“Nadia is such a gem! She has the knowledge of the waters and marine animals unlike anyone I’ve ever seen. She’s always in good spirits and is always so excited for her guests to see marine animals. Everyone on the tour from Nadia to the boat captain to the boat guide were professional and fun! I had the experience of a lifetime and would recommend this experience to everyone!”
“I had an absolutely amazing time on the Baja Blue Water Expedition. First off, the destination is unrivalled when it comes to wildlife spectacle - swimming with playful sea lions and massive schools of mobula rays is an everyday event, and there is ample opportunity to find rarer species like whale sharks, several species of whales and dolphins and - of course - orcas. I did two weeks and on my trip we had multiple days of incredible encounters with orcas, including witnessing them hunt mobula rays in the late afternoon sunlight. Spending time in the water with the ocean's apex predator is an incredible and humbling experience, and I had some of my very best wildlife days on this trip! As an avid wildlife and underwater photographer, I was also able to capture some of my best images ever.
Second, Nadia runs a great operation in all aspects. The team was great at finding the wildlife out there, and very committed to getting us great encounters (going out early, staying out late). But - importantly - always doing so while respecting the animals, letting them dictate the terms of our encounters and never harrassing them. The best encounters are always the ones where the animals show an interest in us humans, and getting those encounters often require an ability to read the animals' behavior and patience (sometimes - a lot of patience).
While these trips are mostly about the wildlife and the quality of the encounters for me, Nadia's set-up in La Ventana is also great - our accommodation was luxurious and very nice to come home to after our long days on the water, and the food was great too. Very important to keep the energy levels up.
In short, it was an incredible experience. I would call it once-in-a-lifetime, but I am going back this year!”
“I’ve been to La Ventana two years now and expect to make it a yearly event. In the two years I’ve been here I’ve experienced mobula ray migrations, Baird’s beaked whales, pilot, humpback, sperm and even been in the water with blue whales. Sea lions, manta rays, shark and thousands of fish but it is the orca that will keep me coming each year.
Last year a pod of six orca stayed in the area for my entire week and each day we were dropped in the water with these apex predators as they passed. Most days they were curious and would stay near our group checking us out as we did them. One pass an orcasw so close I could touch it and I tried but just when it was going to happen the orca would move its tail fin so I couldn’t quite reach. On the next drop in an orca swam in front of me, as a distraction, while the one I had tried to touch swam behind me and gently nudged me with its nostrum (snout) on my fin. If it wasn’t for my insta 360 filming in front and behind me I would never have know I was playing tag with the apex creature in the ocean. My greatest experience with a wild animal. I’ll always come back to La Ventana!”
“Going on this tour to swim with orcas was truly the realization of a lifelong dream. I still can’t believe how magical the entire experience was. On one of our days out, we encountered nine orcas—nine!!—and had the most surreal in-water encounters I could have ever imagined. Locking eyes with these intelligent, powerful beings in the wild was beyond anything words can express. We were with them them for hours and hours, and even alone, as all the other boats left, but we stayed out until dark!
Over the course of the week, we also got to swim with vast schools of mobula rays, witnessed a pod of sperm whales cruising the deep blue, saw humpback whales breaching in the distance, playful dolphins riding the boat’s wake, and curious sea lions darting through the water beside us.
After the ocean adventures, coming home to the house was heaven. The house was incredible—private, peaceful, and designed for total relaxation. Whether it was soaking in the hot tub under the stars, taking a dip in the pool, or unwinding in the gym with a stretch after long boat days, every detail was perfect. And the food? Absolutely delicious. Every meal was fresh, nourishing, and thoughtfully prepared—like a five-star retreat tucked into this wild corner of Baja.
I can’t thank the team enough for making this dream come true. I’ll carry these memories—and this deep sense of connection to the ocean—with me forever.”
“Baja was amazing! The variety of wild sea life exceeded my expectations, and every day was full of surprises. The house was absolutely beautiful, comfortable, and well-stocked. The crew was full of excellent information about the sea of Cortez and all of it’s resident species, I always love learning new facts about ocean wildlife.
Orca/Fin/blue/humpback/ Bairds beaked whales were all present during our trip, as well as countless dolphins, mobula rays, mantas, marlin, sea lions, turtles and lots of fun small fish on the reefs. Our day with orcas was absolutely wild! Definitely a dream to experience such a powerful display of intelligence, coordination and grace for allowing us to witness and join their hunt.”
“My first jump into the water I was adjusting my vest and weights and sloshing around a bit. When done I looked up to see what looked like a missle shooting towards me. A humpback calf was interested in me and was coming straight at me. When it was within inches it turned to the side, tucked in its fins so not to hurt me, and coasted by me with a baseball sized eye looking into my eyes as it passed. Amazed I stay still in the water watching the new born swim away when the cow swam underneath me, maybe 40 feet long and following the calf closely. Then the two banked back my direction and came back for a second pass. One of the greatest experiences of my life and that was my first time in the water!”
“What an amazing adventure! I got SO close to this inquisitive and playful whale calf and we stayed there for over an hour!
We had 4 great days of whale encounters, and on the less spectacular day, when the seas got rougher, or when we were just fulfilled with our whale swims, our guys took us to a great reef to snorkel or to a deserted island to just chill. There was another group that was younger and they encountered a competition pod, so a group would jump in the water, watch them pass, get back in the boat to be taken ahead of the pod, then another group would jump in. They can accomodate whatever the group wants..we were more into more sedate encounters, including one with a singing male whose song caused reverberations in my chest!
I would absolutely encourage you to get the four passenger trip...there was no waiting for our turn to get in the water, unless there happened to be another boat wanting a turn, but we left very early and were the first ones to find the whales, so that by noon most every day we were ready to come back and explore the island. Ali and Ili were awesome at finding whales and making sure we had the best experience. The boat was comfortable and quick and so much better than my experience in the Silver Banks off the Dominican Republic.
The people of Tonga were so friendly and I really enjoyed going to Catholic Mass on Sunday and hearing the Tongan choir!
Our accomodations were very comfortable and private, and we even had our own sow and piglets using our carport to rest. Bob picked us up at the airport and made sure we knew our way around Vava'u, reminding us that they drove on the other side of the road....did I mention we had use of a car while we were there?! We had breakfast cooked for us each morning before we left, in addition to daily housekeeping service.
I am so glad I decided to make this trip! My photos weren't great but the memories were awesome!!
I would definitely encourage you to tack on a few days in Fiji on the way back, because our layover at the small Fiji airport was like 9 hours long and there wasn't much to do...I didn't want to have to cart all my luggage with me, hoping to find a place to get a massage, though planning ahead it probably wouldn't have been too difficult.
The experience was phenomenal and Nadia and everyone on her team was so helpful!”
“My recent humpback whale swim experience in Vava'u, Tonga, was nothing short of magical. Staying at Mystic Sands added a peaceful and picturesque backdrop to the entire adventure. From the moment I arrived, the warmth and hospitality of the resort staff made me feel like I was among family. They went out of their way to ensure every aspect of my stay was comfortable, from the beautifully maintained beachfront accommodations to helping me relax and enjoy the stunning views of the ocean right from my doorstep. But the real highlight, of course, was the whale swimming. The boat staff were absolute professionals—knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly passionate about the whales. Each day on the water felt like a dream, surrounded by the beauty of the ocean and, of course, the breathtaking encounters with these gentle giants. The crew made sure that everything was smooth and safe, from briefing us on the protocols to guiding us into the water at just the right moments. Their expertise added so much to the experience, and they seemed to genuinely love sharing their knowledge with us. What truly stood out was the impeccable organization by Nadia. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone so on top of things! She handled every little detail of the trip, from booking to making sure we were all well-informed, with a level of efficiency that is honestly awe-inspiring. It seemed like every time I had a question, Nadia had an answer for me within 10 seconds—no exaggeration! She made the entire process seamless and stress-free, which allowed me to fully enjoy the magic of the experience. Her passion for what she does shines through in every interaction, and it made such a difference knowing I was in such capable hands. The combination of the incredible whale encounters, the wonderful staff at Mystic Sands, the boat crew, and Nadia’s flawless organization made this trip one for the books. I’ll carry the memories of swimming with the humpbacks with me forever and would highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure in Tonga!”
“I had the most amazing time on this trip. The crew took great care of me and they thought of everything I needed to have a great experience. It surpassed all of my expectations and I highly recommend this team.”
“This is a thoroughly professional, very thoughtful and ethical whale swimming operation. For photographers, as well as for whale enthusiast and conservationists who want to see whales in their native environment, Humpback Swims offers the best of everything that is available.
I have swum with whales four different times including in the Atlantic off the Dominican Republic. This is my second time with Humpback Swims. I’ve been with another operator in Tonga. Humpback Swims consistently cultivates the best boat captains and the best guides that swim in the water. They have outstanding relations with local service providers and provide a high level of comfort for visitors from around the world.
It’s important to note that this is an authentic South Pacific, relatively undeveloped country experience. There are important, real world considerations for safety, equipment, food, and availability of first world comforts. Visitors to this small island in a small, impoverished country will not find the same comfort inconveniences that they find in western Europe or the United States. It is important to reset your expectations accordingly. There simply isn’t bandwith or material availability of resources to deliver the same experience that you might have at a resort in the US or Mexico.”
“Humpback swims provides again!!! This was my second trip to Vava’u with HS, and I am confident in saying that this time was even better than the first! So many INSANE whale encounters, really amazing human connections, and I’m perpetually enamored with the warmth and generosity of the Tongan people. Everything about these trips is fulfilling, and Tonga feels like a piece of home now. I believe that humpback swims truly cares to make the individual experience a complete one. Every base is covered, they are prepared, organized, thoughtful with group matching, and above all, FUN. I can’t wait to return!!!”
“This has been the trip of a lifetime. Being with the whales in the water is not just a dream come true, it has been a life altering experience, one I’m still reflecting on.
The arrangements made and the care taken to allow us to make the most of this experience and focus all our energy only on the whales- shows just how much thought Nadia and her team have put into making these experiences possible for her guests. Everything has been taken care of for you down to the smallest details.
Mystic sands was a little piece of paradise and the people there look after you like family. Room is comfortable after a long day out on the water and has everything you need. Peta and her staff are amazing and always check in with you if you need anything. We’ve had some wonderful conversations and I wouldn’t hesitate to come back and stay here again.
I was on a boat called Echo and it is in excellent condition; felt very safe on it in all kinds of weather and jumping off it and getting back on was easy. My skipper and guide- the brothers Ali and Villi are whale whisperers and you can just see how much they love and care for these animals. Their whole approach to making the encounters enjoyable for guests while keeping the whales in high regard (as should always be the case) left me in awe. They have years of experience and I feel like them and the whales are one family.
Oh and the lunches- man they were so good thank you so much Julie!! I’m still thinking of your lemon slice and brownies!
Thank you Nadia for looking after us, for making dreams come true for me and for so many others out there and for allowing us to experience magic.
See you in 2025 🤞🏼🩵🩵🩵🐋🐋”
“My recent trip to Tonga for a humpback whale swim was beyond anything I could have imagined. It wasn’t just about watching whales from a distance—it was an immersive, emotional experience that words can not really explain it. You just have to do it for yourself to understand.
The crew at SDL Expeditions was outstanding! They provided everything needed for a smooth trip, including expert guidance before and during the tour. Great guidance on how to engage with the whales in the water and approach to maximize for max water time. Safety and whale conservation were top priorities, which made me feel both comfortable and responsible during the encounter.
The moment I entered the water, the beauty of the whales was simply overwhelming. Watching a calf frolic beside its mother and witnessing their communication up close gave me an entirely new appreciation for marine life and these whales. The sounds, the movements, and the sheer presence of the whales left me in awe, and at times, I felt like I was part of their world!
What I loved most about this experience was how personal and authentic it felt. The atmosphere was peaceful, respectful, and nothing was rushed. Each interaction with the whales was unique, and the crew's insights into their behaviors made the entire experience even more profound.
I hope to come back again! Nadia, Julie, Bob... thank you so much!”
“Wow, wow, wow! There are truly no words to fully capture this experience. It was the best trip my wife and I have ever taken, and we will definitely be back!
We chose the 8-day whale swim tour, and we’re so glad we did! While we had a few days where the swims weren’t ideal (just as Nadia had prepared us—because it’s nature and whales!), we still had six absolutely unforgettable days with these magnificent creatures. Each day was completely unique. From swimming alongside 20 whales in shallow waters to witnessing a resting mother and calf at the surface—it was beyond incredible. I had no idea how accessible it is to swim and connect with whales in such an intimate way!
We’ve been going to Hawaii every year to whale watch in Maui, but after this, we’re saying goodbye to that tradition. Hello, Tonga!
A huge thank you to Nadia, Julie, Bob, and the amazing team at Mystic Sands, as well as the fantastic boat crew. We can’t say enough good things! We’re already planning our return with our kids and grandkids, ASAP!”
“What an experience. Been thinking about what to write or post since returning home a few weeks ago. Looked at every picture, read every journal entry, and sat with the experience hoping that magical words explaining the experience would come to mind and my fingers could furiously type.
However, with every skim, every read and every moment of silence, all I could do was smile in gratitude knowing that I was able to have a once in a lifetime experience. It's truly out of a dream, and entices joy and child like exuberance.
As far as the nuts and bolts, Nadia is incredible at setting everything up, providing detailed information on where to get insurance, what to pack, being accessible during the trip for questions and help, etc., and the guides she arranges are the best in the world. They knew the better areas to find whales and were jovial and informational the whole time.
If I could add more stars, I would, but 5 is the max. Incredible experience and biggest thanks to Nadia and the team for being so amazing and making it happen.”
“Best trip I have ever taken!! Everything was well organized and planned out, thank you to Nadia and the ENTIRE team that was there to make things run smoothly. Tonga is beautiful and the people are so welcoming. Our bungalow at Ocean Song was clean and private. I did the 5 day swim and had encounters each day with the whales. Trip of a lifetime!!”
“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!”
