Watch & Swim with the Whales (Day Trip)

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No duck diving, free diving, or approaching closer than 5 m is allowed.</li><li>Swimming with whales is a physically demanding activity. Participants must be able to climb back on board via ladder.</li><li>This is a wildlife encounter – nothing is guaranteed, and every day is unique.</li><li>Book multiple days if possible for the best chance of quality encounters (see our other whale swimming products).</li></ul>", "meeting_point": "<div><strong>Departure</strong>: Faua Wharf, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu (we are usually stationed at the shelter with benches)</div><div><strong>Time</strong>: Meet at 8:00 am for 8:30 am departure</div><div><strong>Return</strong>: Around 3:30 pm</div>", "latitude": -21.1388484095302, "longitude": -175.1835379866608, "reviews": [], "review_count": 0, "average_rating": null, "product_checkout_fields": [ { "id": 219, "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": "07a629d7-a623-49f9-aa4e-137f2f015389", "roomTypes": null }, { "id": 220, "name": "Please state your swimming ability", "input_type": "text", "label": "Please state your swimming ability for each guest in your group", "help_text": "", "placeholder": "", "order": 0, "required": true, "dictates_booking_time": false, "use_duration_for_end_time": true, "tied_to_addon_name": null, "products": "07a629d7-a623-49f9-aa4e-137f2f015389", "roomTypes": null }, { "id": 308, "name": "Do you have any medical conditions", "input_type": "text", "label": "Do you have any medical conditions that we need to be aware of?", "help_text": "", "placeholder": "", "order": 0, "required": false, "dictates_booking_time": false, "use_duration_for_end_time": true, "tied_to_addon_name": null, "products": "07a629d7-a623-49f9-aa4e-137f2f015389", "roomTypes": null } ], "schedule": { "monday_open": true, "monday_start": "08:00:00", "monday_end": "15:30:00", "tuesday_open": true, "tuesday_start": "08:00:00", "tuesday_end": "15:30:00", "wednesday_open": true, "wednesday_start": "08:00:00", "wednesday_end": "15:30:00", "thursday_open": true, "thursday_start": "08:00:00", "thursday_end": "15:30:00", "friday_open": true, "friday_start": "08:00:00", "friday_end": "15:30:00", "saturday_open": true, "saturday_start": "08:00:00", "saturday_end": "15:30:00", "sunday_open": false, "sunday_start": "09:00:00", "sunday_end": "17:00:00" }, "addons": [], "variants": [], "people_types": [], "availability_exceptions": [ { "id": "d4527a60-2571-48dc-a537-f4841d80a0c6", "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" } ], "advanced_pricing": [], "main_island": "Tongatapu", "return_product_info": null, "asset_info": null, "upcoming_departures": null, "route_info": null, "active_promotions": [], "best_seller": false, "top_reviewed": false, "product_free_write": "", "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": 2, "max_days_advanced_reservation": 366, "check_in_time": "08:00:00", "check_out_time": "15:30:00", "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": 6, "extra_price_per_person": null, "buffer_time": 0, "require_confirmation": true, "enable_price_per_people_type": false, "availability_rules": {}, "deposit_percentage": "8", "verify_photo_ownership": true, "ages_allowed": "8-99", "offered_languages": "English, Tongan, Tagalog", "whats_included": "<ul><li>7-hour whale swim and watch excursion</li><li>Morning tea with cake or cookies and a hot drink</li><li>Lunch (filled roll, local fruit, and a coconut)</li><li>Water onboard to refill water bottles</li><li>Snorkel gear and wetsuits (short wetsuits and limited long wetsuits)</li><li>Wind-breaker jackets</li><li>Visit to a scenic island, with an optional snorkel stop</li><li>Shared Google link of footage from the day</li></ul>", "what_to_expect": "<div>Meet at Faua Wharf in Nuku’alofa at 8 am for an 8:30 am departure.<br><br>We spend the day searching for humpback whales, with opportunities to swim when the whales are calm and conditions allow. Only four swimmers are permitted in the water at once, always accompanied by a qualified guide.<br><br></div><div>Enjoy morning tea on board, followed by lunch at or near a picturesque island, where you'll have time to relax and enjoy the island.<br><br>Depending on the day’s conditions, there may be time for snorkelling before heading back out to try for one last whale encounter.<br><br>Return to Faua Wharf around 3:30 pm after a day of unforgettable wildlife interactions.</div>", "departure_and_return": "<div><strong>Departure</strong>: Faua Wharf, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu (we are usually stationed at the shelter with benches)</div><div><strong>Time</strong>: Meet at 8:00 am for 8:30 am departure</div><div><strong>Return</strong>: Around 3:30 pm</div>", "faq": "<div><strong>Do I need to be experienced to join?</strong><br> You don’t need to be an expert swimmer, but you must be confident in open water and able to swim with a snorkel and fins. The crew is well-experienced to support swimmers of varying abilities. Note that if you're swimming abilities are limited, this may hinder your chances of joining every swim. For example, if it is a rougher day, this may reduce opportunities for less-experienced swimmers further.<br><br></div><div><strong>Can children join the tour?</strong><br> Children aged 8 and over are welcome if confident in the water. All children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in the water and on board. Please enquire if you have younger guests who would like to join.<br><br></div><div><strong>What happens if the weather is bad?</strong><br> Tours may be shortened or cancelled if the captain deems conditions unsafe. You’ll be offered a spot on another trip or a refund (less your deposit) if rescheduling isn’t possible.<br><br></div><div><strong>Can I join just to watch the whales?</strong><br> Yes! There are often one or two spots available for non-swimmers who just want to watch whales from the boat. Please state if you'd just like to watch in the booking notes on checkout.<br><br></div><div><strong>How long will I spend swimming with the whales?</strong><br> Every day is different – swims may be short or last 20 minutes or more, depending on whale behaviour. We make use of the full day to help you make the most of every whale swim encounter possible.<br><br></div><div><strong>What kind of wetsuits and snorkel gear do you provide?</strong><br> You’ll be fitted with a 2.5 mm shortie wetsuit (or long wetsuit if available), plus mask, snorkel, and fins. You're also welcome to bring your own gear for the best fit.<br><br></div><div><strong>Can I use a full-face mask or freediving fins?</strong><br> No. Full-face masks are not permitted for safety reasons and to comply with Tonga whale swim regulations. Freediving fins are acceptable but note that you are not permitted to freedive with the whales.<br><br></div><div><strong>Are Sundays available?</strong><br> No. Due to Tongan laws and customs, no tours operate on Sundays.<br><br></div><div><strong>Do you offer transfers?</strong><br> No transfers are included, but most accommodations will assist with getting to Faua Wharf. You can also ask us for taxi recommendations (Typically TOP$10 within Nuku'alofa).</div>", "pg_review": "", "product_help": null, "featured": true, "cancellation_policy_extra_info": "", "fitness_rating": "3", "fitness_notes": "<div>Swimming with whales is a physically demanding activity. Participants must be able to climb back on board via ladder multiple times throughout the trip.</div>", "accessibility_rating": "0", "accessibility_notes": "", "highlights": "<ul><li>7-hour whale swim and watch excursion</li><li>Locally owned, fully licensed operator with 10+ years’ experience</li><li>Maximum of two swim groups per trip for more time in the water</li><li>Morning tea and locally sourced lunch included</li><li>Visit and snorkel at a picturesque island stop</li><li>Snorkel gear and wetsuits provided</li><li>Single-use plastic-free boat</li></ul>", "facilities": [], "itinerary": [], "extra_notes": "", "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": 63, "total_review_count": 0, "updated_at": "2025-11-09T19:30:06.270170Z", "business": "6c6c21df-ba5d-4860-bb2a-c2fe230fc152", "accommodation": null, "asset": null, "asset_pool": null, "route": null, "return_product": null, "awards": [], "bed_configurations": [], "room_amenities": [], "type": "product" }