About the boat
Wildlife is a beautiful sailing catamaran built for performance and comfort. She sails comfortably and fast.
She has three guest cabins with king-size beds, hatches for fresh air, and a small fan. Swim towels and fresh shower towels will be provided.
She has two lovely living spaces: the outside area (cockpit) for hanging out, reading, after-swim chilling and dining. Most importantly, it's also where you'll get ready for all water activities.
The inside saloon area is a dry-only area with a nice couch to get comfy on.
The galley is upstairs and quite large, where our chef will be providing all your delicious meals.
Wildlife has a desalination plant to make water from the ocean. We have a good supply of water, but it is very important to be conservative; one lovely hot shower at the end of each day for each person is ideal. The head (shower and toilet) is upstairs and pretty simple.
The deck area is the best place to see and capture everything: islands, volcanoes, whales, an epic sunset, flying fish. You never know what you’ll see, so grab a beanbag and relax!
Whales and our ethics
The Kingdom of Tonga is a breeding ground for Humpback whales. During the winter months, July through to October, the waters of Tonga are home to many whales. They are here to mate and give birth in the safe, warm waters of the islands.
At Whale Discoveries, we believe in minimising our impact on the world around us and the creatures that call it home. We have a huge respect for the ocean and environment, and that strongly influences our operations.
When it comes to interacting with whales we want to be respectful and create a positive experience for us and them. We like to take it slow, assess the whales and approach them non-intrusively; if they aren’t displaying an interest in us, we will leave them be. We strive for mutual interactions and to leave them the way we found them, swimming happily!
Whale swimming is regulated by the Ministry of Tourism in Tonga, and we strictly adhere to the rules and regulations; some of these include;
Seven hours a day to interact and swim with whales
We are permitted ninety minutes to spend with mum and calf pairs
No freediving is permitted when swimming with whales
We respect the guidelines set out by the Tonga whale swimming industry and aim to create a team-minded experience. Any guest displaying disrespect towards the whales, our crew or other guests will not be permitted to continue whale swimming or may be asked to disembark the boat.
Food
On our liveaboard charters, we take pride in our food and will provide three healthy, delicious meals a day as well as morning and afternoon tea. We use fresh, local produce and do our best to provide fresh fish by catching our own fish as we go.
We can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements; just let us know ahead of time.
The Crew
Dior is our resident whale addicted guide and photographer. Raised by fellow whale addicts Dave and Tris, Dior learned from an early age a deep understanding and respect for the ocean. Having grown up in Tonga, Dior started swimming with whales at the age of seven, and from then on she was hooked. All the subsequent time with Humpbacks has given Dior an understanding of their behaviour that endeavours to deliver the very best whale swim experience for you.
Dior
Whale Guide
Sam grew up in New Zealand, farming, fishing and taking to the water as a commercial diver, spearfisherman, sailor and great captain. He is a skilled ocean man, whale enthusiast and keen adventurer. As captain and owner of Whale Discoveries and his contentment on the ocean, Sam provides a comfortable, safe and fun vibe onboard the boat.
Sam
Captain