“LOOK NO FURTHER! Humpback Swims can't be beat!!
My husband and I began traveling in 1978! Tonga was the 150th country we have explored, so we are quite experienced travelers.
We have budget traveled both alone, and used travel companies with various degrees of satisfaction.
We BOTH agree that Nadia Aly at Humpback Swims has the absolutely, most well organized, efficacious, and rewarding tour we have ever experienced in our 46 years of adventures. Every detail was attended to professionally, with kindness, and to the highest degree of satisfaction. Nadia's staff are some of the hardest working people we've ever met and they are truly proud of their conservation and protection of the humpbacks that visit Tonga waters every year. From the captain of the boat, the in-water guide, and Flying Annie staff, we could not have had a more rewarding experience. As we know, nature is unpredictable. However, the staff labored to find whales every day and we had 3/5 days of unbelievable whale swims. The guides were extremely conscience of the different levels of "snorkeling ability" and accommodated each of us, as needed, with a smile and enthusiasm!!
Flying Annie was quite a pleasant surprise! A cute little B&B that certainly felt like home! Extremely clean, friendly, and the breakfast each morning was fantastic. Beds were very comfortable and wonderful hot showers, too.
If you have ever dreamed of swimming with a humpback whale and her baby, this is the company to book. We highly recommend, without any hesitation, Humpbackswims.com. We honestly feel we got more than our monies worth, and the experience greatly exceeded our expectations as seasoned, senior citizen adventurers. Nadia and her staff are outstanding!!
Ryan & Nanc”
“In spite of windy weather and rough seas we were excited to the see the mothers nursing and teaching the babies as well as the maile "escorts" accompany the mother. We did not get to see the heat run (male whales competing for a female) but or friends shared their video. The Mystic Sands hostess, Peta, checked on us everyday to see if we needed anything, her husband Mo drove us around the island and into town as needed. We ate at Mystic Sands most nights since Peta was a great cook. The owner, Keil, also checked on us. Julie from Humpback Swims arranged for us to have a different boat than our neighbors to accommodate our older needs i.e. 5-6 hours on the seas instead of 7 which is the maximum. The boat captain and crew worked hard to find the whales and make us as comfortable as possible in rough seas.”
“An Unforgettable 8-Day Whale Swim Adventure in Vava'u with Humpback Swims!!!
Our recent trip to Vava'u, Tonga with Humpback Swims was nothing short of magical. We booked the 8-swim day package and stayed at Mystic Sands, a stunning resort situated right on the water. The experience was fantastic from start to finish, and I can't recommend it enough!
Mystic Sands truly is a gem on the island. With its beachfront location, we were treated to the sight of whales from the resort itself on multiple occasions. Imagine waking up, enjoying your morning coffee, and seeing a humpback whale blowing in the distance. It was simply breathtaking and added to the wonder of the entire trip.
Our whale guides and skippers were top notch! Their expertise, passion, and care for the whales made every swim an extraordinary experience. They knew the best spots to take us, and their respect for the animals and deep knowledge of their behavior made us feel both safe and in awe of these gentle giants. They created an environment where we could deeply connect with the whales in a responsible and unforgettable way.
Each day in the water was a new adventure. No two swims were the same, but every one was special in its own way. From mothers and calves playfully interacting to majestic solo whales gliding through the deep blue, every moment was like a dream. The whales seemed just as curious about us as we were about them, making each encounter feel incredibly intimate and unique.
Mystic Sands, with its peaceful ambiance, was the perfect retreat after a day on the water. The staff was warm and accommodating, the rooms were comfortable, and the fact that we could see whales from the beach was the icing on the cake. Without a doubt, Mystic Sands is the top option on the island for anyone seeking a complete Vava'u experience. It is very clear to see this after spending two weeks on the island.
This trip was truly life-changing, and I cannot recommend Humpback Swims and Mystic Sands highly enough. The combination of expert guides, a perfect location, and the awe-inspiring presence of the humpbacks made it a trip of a lifetime!”
“Excellent experience. Logistically seemless. All staff were extremely professional and genuinely nice people. The whales were extraordinary. Would recommend to everyone!”
“I’ve been on numerous tours now in Tonga, and this one was the best by leaps and bounds! The organization, quality of the boats, staff and crew outshine every other island and tour !
The whales put on a show in Tonga, but the attention to detail on these humpback swims tours can’t be beat! I’ve finally found my forever company for whale swimming! You can’t go wrong by going with Humpback Swims, they simply are the highest quality tour in Tonga.
We stayed at flying Annie and really enjoyed the hotel. It’s walking to distance to everything. It made things a lot easier for us after whale swimming.
We enjoyed the Kraken for dinner and went there most nights.
The crew we had was amazing, we always had great guides and captains ! They know their stuff and it’s easy to see how important having a good guide and captain is. It really makes or breaks the trip.
We had an absolutely mind blowing trip with the whales and the people of Tonga! Don’t hesitate to book, it will change your life!”
“I recently had the extraordinary privilege of swimming with humpback whales in Tonga, and it was, without a doubt, one of the most awe-inspiring and magical experiences of my life! From the moment I arrived, everything was meticulously organized, making the trip seamless and enjoyable from start to finish.
The guides were exceptionally knowledgeable, respectful of the whales' natural behavior, and made sure we were fully briefed on safety and responsible interaction with these majestic creatures. The boat crew was professional yet incredibly warm, making everyone feel comfortable and excited for what lay ahead.
And then came the whales! Words can't fully capture the sensation of being in the water alongside these gentle giants. Seeing them glide gracefully, witnessing a mother and calf swim close by, and hearing their hauntingly beautiful songs underwater is something I will never forget. Each encounter felt deeply personal, as if time stood still in those moments.
Not only did this experience connect me deeply to nature, but it also left me with a profound sense of awe and respect for these incredible animals. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. Whether you’re a seasoned ocean lover or a first-time adventurer, this is an experience that will stay with you forever. Tonga is truly the ultimate destination for anyone who dreams of swimming with humpback whales!”
“EVERYThing about this trip was EXCEPTIONAL!! Nadia is the consummate professional and assured that every detail of our humpback whale swim journey was phenomenal. Our boat captain Ali & Whale diver Willi were the Best at maximizing every single moment we had on the water. We felt Very Fortunate to be on their boat exploring the beauty of Vava'u and the whale encounters we had were life-changing. Our accommodations at Ocean Song were wonderful & restful and our housestaff (Stanley & Tassi) got us started every day with a wonderful breakfast and we came back exhausted each day to a welcoming, clean home. Again we could have not asked for a more Wonderful trip, highlighted by the beautiful country, whales & especially our Tongan hosts. Could Not Recommend any Higher, and our Sincere Thanks for Memories we will cherish Forever! Brian Leach & Krista DeRespino”
“Excellent service and very communicative throughout the entire process. Boat crew was excellent giving us the best encounters with the whales while still respecting them. Hotel was nicely located and staff were very nice with good breakfast. Nadia is second to none. She was always there to deal with any problems immediately and was very patient and quickly responsive to any questions I had. She also put on a local Tongan BBQ which was great and delicious as it was difficult to find local food anywhere.”
“What an epic trip! This was just an incredible experience and loved every minute of it. Swimming with the humpbacks blew my expectations out of the water. I did the 8 swim day package and the duration and amount of time out on the ocean was perfect. We had amazing swims each and everyday. One of the top wildlife experiences I’ve had. Everyone at Humpback Swims was great and a pleasure to interact with. Nadia is super helpful, organized, and quick to respond with any info. The skippers, guides, and boats were all amazing. Lunches on the boats were great too and they were able to deal with all dietary requirements. Highly recommend Mystic Sands as well. Perfect spot and fantastic staff. This trip was one of the best I’ve done and highly highly recommend!”
“1 million out of 5 stars! What an amazing experience! From the on-the-ground support from arrival until departure, to the location, and all of the people behind the scenes working seamlessly to ensure the week was the best possible time. I can't say enough about our boat and its amazing crew, who's experience and expertise in understanding whale behavior ensured we got maximum, meaningful time with the whales while ensuring their safety and wellbeing. I absolutely recommend the 4 person boat trip if you are looking to have the most whale swimming time as possible. This was a fantastic experience that exceeded all of my expectations!”
“Fantastic, once in a lifetime trip that far exceeded expectations. Nadia and her team were outstanding. Nadia was so thoughtful, she had all bases covered to ensure her guests were happy. Any issues, you can trust she would promptly sort out. I would recommend this trip to everyone. We saw so many whales and the whale watch team were experts in their field. Whales were respected and the coordination amongst boats to ensure 4pax in the sea for any one whale was really positive. Vava’u is a remote location but the accommodation, food, access to amenities were fantastic. Nadia even ensured we had access to a car!! Honestly I couldn’t have wished for a better trip. Thank you and I look forward to booking my next one. Zahra S (July 2024)”
“Excellent and incredibly unique experience. The whales speak for themselves. And while there are several tour operators in Tonga, I wanted the focus of my review to be on why you should choose Nadia and her team. Every detail is thoroughly and responsibly covered ahead of time and Nadia is very fast to answer all of your questions. The tour itself was fantastic and meticulously managed by Nadia and her team, from the properties to the lunches on the boat to downtime. Even when things went wrong, she was fast to resolve the issues in a professional manner - so if they do, speak up to her, she will fix it. The guides were phenomenal, a tremendous amount of kudos to them. We were with Vili and Ali, and it was a gift to see how talented they were with not just spotting but interacting with the whales. It was an incredibly inspiring week, and I can't wait to do it again in the future.”
“This trip was absolutely incredible. I was extremely lucky to be in an amazing group. We all got along so well and had a lot of fun in the water. The whales were so social and so aware that we were with them in the water. We saw almost everything we wanted to see from single whales to calves. Our captain and dive guide were the best. The Ocean song house was perfect, i would say even better than flying Annie and Mystic sand.
Nadia was obviously perfect as well, always there if we needed something and present to have some diners together.”
“This was truly the trip of a lifetime!! My family and I had the most magical time both in the water and out. We met friends that we will keep for a lifetime -- including Nadia! It is clear how much this team cares about the whales and how much they want everyone to have an incredible experience. I cannot recommend this enough.”
“Best Trip Ever!
I don’t even know where to begin.
I booked this trip specifically because it was set up by Nadia Aly and I was already a fan of her incredible photography and YouTube videos.
Ethical encounters with whales was my most important criteria. It takes an intelligent, experienced person with strong moral character to realize the importance of ethical interactions and to keep that criteria at the forefront of the expedition. Nadia is that person.
As whale swims become more popular, there are growing pressures on guides to cut corners, or bend rules in order to accommodate new customers with unrealistic expectations. It takes genuine effort and self determination to stand up to these pressures and continue to always give the whales the respect they deserve.
Nadia made it look so easy! She has the experience and strength to give us the encounters of a lifetime while keeping the well-being of the whales as priority number one!
She has built a team of likeminded local experts who she can trust to make every trip as incredible as possible. Life changing encounters are not something that a guide can guarantee, but it happened for me time and again! All of the guides that I went out with were absolutely top notch, ethical, and responsible team members who work together with the entire whale watching “Tongan Community” to give us the encounters that we have dreamed of, while minimizing the impact that we whale lovers can have on these animals. I could go on and on about my time in the water… but I’ll wrap this review up by saying that the experience of my Tonga trip was effortless, comfortable, safe, and highly enjoyable. Before I even contacted Nadia, I knew what to expect. She has hours of YouTube videos that let me know exactly what I was getting into. I booked pre-pandemic and had issues arise over the years. My emails were always returned promptly and communication was very clear. Once I was on island, I felt completely taken care of. I can be a little high maintenance, with all of my gear and personal preferences… but all of my needs were met without exception. Maybe I had a high needs group, but we asked for help with car rentals, computers, batteries, inter-island flights, late departures, extra water days…. you name it… all of our needs were met each and every time.
I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with whales, and I’ve come to care for them greatly. I highly recommend Nadia’s trips and I will absolutely be joining her for future adventures.”
“I went with my sister Vitoria in august, and it was the best trip we ever did, totally worth it. Words can not describe what we felt and saw in Tonga. A special thank you to Nadia, our crew in the boat and the crew in Mystic Sands, you all made us feel at home”
“Don't hesitate for a minute—book a trip with Humpback Swims to see the whales of Vava'u, Tonga for yourself! Humpback Swims runs a top-notch operation out of Vava'u, with comfortable, safe boats, knowledgeable guides, capable captains, and great lunches on the boat.
On an 11-night/8-day swim tour, we got in the water with whales all but one of the days. Our last day on the boat was one of my most spectacular in-water days ever, and I've been a scuba diver for over 20 years. We were in the water for almost two hours with a mama, calf, and escort—incredible! Honestly, the trip couldn't have been better. Thank you, Humpback Swims, for an experience I'll remember for a lifetime!”
“5⭐️+ Nadia has this trip dialed in, every detail, from the booking process thru the return to the airport. The trip exceeded my expectations in every way, the 🐋, Mystic Sands accommodations, morning breakfast, evening dinners, boat crews and Captains!”
“Sept 2023 trip: There are really no words to describe our experience swimming with humpback whales in Vava'u. This is an experience to be felt. There's so much excitement, inner peace, and gratitude towards not only swimming with the whales, but the beautiful island that Tongans call home. Nadia, thank you for organizing this amazing and unforgettable trip. Humpback Swims is an amazing, reputable company and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the trip.”
