15 Sep 23, 7 Nights
Retreat Highlights
During September the calves are a little older so they can be more playful as-well. The whales are drawn to warmer waters and leave their feeding grounds in Antarctica to mate and birth their calves during the whale season. As their food supply is low in warmer waters, they don't feed at all after leaving Antarctica for about 6 months!
Tonga is one of the most incredible places in the world to swim with humpback whales and everyday is a completely different experience.
One day we could experience a heat run with 10 or more whales, the next we could snorkel with a resting mum and calf, the next we could have a lone male singer calling for a lover with the most beautiful song. Every encounter is always so different which is why we maximise as much time as we can with the whales. We have booked this trip in the middle of peak season, where the waters are warmer, the calves are more confident and playful and the most whales are in the area.
Steph Gabriel
OceanZen Travel is the sister brand to sustainable swimwear brand OceanZen Bikini.
What began 8 years ago as a holiday to Tonga to swim with wild humpback whales expanded into bringing our community with us and whilst Tonga is our O.G retreat destination, we have since hosted retreats to multiple other destinations to experience beautiful marine life.
Yes, all of our trips are available on payment plans. Just ask us!
International flights are not included. The airport you will fly into will be Vava'u - and you can either fly with Fiji airlines via Nadi, Fiji or via Qantas to Tongaputu (Nuku'alofa) and then get a domestic aircraft to Vava'u.
We can assist you with flights.
The retreat arrival day is the 15th September and we will organise for a driver to collect you from the airport in Tonga. It will be highly likely that all the guests will arrive on the same flight
Yes, we can cater to all dietary requirements. Just give us plenty of notice so we can notify the resort.
Yes, we have guests join us with all levels of experience. From learning for the first time to experienced free divers; all levels are welcome. We do encourage coming on this retreat feeling confident in the water though, as we will be in deep water swimming with whales.
Yes, infact all of our guests usually come by themselves. By the first day we are already best friends and all nerves are gone. All the guests coming on this retreat so far are all coming solo