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Swimming with majestic humpback whales

Tonga

Off the path of cruise lines, this South Pacific archipelago of more than 170 islands is awash with marine-rich waters, coral reefs and crystal-clear lagoons.

Overview

A totally immersive experience

Tonga is one of the few places in the world where one can swim with whales. Every year, hundreds of female humpback whales journey from the frigid waters of Antarctica to shelter in the tropical reef-protected waters and give birth to their young. The waters are also a delight for snorkelers, rife with coral reefs and brilliant fish. On land, we’ll stroll through a vast botanical garden brimming with exotic native flowers and trees.

The last Polynesian monarchy, Tonga has never been colonized, leaving Tongan traditions and culture intact. Learn about ancient handicrafts, such as mat weaving and wood carving, and meet with local residents. This adventure is not your ordinary South Pacific vacation!

Dates

July 15–22, 2027

Duration

8 days

Price

From $10,295 per person

Trip size

16 participants
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Steve Palumbi

Oceans and Biology

Professor Palumbi has worked extensively on the biology and evolution of marine organisms, focusing on basic evolutionary questions but also on practical solutions to questions about how to preserve and protect the diverse life in the sea.

Learn more about Steve

Steve has the gift of being both light-hearted and funny while delivering an extremely knowledgeable and comprehensive lecture about a wide range of topics.”

—Liz McKay Stern, ’86

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

With Vava’u as our homebase, snorkel among coral reefs with brightly hued fish and open-water swim with southern humpback whales and their calves. Take in the white sand beaches and verdant hills that shelter rare plants and native birds. Throughout our visit, we meet with Tongans who share their cultural traditions and discuss life in this kingdom that is home to more than 170 islands.

Note: Our itinerary is entirely dependent upon weather and sea conditions. As with all wildlife sightings, interaction levels may vary greatly each day. Whales make the choice whether to interact with us and to what level. We will follow guidelines closely and observe respectfully.

  • Vava’u, Tonga

    Arrive at Vava’u International Airport and transfer to our resort, which will be our home for the next seven nights. Meet fellow travelers this evening during a welcome reception and dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Lunch and dinner
  • to

    Vava’u

    Begin our search for the humpback whales who have ventured here from Antarctica. Swim among these gentle giants, hear their beautiful singing, see their full-body breaching, and watch as a group of males chases a female or as a mother gently tends to her calf. Each day, return to our resort for a special experience—a dinner of local Tongan cuisine prepared in a traditional underground oven called an umu. We are joined by a local Peace Corps teacher and a speaker from the Vava’u Environment Protection Association for a discussion on conservation efforts in Tonga.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vava’u

    Tonga is a churchgoing nation, and Sunday is a sacred day, when almost everything closes. Beautifully clear harmonies, the ringing of church bells and the rhythmic beat of the lali (wooden drums) are all familiar sounds drifting on the tropical breezes. Attend an optional church service and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vava’u

    Enjoy another day out on the water in search of the humpback whales that shelter in the tropical reef-protected waters of Tonga after their long journey from the Southern Ocean.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vava’u

    Venture to the ’Ene’io Botanical Garden, a 22-acre garden has been the lifetime commitment of Haniteli Fa’anunu, Tonga’s former director of agriculture. Stroll through the garden and learn about the history and folklore of many of the plants. Then watch cultural demonstrations of the ancient Polynesians’ way of life and learn about tapa cloth (made from tree bark), mat-weaving, and other crafts. Later, we visit Heilala Vanilla to learn how vanilla beans are grown, hand-pollinated, and sourced.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vava’u

    Spend today snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Clouds Reef and Coral Garden among the brilliantly colored coral reefs and the exotic reef fish that are their denizens. Tonight, celebrate our adventure with a farewell reception and dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Tongan Beach Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vava’u / Home

    Following breakfast, opt to venture to the craft market in nearby Neiafu. Return to the hotel for a late check out and lunch before transferring to the airport to begin the journey home.

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

About our Accommodations

Tongan Beach Resort has single and double kayaks available for guests’ use. Between taking a dip and snorkeling, travelers can sit back and enjoy the resort’s sun loungers, dotted along the water’s edge.

We have traveled around the world to see and do so many amazing things. I can say unreservedly that being in the water so close to these gentle giants and to not only hear but feel my body reverberate with whale song will be impossible to top.”

—Leif Gregory

Activity Level

We consider this to be a strenuous program. Participants must be physically fit, active, and in good health. All participants must be able to swim unassisted in open water as a group following the guide’s instructions. Boarding the excursion vessel from land, one steps aboard from a shoreside dock; when boarding from the water, one must climb into the boat using a ladder without assistance, sometimes in rough water conditions. Boat rides may be bumpy and jarring at times as the prevailing southeast trade winds occur this time of year. One must be comfortable being on a boat for a day’s excursion in search of humpback whales. During land excursions you must be able to walk moderate distances unaided along sandy beaches and sometimes over rough terrain, including uneven and sandy trails.

Activities include swimming in open water, snorkeling, intertidal exploration, beachcombing, water cave exploration, kayaking, whale watching, exploring by motorized boat, walking through forests, and cultural activities. July is considered winter, which tends to be a dry, cool time of year. Temperatures should be relatively pleasant, with daytime highs in the 70s F and cooler nighttime temperatures in the low 60s. We could experience the occasional Antarctic-driven cold front combined with trade winds and need to be prepared for cooler temperatures while whale watching.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Price

Double occupancy:
$10,295 per person

Single occupancy:
$11,595 per person

Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $450 per person.

What’s included?

  • Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including an education resource list and travel information

  • Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

  • Meals, tours, and excursions as described in the itinerary

  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, boat crew, and hotel staff for all group activities

  • 7 nights of best-available hotel accommodations

  • Group transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days

  • Minimal medical, accident, and evacuation coverage 

You are responsible for your personal travel expenses, including flights to and from the program.

Deposits, payments, and cancellations

A $2,500-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 150 days prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee, until 150 days prior to program start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and we resell your place(s), in which case a $2,500-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Join us in Tonga

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