Tonga humpback whale encounters are special and quite unique experiences… They really do rate up there among the best in-water interaction you can have.
Initially I found it all a bit hard to take in as I had never been so close to such big animals before. Quite frankly I was not sure whether I should be scared or not!.
But once you get over the initial shock and awe of being so close to these incredible gentle giants. You start to realize that there are several different types of Tonga humpback whale encounters. As the complex, but utterly beguiling, behavior patterns of these incredible animals becomes clearer.
Seeing and beginning to understand those behavior patterns first-hand is basically what makes Tonga so special. And the pages below try to do justice to those interactions…
Mothers and Calves
The most common whale interactions in Tonga are with humpback mothers & their calves.
They are also the most touching and their close bond will pluck the heartstrings of even the most seasoned observer – Read more…
Escort Whales
Escorts are the mature humpback whales that protect the mothers and their calves.
They run “interference” against the perceived threat and often you don’t know they are there until they suddenly appear – Read more…
Heat Runs
Heat runs are incredible spectacles to behold and they can last for hours.
Initiated by the female when she is ready to mate, up to a dozen males gather to compete for the grand prize – Read more…
Competitive Groups
Competitive groups are when a “challenger” tries to displace an incumbent escort.
Second only to Heat Runs in terms of intensity they are also incredible spectacles to behold as the whales jostle and maneuver – Read more…
Singers
Seeing a “singer” eerily hang motionless and vertical in the water is quite special.
Encounters underwater are amazing as your whole body vibrates from the incredible sound waves they emit – Read more…
Playful Calves
Playful calves are about as dangerous as it gets with humpback encounters in Tonga…
Not that they are inherently dangerous, they have just not developed any spatial awareness yet, but are still big animals – Read more…
Back To: The Complete Guide to the Humpback Whales of Tonga