Swimming with Whales in Tongatapu

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With small group sizes and flexible itineraries, we promise an intimate and respectful wildlife encounter you'll treasure forever.</div>", "categories": [ { "id": "574d63fc-1c79-48b6-bbfb-674e6d804883", "name": "Water Activities", "slug": "water-activities", "description": "", "icon": "waves", "parent": null }, { "id": "1c0f8f43-1f16-416e-9db4-c051f567f0cf", "name": "Boat Tours & Cruises", "slug": "boat-tours-cruises", "description": "", "icon": "sailboat", "parent": "574d63fc-1c79-48b6-bbfb-674e6d804883" }, { "id": "5e50b55e-0956-4d8b-9e02-f47ab9d7494e", "name": "Snorkel & Scuba", "slug": "snorkel-scuba", "description": "", "icon": "fish", "parent": "574d63fc-1c79-48b6-bbfb-674e6d804883" } ], "tags": [ { "id": "8b070c75-1cef-47c8-bf73-69f160bc442f", "name": "Wildlife", "slug": "wildlife", "icon": "bird" } ], "public_promotions": [], "total_bookmarks": 15, "booking_mode": "standard", "availability_data_is_real": true, "display_price_in_native_currency": false, "display_currency": null, "featured_image_caption": null, "gallery_images": [ { "id": "490e3017-f48b-4da4-bcc4-1b7ba99c56e2", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_5.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming Tongatapu", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming Tongatapu", "order": 1 }, { "id": "c9eadb9a-82d7-4637-8c1a-db3b4f629d5c", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_2.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming Tongatapu", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming Tongatapu", "order": 2 }, { "id": "d87b436f-3484-4056-bdcc-a6fe7ac7fb0c", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_Island.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop", "order": 3 }, { "id": "a23ff436-a15f-49c5-9a5c-149fe6088b67", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_7.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Boat", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Boat", "order": 4 }, { "id": "a4ba48b0-5f59-4a92-b7a4-bea56115c3ca", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_3.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Happy Customers and Team", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Happy Customers and Team", "order": 5 }, { "id": "f1b338cc-bc52-43a9-9a30-209c2af7a145", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/Kingdom_Encounters_Island_1.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Happy Customers and Team", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Island Stop Happy Customers and Team", "order": 6 }, { "id": "640832c8-bfdc-4b7f-851f-165499114931", "image": "https://d2iwhohslm84tu.cloudfront.net/product_gallery/WhatsApp_Image_2025-10-01_at_07.44.23_4fc5d106.jpg", "title": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming", "alt_text": "Kingdom Encounters Whale Swimming", "order": 7 } ], "cancellation_policy": "flexible", "confirmation_type": "instant", "min_people": 1, "max_people": 16, "minimum_age": "10-70", "pickup_available": true, "languages": "English, Tongan", "inclusions": "<ul><li>Snorkelling gear provided</li><li>Life vests included</li><li>Lunch served</li><li>Wetsuits</li><li>7-hour boat tour</li><li>Professional skipper and whale swimming guide</li></ul>", "exclusions": null, "what_to_bring": "<ul><li>Swimwear (it's best to wear underneath your clothes when you arrive)</li><li>Towel</li><li>Reef-Safe Sunscreen</li><li>Hat</li><li>Cash (we accept cash payments at the wharf)</li><li>Waterproof bag</li></ul>", "additional_info": "", "meeting_point": "<div><strong>Departure:</strong> Faua Wharf, Nuku'alofa - 7:30 am arrival and 8 am departure</div><div><strong>Duration:</strong> 7 hours</div><div><strong>Return:</strong> Back to Faua Wharf by late afternoon</div>", "latitude": -21.138825726240917, "longitude": -175.18440339506955, "reviews": [ { "id": "e6ebf551-60ea-4250-aaf0-2832cf6f5ad3", "created_at": "2026-08-29T04:14:25.396328Z", "first_name": "Sue", "last_name": "Rivers", "star_count": "5.0", "review_content": "The spotters were incredible and did an amazing job finding the whales and positioning us for some unforgettable encounters. We were lucky enough to swim with the whales several times, and being in the water with these magnificent creatures was simply breathtaking. We also struck gold with our guide, Diego. He wasn't originally supposed to be on our trip, but we were so fortunate that he was. Diego was supportive, knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He made everyone feel comfortable and helped make an already amazing day even more special. The entire team was professional, friendly, and committed to giving us the best possible experience while respecting the whales and their environment. We can't recommend Kingdom Encounters highly enough. Thank you for a truly unforgettable day.", "verified": true, "response_content": null, "response_created_at": null } ], "review_count": 1, "average_rating": 5, "product_checkout_fields": [ { "id": 284, "name": "Do you have any dietary requirements?", "input_type": "text", "label": "Do you have any dietary requirements?", "help_text": "", "placeholder": "", "order": 0, "required": false, "dictates_booking_time": false, "use_duration_for_end_time": true, "tied_to_addon_name": "", "products": "d45a5e79-1699-4eb1-a314-c10b098dc0f4", "roomTypes": null } ], "schedule": { "monday_open": true, "monday_start": "07:30:00", "monday_end": "15:00:00", "tuesday_open": true, "tuesday_start": "07:30:00", "tuesday_end": "15:00:00", "wednesday_open": true, "wednesday_start": "07:30:00", "wednesday_end": "15:00:00", "thursday_open": true, "thursday_start": "07:30:00", "thursday_end": "15:00:00", "friday_open": true, "friday_start": "07:30:00", "friday_end": "15:00:00", "saturday_open": true, "saturday_start": "07:30:00", "saturday_end": "15:00:00", "sunday_open": false, "sunday_start": "09:00:00", "sunday_end": "17:00:00" }, "addons": [], "variants": [], "people_types": [], "availability_exceptions": [ { "id": "bc2447b0-a4c1-4fdc-b5f7-1fd8f48dcb9d", "exception_type": "closure", "start_date": "2025-10-31", "end_date": "2026-06-30", "modified_hours": null, "modified_capacity": null, "is_recurring": true, "recurring_frequency": "yearly" }, { "id": "c82c0060-912a-4965-83c2-8ade4a77d069", "exception_type": "closure", "start_date": "2026-08-03", "end_date": "2026-08-03", "modified_hours": null, "modified_capacity": null, "is_recurring": false, "recurring_frequency": "yearly" }, { "id": "e6d9fc8b-7394-46fb-b715-e3a554f70eb9", "exception_type": "closure", "start_date": "2026-08-07", "end_date": "2026-08-07", "modified_hours": null, "modified_capacity": null, "is_recurring": false, "recurring_frequency": "yearly" }, { "id": "a7c287b7-5a40-4fa2-aba6-87d4acdeb22d", "exception_type": "closure", "start_date": "2026-08-11", "end_date": "2026-08-11", "modified_hours": null, "modified_capacity": null, "is_recurring": false, "recurring_frequency": "yearly" }, { "id": "e24b2e1e-84b3-4f1c-a61c-4974bd6e20ae", "exception_type": "closure", "start_date": "2026-08-19", "end_date": "2026-08-19", "modified_hours": null, "modified_capacity": null, "is_recurring": false, "recurring_frequency": "yearly" } ], "advanced_pricing": [], "main_island": "Tongatapu", "return_product_info": null, "asset_info": null, "upcoming_departures": null, "route_info": null, "active_promotions": [], "best_seller": true, "top_reviewed": false, "island": "Tonga", "wholesale_price": null, "high_season_price": null, "high_season_start_date": null, "high_season_end_date": null, "duration_type": "fixed", "certify_information_accurate": true, "confirm_tripcarver_commission": true, "booking_duration_minimum": null, "booking_duration_maximum": null, "full_day_booking": false, "mark_as_private": false, "allowed_start_dates": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday" ], "min_days_advanced_reservation": 3, "max_days_advanced_reservation": 366, "check_in_time": "08:00:00", "check_out_time": "16:00:00", "multiply_base_price_by_number_of_people": true, "count_people_as_separate_bookings": true, "last_minute_discount": null, "minimum_number_of_people": 1, "maximum_number_of_people": 16, "extra_price_per_person": null, "buffer_time": 0, "require_confirmation": false, "enable_price_per_people_type": false, "availability_rules": {}, "deposit_percentage": "8", "verify_photo_ownership": true, "ages_allowed": "10-70", "offered_languages": "English, Tongan", "whats_included": "<ul><li>Snorkelling gear provided</li><li>Life vests included</li><li>Lunch served</li><li>Wetsuits</li><li>7-hour boat tour</li><li>Professional skipper and whale swimming guide</li></ul>", "what_to_expect": "<div>Your whale encounter adventure begins bright and early at 7:30 am at Faua Wharf in Nuku'alofa, where our friendly team will greet you for what promises to be an unforgettable day on the water. We'll start by getting you fitted with wetsuits and assigning your snorkelling gear, ensuring everything's comfortable before we set off on our 7-hour journey.<br><br></div><div>Once aboard our boat, we'll head out into Tongatapu's pristine waters in search of these magnificent marine giants. We keep our groups intimate with just 8 swimmers per boat, and when it's time to enter the water, only 4 swimmers go in at once. This approach ensures you have a truly personal experience whilst respecting Tonga's whale swimming regulations.<br><br></div><div>The beauty of our tours lies in their flexibility - we follow the whales' natural behaviour and movements throughout the day. You'll spend most of your time observing these incredible creatures, and when conditions are perfect and safe, you'll have the opportunity to slip into the water for those magical up-close encounters.<br><br></div><div>During the day, we'll take a break at one of Tongatapu's stunning uninhabited islands where we often stop for a 1-hour lunch, including time on the beach and snorkelling, before heading off to find more whale encounters. However, our schedule remains wonderfully flexible - if the whales are particularly active or we've found an exceptional spot for swimming, we might adjust our plans accordingly. This adaptability ensures we make the most of every whale encounter opportunity.<br><br></div><div>Every tour includes your lunch, all snorkelling gear, and life vests, so you can simply focus on enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime experience with some of the ocean's most remarkable creatures.</div>", "departure_and_return": "<div><strong>Departure:</strong> Faua Wharf, Nuku'alofa - 7:30 am arrival and 8 am departure</div><div><strong>Duration:</strong> 7 hours</div><div><strong>Return:</strong> Back to Faua Wharf by late afternoon</div>", "faq": "<div><strong>What time should I arrive at the wharf for my tour?</strong><br>It is best to arrive at 7:30 am for boarding at 8 am. <br><br><strong>What's included in Kingdom Encounters' Swimming with Whales tour?</strong></div><div>Your 7-hour tour includes lunch, snorkelling gear, life vests, and wetsuits. We provide everything you need for an unforgettable day on the water around Tongatapu.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Where do Kingdom Encounters whale tours depart from?</strong></div><div>We depart from Faua Wharf in Nuku'alofa. Meet us at the wharf in the morning where you'll try on wetsuits and collect your snorkelling gear before boarding.<br><br></div><div><strong>How many people can swim with whales at once?</strong></div><div>We limit groups to 4 swimmers in the water at a time for an intimate experience whilst respecting Tonga's whale swimming regulations. Each boat carries up to 8 swimmers total.<br><br></div><div><strong>What happens if conditions aren't suitable for swimming with whales?</strong></div><div>Our tours are flexible depending on whale behaviour and safety conditions. We'll still spend the day whale watching and will stop at one of Tongatapu's uninhabited islands for a 1-hour lunch, swim and beach time.</div>", "pg_review": "", "product_help": null, "featured": false, "cancellation_policy_extra_info": "", "fitness_rating": "3", "fitness_notes": "", "accessibility_rating": "0", "accessibility_notes": "", "highlights": "<ul><li>Swimming with majestic humpback whales</li><li>Small groups of 4 swimmers at a time</li><li>Full day adventure with lunch</li><li>Visit uninhabited Tongatapu islands</li><li>All gear and equipment included</li></ul>", "facilities": [], "itinerary": [], "extra_notes": "<div>Asked to change pin on map to Faua Wharf - confirm this OK with Robin</div>", "all_public_holidays_closed": false, "cruise_extra_information": "", "custom_accordion_item_title": null, "custom_accordion_item_content": "", "display_hours_publicly": false, "allow_single_bookings_once_capacity_is_reached": false, "require_fully_booked_before_next_available": false, "require_minimum_capacity_for_booking_confirmation": false, "minimum_capacity_required_for_booking_confirmation": null, "email_extra_information_to_customer": "", "return_option_available": false, "minimum_duration_for_customer_defined_booking": null, "is_rental_product": false, "rental_inventory_count": null, "rental_unit_label": "", "allow_customer_duration": false, "qr_code": null, "total_booking_count": 108, "total_review_count": 1, "updated_at": "2026-07-13T02:46:39.495993Z", "business": "4b542250-ae4b-48fc-8600-c2d09c4fdcf5", "accommodation": null, "asset": null, "asset_pool": null, "route": null, "return_product": null, "awards": [], "bed_configurations": [], "room_amenities": [], "type": "product" }