whales in Tonga?

I am going in January and wonder if there is anywhere with excellent snorkeling right off the beach anywhere in Tonga? I'd like to go where there are lots of big fish, but not dependent on finding a boat to get out to. Any help anyone? I've snorkeled in the Coral triangle a lot, so my standards are kind of high.

" I'd like to go where there are lots of big fish, but not dependent on finding a boat to get out to"

Tonga is the oldest settled island group in Polynesia-large fish near shore were extirpated long long ago-people gotta eat you know.

I have seen some decent sized permit near certain spots on Utungake but rented a small skiff to get there.

Also-years past there have been some large Sharks quite close to shore in the same area- one killed a Peace Corps volunteer -not a common occurrence but a number of similar species were found when authorities did a sweep later that month.

You won't be snorkeling with Whales from shore either.

Tonga doesn't have fantastic snorkelling. One of the best places (where there is accommodation) is from Vaka'eitu in Vava'u. Off Foeata is also OK and you probably stand a better chance of seeing bigger fish. There are some nicer spots on some islands lacking sandy beaches, but no accommodation.

There was another shark attack a few years before that one.... it was someone snorkelling with whales!