Your Whale Watching Skippers

Photo: Scott Portelli 2008

Veni & Sione

Veni has held a boat master's skipper's ticket for over 16 years. His knowledge of local waters and reef structures assures you of a safe and pleasant day.

Sione has held a boat masters skippers ticket for more than 10 years and has been actively involved as a whale watching skipper for over 8 years.

Both our skippers have developed a great report with the whales and have an uncanny way of approaching them.

Your Whale Watching Guides

Photo: Scott Portelli 2008

Your guides have been trained by the local IFAW & Whales Alive representative and ourselves and have an extensive knowledge of whale behaviour. Throughout the day they will conduct both an informative and fun day out with the whales in the wild.

Your guide will accompany you in the water to swim with the whales.

Things to observe when in the water with Whales

1. Please consider the whales - remember we are in their back yard
2. When entering the water don't jump in, just slide in quietly
3. Don't make sudden advances towards the whales
4. Don't dive down to them, instead remain calm and on the surface
5. If the whales decide to move away don't attempt to follow them, instead return to the boat
6. For your safety and the consideration of the whales obey the instructions of your guide at all times.

Your Whale Watching Day Trip

Photo: Scott Portelli 2008

Our trips will begin between 9 and 10am and pick up times vary according to where you are staying.

Both Totally Wild and Maris King will depart from the Hakula Lodge jetty, which is located at the Port of Refuge Harbour and make our way out of the Harbour picking you up along the way then continuing in search of whales in the wild.

We will not have to travel far to see the whales in the wild. Humpback whales like the protected lagoons of Vava'u, which means that within minutes of starting our trip, the opportunity to see whales in the wild is at hand.

Feel free to bring on board your own lunch, snacks or drinks. We may even stop off on one of the islands and have our lunch.

You can have your own package with lunch, drinks and Whales in the Wild T-shirt pre-ordered.

We will make our way home around 4-5pm, depending on the conditions and, of course, the whales.

Throughout the day you will be conducting research by collecting data of the whales and also recording their song. All of which is documented to help in the protection and conservation of Humpback whales.

Humpback whales are wild creatures, so each trip that is made in search of whales in the wild is quite different. When the opportunity arises to observe Humpback whales in the water, there are several aspects which are taken into consideration. The most important aspect of observing whales in the water is the behaviour of the whale itself. Only if the whale is comfortable with our presence do we enter the water.

It is also important that you are proficient in swimming using a snorkel, mask and flippers. There is snorkeling gear available on board both Totally Wild & Maris King and the crew can go through how to use the gear prior to setting off in search of whales in the wild.

For you to get the most out of your experience in the water with Humpback whales, the skippers on board both Totally Wild & Maris King will have to take into account the behaviour of the whales, your confidence in using a snorkel and mask and also on the conditions of the water, before you enter the water. All these precautions are taken to allow for you to have both a safe and memorable experience with whales in the wild.

Your guide will accompany you in the water to swim with the whales.

We hope you will enjoy your day swimming with the Whales in the Wild.