Tonga Humpback Whales &
Fiji Great Astrolabe Reef
Snorkeling Trip
Join This 15 Day Unforgettable Group Snorkeling Adventure
September 12 – 26, 2020
Here is a rare opportunity to snorkel with Humpback Whales in Tonga, one of a few places in the world where this is possible, with the equally exciting chance to explore the Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef of Fiji, one of the largest and unspoiled centers of marine life in the world.
Our partner and friend Ben and his team are running this trip. Based in the U.K., they run amazing group snorkel trips abroad, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world.
This small group Tonga Fiji snorkeling trip (15 snorkelers + guide) is resort based. Most of the snorkeling is accessed by dedicated snorkeling boats from the resorts, and your down time can be spent on beautiful beaches or relaxing in your own private spacious room.
Where Are Tonga & Fiji?
Tonga and Fiji are located in the South Pacific, west of Australia, and south of Samoa.
The Kingdom of Tonga is the only Pacific nation that has never lost its indigenous government. Captain Cook named Tonga "The Friendly Islands," because of the gentle nature of the populous of these 171 beautiful islands. You will be flying into the international airport on the island of Vava'u.
The Republic Of Fiji consists of 330 islands. Kadavu Island - the fourth largest island in Fiji - is your destination which is a short domestic flight from Fiji's international airport on the island of Nadi.
Snorkeling with Humpback Whales from The Tongan Beach Resort
The Tongan Beach Resort is on the island of ‘Utungake, a short drive over a bridge from Vava'u, in the northern reaches of the country, and it's perfectly placed for an amazing Humpback Whale snorkeling experience. While the whales can often be seen in the waters directly in front of the resort, you will be going out for four full days on boats to interact with the whales. Each year between July and October whales complete their migration to the warmer tropical waters of Tonga to give birth to their calves and to perform courtship. The timing of the trip coincides perfectly with the whales’ arrival.
Your Tonga snorkeling trip includes five days of boat charters, four swimming with the whales and one day of reef snorkeling. There are stringent rules that must be followed when snorkeling with whales. Only four people and a licensed guide can be in the water with the whales at any one time. There will be a rotating system used which fairly gives everybody the same opportunity, time and experience with the whales.
What Is The Tongan Beach Resort Like?
You will have seven nights at the resort, which sits directly on the beachfront with 12 guest rooms overlooking the sea and only feet away from the water’s edge. All rooms are equipped with ceiling fans and separate bathrooms with hot water and other room amenities.
Guests can enjoy a full breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the dining room and the resort is easily able to accommodate special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on.
Life runs along at a slow and informal pace in Tonga. Pigs and chickens roam the streets and rugged and low-key villages are peppered among the palm trees and beaches. Despite the lack of luxury hotels, the gorgeous beaches and very warm nature of the local people make you feel incredibly welcome.
The day of the sabbath in Tonga is still observed and on Sundays much of the island shuts down, prohibiting the use of motorized vehicles and most facilities. You will make the most of the Sunday after you arrive by easing into Tongan life by relaxing on the beach and using the excuse to snorkel the house reef off this island paradise.
What Will Snorkeling from the Matava Eco- Resort in Fiji Be Like?
After a short flight to Fiji from Tonga, you will arrive and stay at the Matava Eco-Resort on Kadavu island. The island has just one town and a handful of roads which makes it the perfect base to relax and explore unspoiled landscapes and uncrowded snorkel spots.
Kadavu Island is
surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef, which is one of the largest
barrier reefs in the world. Five days with two boat trips per day is included in your Fiji snorkeling trip. The sites range from tranquil coral gardens to
more adventurous snorkel spots in the Barrier Reef Passageways where you
can see white-tip and grey reef sharks, schooling jacks, barracuda,
surgeonfish and giant groupers. There are good opportunities for
snorkeling with manta rays at Manta Reef.
Topside there are rainforest treks, bird watching, and sea kayak trips to enjoy.
What Is the Resort Like?
Matava is a true eco-resort deriving its power and hot water from solar energy. An extensive organic farm supplies the restaurant daily with fresh fruit and vegetables and even honey from the garden apiary.
Your group will be staying seven nights in one of 10 oceanview bures that are within a few steps of the ocean and are made in traditional thatched Fijian style and finished with polished timber floors. All the bures have private bathrooms, air conditioning, fans, hot water and are surrounded by the nature of a tropical island.
Your trip includes a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the dining room and the resort is easily able to accommodate special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on.
Trip Details & How to Sign Up
This is a small group trip and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Dates:September 12 – 26, 2020 - Trip full, but you can be on a waitlist.
Price:
$6,350 US per person (based on a twin/double share)
Individual travelers - Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- 14 nights accommodation and full board (all meals)
- Services of boat charter for five days in Tonga (four days whale swimming + one day reef snorkeling)
- Services of a licensed whale swim guide throughout Tonga (one guide per four snorkelers)
- Five days, two times per day snorkeling boat trips in Fiji
- Entrance fees & Marine park fees
- Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava Ceremony
- On land transportation
Exclusions:
- International flights and domestic flights
- Snorkel equipment
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
- Spa services
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen & Nicole from Tropicalsnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben's team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your
interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full
details.
More About Ben & Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have around twenty years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 that used to be primarily diving. He started offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our
experience going on one of his snorkeling trips we found it very well
organized, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling
groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides' years of
experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All
of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio
of snorkelers to guides. And for where they visit, and how packed they
are with experiences, they are affordable.
His company is licensed and insured. They have never cancelled a trip, and all funds are held in a trust until the trip is completed giving you 100% financial security if they or any of their suppliers go out of business before the trip happens.
Learn More About The Resorts
Matava... Fiji Untouched Resort