A vessel with powerful engines such as the twin Yamaha 150 hp outboards on our vessel, Tropic Bird, allows the skipper to transport you rapidly to whale inhabited waters and to search for the whales with relative ease. However, research does show that noise from outboard engines is associated with changes in whale behaviour when the vessel is in close proximity. This is why we stand off the whales at least 100 metres as per Tonga's national Whale Watch Guidelines, and why our skipper idles and often cuts one or both engines during an encounter with stationary whales. In contrast, whale encounters from a sea kayak are generally less reliable and briefer since its travel speed is comparatively slow. The main advantage of whale watching by paddle craft is that kayaks are relatively unobtrusive and therefore potentially less disruptive to the whales.

The rigid inflatable boat or RIB is for many international operators the vessel of choice for whale watching and snorkeling excursions as it offers a very stable platform. The inflatable pontoons and fibreglass hull render Tropic Bird, our 8.5 metre RIB, lightweight yet seaworthy and extremely comfortable. Combined with twin, 150 horsepower outboard engines, she travels rapidly to prime whale habitat. When the boat is stationary, the pontoons provide a comfortable brace for photographers and a convenient launching platform for snorkelers. The numerous RIB's used by race officials in the recent America's Cup were very similar to our Tropic Bird and manufactured by the same company: Rayglass Boats of Auckland, New Zealand.

Our skipper is a certified first aider and Day Skipper (NZ qualifications), and aims to complete the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard's Boat Master course before the end of 2003.

Manufactured in 1991 in New Zealand by Rayglass Boats, Tropic Bird meets New Zealand safety standards as a commercial vessel for inshore limits. On board, we have the following approved safety equipment: compass, global positioning system, depth sounder, VHF radio, navigation lights, spotlight, epirb, emergency flares, fire extinguisher, oars, horse shoe rescue tube, life vests, bailer and first aid kit.

Tropic Bird has a sturdy boarding ladder and a portable chemical head (toilet). A bimini covers 80% of the deck area providing overhead protection from rain and the tropical sun. Cushioned seating for up to 14 passengers offers excellent views from all seats. The aisles are sufficiently wide to permit passengers to move about the deck. A quality hydrophone connected to a portable speaker system enables everyone to hear the whale song. Snorkelling gear is also available. A portable library contains literature on cetaceans and tropical marine life.

In 1997 the Government of Tonga endorsed a comprehensive set of guidelines for whale watching recommended by local tour operators and government officials in consultation with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme and Whales Alive. Tonga's 1997 Whale Watch Guidelines are currently under review.
 

LINKS International Fund for Animal Welfare:  www.ifaw.org Greenpeace:  www.greenpeace.org.au South Pacific Regional Environment Programme:  www.sprep.org.ws Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society:  www.wdcs.org Whales Alive:  www.whalesalive.org.au

Until research is conducted into the impact of swimming with whales, Whale Discoveries has taken a precautionary approach and has elected to abstain from this activity. It is generally accepted that close human contact with wild animals involves risks to either the animal or the person, or both. The concept of swimming or snorkelling with whales may be intuitively appealing, but the reality is that people who initiate close contact with cetaceans place themselves at risk of injury and may inadvertently cause changes in the whales' behaviour. Whilst strategies may be adopted to minimize the risks, it is important to remember that cetaceans are wild animals and therefore risk cannot be eliminated.

Our crew attend annual whale watch workshops sponsored by Whales Alive and the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and continually update their knowledge of the humpback whale by reading and communicating with researchers. Using audio-visual aids, our trained naturalist guides are capable of interpreting a wide variety of aspects of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) including its anatomy, life cycle, vocalization, motion, habitat, migration, distribution, population, diet, courtship, reproduction and social behaviour.

The humpback whale is the most common whale species found in Tonga's waters. This baleen whale migrates annually from its feeding grounds in the Ross Sea, Antarctica to Tonga's warm, sheltered waters to breed, give birth to and nurture their young until they are strong enough to make the 5,000 km journey south. Other less commonly seen whales in Tonga include the blue whale, bryde's whale, false killer whale, fin whale, melon-headed whale, minke whale, orca (killer whale), pygmy killer whale, sei whale, short finned pilot, sperm whale and several species of beaked whales.

Tonga's whale watch season is June to November, however the most reliable months for whale sightings are late June to October when the whales are courting, giving birth to and nursing their calves.

We cannot guarantee that you will see a whale, but sightings from late June to mid-October are reliable.

Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen in the Vava'u Island Group. The rare green sea turtle breeds in Tonga waters, and is occasionally seen darting amongst coral heads by snorkelers, but is more likely to be spotted on the water's surface in calm conditions. Vigilant snorkelers might even glimpse a manta ray or eagle ray. Vava'u's extensive reefs of sturdy hard coral teem with small, colourful reef fish including clownfish, damselfish, parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and lionfish. Among the invertebrates are anemones, shrimp, feather stars, sea hares and sea horses.

The dorsal fin of the metre-long reef shark is sometimes visible on the water's surface, but snorkelers more often see this common shark on the ocean floor. The more elusive leopard shark inhabits deeper waters. Neither species of shark poses a significant threat to snorkelers if unprovoked. The tiger shark and white tipped oceanic shark are less common. The former tends to inhabit sand gutters along the perimeters of deep channels often in the vicinity of whales, the attraction being their afterbirth and vulnerable newborn calves. This is one of the reasons why we choose not to swim with whales, as the tiger shark has been known to be aggressive towards swimmers.

Commonly seen coastal birds in Tonga include the brown booby, the great frigate bird with its wide wing span and forked tail, herons, noddies and a variety of terns. Less common are the elegant white tailed and the rare red tailed tropic bird generally seen in pairs soaring high above the cliff tops. Land birds seen in Vava'u include the white collared kingfisher, wattled honeyeater, Pacific pigeon, and the many coloured fruit dove.

Tonga's only native mammal is the flying fox or fruit bat seen hanging upside-down in colonies from coastal casuarina trees. Two species of iguana inhabit the islands and may be heard vocalizing to one another.

The Vava'u Island Group comprises a smattering of some 50-odd islands within a 23 km by 25 km radius protected from ocean swell by a semi-circular fringing reef. Thus, a typical 15- to 20-knot trade wind generates only a small wind chop within the island group. On calm days, we venture beyond the fringing reef into open sea and swell. Those who are prone to seasickness are encouraged to let this be known to our crew and to take anti-nausea medication.

Our whale watch tours typically depart at 9:30 a.m. with the full-day tours returning between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. and the half-day tours returning around 1:00 p.m. The amount of time spent motoring varies according to the quantity and quality of whale encounters, the sea conditions and our passengers' preferences and comfort levels. A typical day aboard Tropic Bird would include one to two hour whale watch intervals interspersed with snorkelling, cave visits, refreshments and a shore excursion.

Vava'u is the water sports capital of Tonga. Friendly Islands Kayak, Whale Discoveries' sister company, offers guided sea kayak day tours and multi-day expeditons, harbour kayak rentals and guided mountain bike tours. Their Adventure Week comprises the above activities in addition to either diving or sailing. Contacts for sailing, diving and fishing are available upon request.