2023 & 2024 - Private Charter Experience

Be inspired!

Create your own exclusive live-aboard sailing yacht charter.

Kite surfing, snorkelling, paddle boarding, foiling, swimming, beach walks, village visits, bird watching, volcanoes, dolphin & whale watching. Incredible sunsets, warm water and tropical reefs plentiful.

Whilst we offer charters all year round, Humpback whale watching season generally runs from July to October (inclusive). Tonga experiences a cyclone season usually occuring November to April. There are endless opportunities for activities and water sports in Tonga. Kite surfing, snorkelling, paddle boarding, foiling, swimming, beach walking, village visits, bird watching, exploring volcanoes, dolphins, whales and other marine megafauna watching.

Islands are plentiful and stunning, some uninhabited, others with simple villages. Watch incredible sunsets, enjoy the warm water and explore the plentiful tropical reefs. Create your own exclusive charter with our experienced crew on an ocean going sailing yacht. Film crews and documentary makers welcome.

We take 6 overnight guests, which can stretch to 8 if we deploy the small bunk beds (great for kids). Dream up your own unique remote experience based around your interests, whether that be watersports, whale diving, volcano exploring, birdwatching and more, and we will customise a trip to your tastes.

For those located in Tonga and wishing to do a daysailing trip on Wildlife, we can accomodate 20 day guests. Sail, eat, drink, swim, celebrate a special occasion or just gather with friends to watch the sunset.

 
 

To give you an idea of what you’ll get up to when you come on one of our Private Charter Experiences, we have included two example itineraries below:

 
 

Example itinerary 1:

Exclusive groups of 6 - 8 will enjoy a live-aboard experience specifically designed for you and your group. Whale swimming, photo expeditions, kitesurfing, wing foiling, SUPping, windsurfing, bird watching, exploring volcanoes - we can do it all! For family and friend-group getaways or research and documentary trips, come adventuring through the islands with us and enjoy a combination of any or all of these activities.

These trips can be arranged to have different pickup/drop off locations and the duration is flexible - from 5 days to 2 weeks.

Example itinerary 2:

For a special gathering, why not charter SY Wildlife for the day? Leave everyday worries behind as Wildlife exists the harbour, sails are raised and beautiful islands await.

Create the most memorable birthday, anniversary, snorkelling day trip with friends or work function for up to 20 guests as you enjoy incredible sights, delicious nibbles, a cold drink and a beautiful sunset. 

 

Itineraries are subject to change when consideration of weather conditions and safety are key factors. We operate and respect the guidelines set out by the Tonga whale-watch industry and any guest displaying disrespect for the ocean environment, our crew or other guests will be returned to shore immediately.

 
 

About our vessel Wildlife

Welcome to the live-aboard sailing catamaran experience in the outback of Tonga.

Wildlife is a high performance blue water sailing catamaran. She is a 16.2m Schionning Waterline built of state-of-the-art materials. She is fast, safe, stable and comfortable. This enables us to travel through the very remote parts of Tonga with all the comforts of home and be self-reliant. The vessel was purchased by Tris and Dave in 2012 for the specific purpose of live-aboard whale-swim charters in Tonga. 

Wildlife is powered by brand new 35hp Lombadini Diesel engines in each hull. This pushes her along at a good speed of 7knts, however, when the sails go up, she effortlessly sails at 11 to 20knts! Wildlife has recently been upgraded to run on lithium batteries and with her solar panel array increased she runs completely electric (no generator) making her a very environmentally friendly way to travel. Fresh water is made by a desalinator that runs off one of the main engines providing enough drinking and shower water for all onboard - we never need to rely on finding a water source although we do encourage the conservative use of water and power. There is one shared large bathroom and toilet, conveniently located so it can be accessed from the cockpit. This enables access to the toilet when you have been swimming, with no need to change to get down stairs. Wildlife is a simply designed with bright, clean spaces and runs very efficiently. We love living on-board and the adventures we have together and we’re sure you will too.

Wildlife on-board accommodation and facilities

There are 3 roomy double cabins, each with its own large opening hatch providing natural light and fresh air. The beds are set up as king double but a divider can be added for single share occupancy. 

The large saloon is the indoor living area. Here you will find a comfortable couch area with 2 small tables . A perfect area to chill out and still see the ocean views. The Galley is also located in this space, it is the heart of live-aboard life. 

The cockpit is where everything happens! This is the outdoor entertaining area where all meals are served and most people love to hang in the fresh ocean air. Watch the crew raise and lower sails and navigate. The cockpit is also the action hub, where we get ready for swims and adventures, leading down to the transom steps and into the water. The transom steps allow for safe and easy access to and from the water. 

The deck area provides a perfect vantage point to take photographs or just relax. Cuddle down into a deck bean bag, lay on the foredeck nets and feel the gentle rhythm of the Pacific Ocean. Keep a watch for marine life and gaze seaward as islands slide by. There is plenty of space to recline and enjoy the views. It is a very exclusive way to experience the best of Tonga.  

Wildlife crew and food 

Expeditions include the guidance and expertise of 3 professional crew, a qualified whale swim guide (aka, whale swim addict), a qualified skipper and a chef/deckhand/stewardess. Skipper Dave is your water sport enthusiast, he has sailed, played and worked on the ocean all his life. Dave is a master class skipper with 250k sea miles under his belt, he is an animal lover and has a skill of anticipating what the whales are up to. He keeps the good ship Wildlife running smoothly for the enjoyment and safety of all onboard. Tris Sheen has been swimming and interacting with a variety of marine mega fauna for 32 years, she is a true whale addict and loves analysing their behaviour. Dior Sheen is a self taught videographer and has developed a keen interested in making great food. Taking inspiration from the exotic ingredients found in Tonga, her mother’s cooking and other family and friends creativity, she just loves to serve up something exciting, healthy and modern.

Aboard Wildlife, we take our food seriously! We strive to provide fresh, home-made meals using locally sourced ingredients to maintain a minimal global foot print. We can accommodate all dietary requirements and enjoy serving healthy balanced meals. We provide a set menu, with a variety of tasty dishes carefully planned for your enjoyment and sustenance and we catch all our own fish by sustainable means.