The Story of Whale Discoveries

Whale Discoveries was established in 1992 and was run from a day-trip boat in Vava’u (northern Tonga) until it began its journey in 2010 with the Sheen family.

Dave, Tris and their kids, Kai and Dior, had flown from their homeland of Australia to buy a boat in New York and sail across the Pacific, ending up in Tonga, where they fell in love with sailing the islands and swimming with whales. They bought the business and operated as a family for eighteen years, starting out by running a day-trip boat in Vava’u before moving to Ha’apai (the middle island group where it is based now) until they bought Wildlife and sailed her up from New Zealand in 2012. Wildlife was bought specifically for the purpose of whale swimming live-aboard charters. The whole family was involved in operating the business, with them covering all the tasks involved with full-time living, working and playing on the sea.

Wildlife anchored in front of the Beach Barn

The Sheen’s built a house on one of the remote islands where they based themselves for eight years, had many animals and even ran accommodation for a while, as well as whale-swimming tours. Dave and Tris lead the way as passionate and capable ocean people with their skills in and on the water; they worked hard to create a life full of adventure. Dave is a natural-born wave rider, well-accomplished windsurfer, sailor, surfer and amazing captain for over thirty years. Tris is an amazing artist, animal enthusiast and also a natural-born water woman who has spent over eighteen years swimming with whales. Kai and Dior started young and, like their parents, took to freediving, spearfishing, sailing, cooking, animal loving, and island adventuring, using their skills to make a living guiding people into this ocean world.

When Dior met Sam, it was perfect timing; They were ready to step in, and Dave and Tris were ready to step away. Sam bought the business, and together, he and Dior run Whale Discoveries in Tonga, living and sailing Wildlife in New Zealand in the off-season.

“We are so lucky to engage with this blue planet for such a short and precious time - don’t wait, live!”