August 2027 ❋
A Group Adventure to the Kingdom of Tonga
Departures
3rd - 13th of August, 2027
€ 6200 per person
for 10 nights and 5 whale swim days staying at a 4* hotel.
7 spots left
17th - 27th of August, 2027
€ 4800 per person
for 10 nights and 5 whale swim days staying in a cottage
5 spots left
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival
We’ll arrive to Tongatapu, the biggest island in the Kingdom of Tonga. Whether you are flying from Sydney Auckland or Fiji, your tour host will be at the airport, welcoming you. After settling in our cottage or 4* hotel, you’ll be welcomed to join us for dinner if you feel like it.
Day 2 – Culture & Island Rhythm
On our first day in this incredible Kingdom, you’ll have the time to rest in the morning, or join your tour host to sit at a local café, and explore Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Ancient Tonga, where we’ll learn about Tongan culture, history and cooking in an interactive 4-hour cultural tour.
Days 3–5 – Into the Blue
It’s time to head out to the wide Pacific Ocean and look for our giant friends. After waking up early (at 6 am) we’ll get picked up by our incredible local partners, Tanoa Expeditions. We’ll get to enjoy a complimentary hotel breakfast, (on bothe trips) and start heading out around 7:30 am, on our boat reserved just for Beyond Trails & Tales. An incredible crew of three will be looking after us on the boat, while we search for humpbacks.
After spotting them, we’ll always give time to the whales to come closer, and in groups of 4, to abide Tonga’s strict laws, we’ll hop into the water with our snorkels and fins. Each encounter lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes.
A little note: The Beyond Team especially chose to work with Tanoa Expeditions because of their ethical approach to these beautiful creatures. We will ONLY swim with the whales when they choose to interact with us. Please note, the ocean is not a zoo, and no wildlife encounter will ever be guaranteed. Seeing humpbacks does not automatically mean we can swim with them as well. If the whales seem too nervous, or are moving too fast, we will leave them alone. However, the statistics are saying - 80% of the times, we do get a chance to get into the water with them at least once on every boat day.
Around noon, we’ll stop on a small island, enjoy a slow lunch, look for some shells, drink coconuts - and talk about the incredible memories we just made. You’ll also get the chance to try to learn how to climb a coconut tree, and you can also snorkel around in the shallow waters surrounding the island, and look for another incredible creature - leopard shark! (The crew and your tour host will happily guide you).
Depending on how much time we have left, we might search for humpbacks in the afteroon a bit more, before heading back to the wharf at 3 pm.
The afteroons are free - you will be tired from the boat days. But if you feel like it you can always join the movie night, endless talks, games or a restaurant where we’ll always have a reservation, just in case.
Day 6 – Sunday Stillness
Today the Kingdom rests. Nearly everything will be closed, as almost every Tongan goes to church on Sundays. You can relax, go to the beach, have a look around town, or join the Tongans in church if you feel like it. Your tour host will happily guide you.
Days 7–8 – Ocean Encounters
We’ll return to the water, exploring new areas and continuing our search for our giant companions. Our days will be similar to our first three on the boat. Only this time we’ll know our amazing crew better, and be more familiar with the whales as well. Be prepared for endless laughter and jaws still on the floor.
Day 9 – Island Escape
Today we’ll head to Pangaimotu Island - a small island near Tongatapu. We’ll spend the day relaxing, snorkeling and exploring the tiny island. After getting back we’ll have a dinner reservation for everyone who feels up for a nice dinner and talk. Please note, our 9th day also acts as our buffer day for the whale swims - in case because of weather conditions we cannot go out one day - we’ll go today instead.
Day 10 – Discover Tongatapu
After breakfast, around 9 am, we’ll get picked up by our local guides, and we’ll explore Tongatapu by minibus. Expect dramatic cliffs, a cave with a natural pool, which would perfectly fit into a fantasy movie. We’ll also learn a bit more about Tongan history - visiting Captain Cook’s landing site among other historical sites. We’ll have lunch at a café at the end of our tour - and have a walk around the shore one last time reminiscing about all the memories of the last 10 days.
Day 11 – Departure
Depending on the time of your flight, your tour host will guide you to the airport. And of course, you are more than welcome to stay in Tonga on your own a bit more, maybe explore its other islands as well.
Meet your tour host: Patricia
Dear Traveller! I’m Patricia, founder of Beyond Trails & Tales. Travelling was always my biggest passion, which not so slowly turned into my profession. From a young age I always liked to guide my friends and family through different destinations. When leading a trip I always thrive to ensure everyone is feeling safe and most of all, are enjoying themselves. I’m always up for a talk, exchanging funny stories - and I usually don’t hold back with my crazy side. You’ll definitely see me jumping from the top of the boat:) I’m also always up for a fun sidequest - I’m more than happy to watch the sunrise with you, and organize any last-minute idea you might have - like a lunch with a local family in Tonga which happened to be one of the requests I got the last time. (We had heaps of fun even though we didn’t understand a word).
Is this trip for me?
Age group:
3rd - 13th of August - 4* Hotel: 25 - sixtysomethings
17th - 27th of August - Cottage: 18 - fortysomethings
All for adventerous, young souls open for explorations that never slow down
Accommodation style:
3rd - 13th of August - 4* Hotel, with private or shared rooms, pool, complimentary hotel breakfast every day alongside many other amenities.
17th - 27th of August - Cottage, with a fully equipped kitchen, terrace, and rooms shared by two
Physical rating:
Average - however a strong swimming ability is required!
Group size:
Only 7 guests in total and one tour host.
Tonga Cottage
17th - 27th of August, 2027
This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom private cottage is located in the quiet part of Nuku’alofa. There’s plenty of shared spaces, including a nice not so little terrace. You can use the kitchen and the washing machine at any time. Thee common areas are also perfect to do movie nights, play games, and have endless conversations. Each room will be shared by two guests.
4 Star Hotel
3rd - 13th of August, 2027
Tanoa Dateline International Hotel is the nicest hotel in Tongatapu. Each room is equipped with a King bed, which can be converted into two twin beds. There’s multiple pools you can always enjoy, alongside the hotel’s amentities: a gym, yoga classes, and laundry services. And of course, the staff at Tanoa is always there, ready to help. Each room is shared by two guests, with single supplement available.
What is included?
✓ 10 nights of accomodation in a private cottage or 4* hotel
✓ 5 days of whale expeditions on a boat reserved just for Beyond Trails & Tales - with all necessary equipment and lunch provided
✓ A cultural tour
✓ A guided island Tour
✓ Boat charter to a small island, snorkel and kayak rental there
✓Airport transfers both ways
✓ For the Hotel stay - complimentary breakfast buffet every morning
✓ For the Cottage stay - complimentary breakfast on every whale swim day
✓ Full trip support before, and during the adventure by your Trip Host.
What is NOT included?
✗ International flights
✗ Visa fees (with most passports it’s free)
✗ Meals above the ones mentioned
✗ Travel insurance
Reserve your spot with just one click!
Or, send us a message first, we are happy to answer any questions:)
WhatsApp: +36 30 49 999 76
Frequently Asked Questions
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There are direct flights from Sydney, Auckland or Fiji. We are more than happy to assist you with flight tickets or sorting out accommodation - please get in touch with our team.
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No! All whale swim encounters happen with only some fins and a snorkel! Due to local regulations, scuba diving isn’t even allowed with the whales in Tonga. However, knowing how to swim is required. The crew, and your tour host will happily guide you in the water in case you aren’t feeling the most confident in open water.
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Yes - there are nearly no records of humpbacks ever hurting humans or demaging boats - only in cases where humans had the intention to harm these animals. Humpback are incredibly intelligent and gentle at the same time.
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Absolutely no problems! No Beyond trip is a schooll trip - nothing is cumpolsory, you ALWAYS have the option to opt out. Your tour host will be happy to assist you with finding alternative programs should you want that.
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Yes, you can, but only if a parent or guardian comes with you.
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You can reach us anytime via email or WhatsApp. We aim to answer within one business day.
info@beyondtrailsandtales.com+36 30 49 999 76
Hi! I’m Patricia, and THIS is why I created Beyond Trails & Tales…
