Humpback Swims Omdömen 

I looked very hard into which company to travel to Tonga with to fulfil my dream of swimming with humpback whales.
From start to finish Nadia and the crew at Humpback Swims stood out. They were professional, punctual and honest. The planning and preparation advice, the beautiful family and accommodation at Mystic Sands and the boat crew were faultless. I had high expectations and the trip exceeded them in every way. I honestly would recommend Humpback Swims, without hesitation, to anyone and I'm preparing to travel with the company to Dominica in the future. Thank you Nadia and all at Humpback Swims.

I recently traveled with Nadia’s operation and had a very mixed experience.

Positives:

When my bags didn’t arrive, Julie (the local handler seen only once though) stepped in right away and even lent me clothing – a lifesaver (and lucky the sizing worked!).

The lunches were phenomenal, far better than the simple sandwiches other hotels were serving.

The room and general service were good, and the team was helpful in shuttling me around to recover my luggage. (Note nothing is included other than the breakfast, a kayak and that's it. So the shuttle service is a paid service (except Airport pickup and drop-off) given there is nothing to do past 2pm time of return from the whales....keep that in mind. Kayaking the bay and snorkeling basically will take an hour each.

And if you don't read the 53 slide deck sent ahead of time and don't remember something, you are basically told it's on you.

The welcome package was a nice touch, with thoughtful good quality goodies. The $2 bill with “Whales of Tonga” as a tip request was a cute idea.

Negatives:

My bags didn't arrive for 4 days and is apparently a recently common thing with Fiji airlines and many guests experienced this. Not Nadia's fault of course but something to know when booking this. So be sure to pack basic necessities in hand luggage before getting here. I was also unpleasantly surprised to be charged for the "helpful drive around" only at the very end. Yes, it was technically written on one of the two cards in the room, but a simple “pay as you go” model would avoid that confusion or even a simple reminder.

The island ran out of fuel while I was there, so it is normal to charge for it.

Food quality was inconsistent: while packed lunches were excellent (and notably the desserts), and the fish on the dinner menu great, the oil in the curry was poor quality and even made me sick. Salad dressings included sprinkled sugar....strange.. Dinner (very reasonably priced) is at 5pm so if you are non American....not a vacation type of vibe is not possible here as you need to order your dinner in the morning before leaving. Going with the flow is not possible. next door is over priced and not that good.

Crew changes halfway through the trip made tipping uncomfortable and the experience inconsistent. I would have preferred to tip based on service provided, not just an envelope at the end.

Communication was poor around the boat arrangements. Several guests (myself included) were left confused about last-minute changes, only finding out by texting Julie about the reasons and inconsistent with the on site experience. Paying for a private experience and in fact ending on a normal day trip boat 5 days in a row with different people was not great. You can book directly with Beluga Diving Vavau dot com instead.
Seeing people walk on after booking the same day or the day before left us questioning transparency or even the need to go through Nadia and pay for a markup. We even had 7 people on the boat one day instead of 6 and no warning nor appology.

Unfortunately, Nadia’s reputation with local dive shops and local bars was not strong. Each time we mentioned we were diving with her, the reactions we got were consistently awkward, which didn’t leave a good feeling. She no longer goes to Vavau and just brings tourists via her website so don't expect her to be on your trip.

Overall:
There were some really wonderful aspects 1. the whales, Julie and the lunches in particular stand out. But unexpected costs, food issues, lack or poor communication, and a questionable reputation locally made the trip disappointing overall and over priced. I truly wish it had matched the promise.

EVERYThing about this trip was EXCEPTIONAL!! Nadia is the consummate professional and assured that every detail of our humpback whale swim journey was phenomenal. Our boat captain Ali & Whale diver Willi were the Best at maximizing every single moment we had on the water. We felt Very Fortunate to be on their boat exploring the beauty of Vava'u and the whale encounters we had were life-changing. Our accommodations at Ocean Song were wonderful & restful and our housestaff (Stanley & Tassi) got us started every day with a wonderful breakfast and we came back exhausted each day to a welcoming, clean home. Again we could have not asked for a more Wonderful trip, highlighted by the beautiful country, whales & especially our Tongan hosts. Could Not Recommend any Higher, and our Sincere Thanks for Memories we will cherish Forever! Brian Leach & Krista DeRespino

LOOK NO FURTHER! Humpback Swims can't be beat!!
My husband and I began traveling in 1978! Tonga was the 150th country we have explored, so we are quite experienced travelers.
We have budget traveled both alone, and used travel companies with various degrees of satisfaction.
We BOTH agree that Nadia Aly at Humpback Swims has the absolutely, most well organized, efficacious, and rewarding tour we have ever experienced in our 46 years of adventures. Every detail was attended to professionally, with kindness, and to the highest degree of satisfaction. Nadia's staff are some of the hardest working people we've ever met and they are truly proud of their conservation and protection of the humpbacks that visit Tonga waters every year. From the captain of the boat, the in-water guide, and Flying Annie staff, we could not have had a more rewarding experience. As we know, nature is unpredictable. However, the staff labored to find whales every day and we had 3/5 days of unbelievable whale swims. The guides were extremely conscience of the different levels of "snorkeling ability" and accommodated each of us, as needed, with a smile and enthusiasm!!
Flying Annie was quite a pleasant surprise! A cute little B&B that certainly felt like home! Extremely clean, friendly, and the breakfast each morning was fantastic. Beds were very comfortable and wonderful hot showers, too.
If you have ever dreamed of swimming with a humpback whale and her baby, this is the company to book. We highly recommend, without any hesitation, Humpbackswims.com. We honestly feel we got more than our monies worth, and the experience greatly exceeded our expectations as seasoned, senior citizen adventurers. Nadia and her staff are outstanding!!
Ryan & Nanc

Fantastic, once in a lifetime trip that far exceeded expectations. Nadia and her team were outstanding. Nadia was so thoughtful, she had all bases covered to ensure her guests were happy. Any issues, you can trust she would promptly sort out. I would recommend this trip to everyone. We saw so many whales and the whale watch team were experts in their field. Whales were respected and the coordination amongst boats to ensure 4pax in the sea for any one whale was really positive. Vava’u is a remote location but the accommodation (Ocean Song), food and access to amenities were fantastic. Nadia even ensured we had access to a car!! Honestly I couldn’t have wished for a better trip. Thank you and I look forward to booking my next one. Zahra S (July 2024)

I had the privilege of embarking on the Humpback Swims Tour in Vava'u this October, and the experience was nothing short of breathtaking. October seemed like the perfect time, with the weather in our favor, offering us pristine conditions for the swims.

But what truly elevated this tour from being a mere encounter to a treasured memory was the impeccable organization and dedication of Nadia. From the moment I first reached out, she proved to be the epitome of responsiveness. Every question was addressed promptly, every concern allayed swiftly. It was clear that she possessed not only a passion for these magnificent creatures but also a genuine commitment to ensuring that every participant had the best experience possible.

Meeting Nadia in person only solidified my admiration. She seamlessly orchestrated the day-to-day logistics, ensuring that each day went smoothly. Beyond her organizational skills, her warm and welcoming demeanor made every participant feel valued and at ease.

If you're considering a Humpback Swims Tour in Vava'u, do yourself a favor and go with Nadia's group. The enchanting waters of Tonga, the majestic humpbacks, and Nadia's unmatched dedication combine to make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Highly recommended!

Humpback Swims Review

Where do I even begin?
Ah...
If you are on the fence about investing in exploring with Humpback Swims... get off the fence immediately. That is where I begin! Go put your deposit down right now.

This is not just a trip… or a vacation… It is a soul expanding journey into YOU.
Swimming with the Humpbacks is an experience like nothing I have ever imagined.

I highly recommend working with Humpback Swims, ESPECIALLY if it is your first time like it was for me.

Nadia Aly is the brilliant human who curates these journeys. To say she is ALL IN is an understatement. She went above and beyond to make sure that EVERY single person involved was attended to, safe, and made as comfortable and nourished as possible. From transportation, to accommodations, to the meals, to the boats, to the absolutely EPIC guides… this trip was an absolute game changer for me.

Make sure you request Sifa and Simi, they were the crew of the OPA JEAN. They were with us for eight days and they seemed to be even more into it and passionate about it than we were. They were so interested in everything about the whales and were pumped to make sure we were having a blast for the entire 7 hours we were on that boat, every single day. If you can do it for 8 days… do it! I met people who did the five day version and they said they wish they had more time.

We stayed at Mystic Sands for the duration of the Humpback Swim trekking. It was probably the safest place I have ever stayed on a trip in my life. The venue’s crew was beyond attentive. Peta, Mau and the rest of the team were awesome. (I hope I spelled their names properly). The owners came out often to check on us too.

Nadia is a gem and one fantastic master of creating an experience that I will NEVER forget.

I work in nervous system dynamics, emotional navigation and trauma as a coach. I am also a Registered nurse of 31 years with 23 years of Emergency Nursing under my belt and I have to say… I’ve seen a LOT… and this was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

Swimming with the humpback whales of Tonga has been a dream; the interactions are intimate, on nature's terms, and each opportunity is a gift to cherish!
Humpback Swims is a best-in-class operation from logistics, crew expertise and professionalism to knowledgable guidance on any need one might have in a remote place like Tonga.

5 water days - Flying Annie

So hard to find the words to describe the experience, but epic, majestic, magical and breathtaking all come to mind! Our captain and guide were top notch and made sure we had the best experiences with the whales while keeping us safe and knowing our abilities. Nadia came by Mystic Sands every day to check on us and made sure we had dinner plans if it wasn't a bento box day (those bento boxes - OMG! If you're at Mystic Sands, definitely get them!). Swimming in such close proximity to such massive creatures was absolutely incredible, and the small group configuration gives each swimmer such an intimate experience with the whales. We hope to be back soon!

This was one of the most spectacular experiences of my life. I thought it would be good, but it surpassed all expectations. I love the Tongan people's hospitality. Such wonderful, loving people. That same loving attitude extends to their whale residents and you can feel it when you're out swimming with them. I felt a warm, personal connection with the whales. The whales know they are in safe harbors with the Tongan people and their friends. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who's thinking of going. There's no place like it. Thank you Tonga and Humpback Swims for dream like experiences!

Best trip of our entire lives! Nadia runs an extraordinary program! Her team is the finest in Tonga and she has thought of everything. We waited years after putting down our deposit (because of Covid) and the wait was soooo worth it! Even with the 17 hour time difference, Nadia replied right away to my every question. If you are passionate about whales and epic experiences, do not miss the chance to swim with these gentle giants! Their song, gaze, curiosity and playfulness are hypnotic. Memories to last a lifetime! Thank you Nadia.. we will forever cherish our memories with you and your fabulous team.

From beginning to end the experience was outstanding !! Nadia offers great video’s and information to prepare you for the trip, what to expect in Vava’u, Tonga, what to expect on the Whale swim days, information about the boats and how to swim with Whales. This information is truly valuable and leverages the extensive Whale swim and Tonga experience Nadia has. We stayed at Mystic Sands which was awesome, gorgeous place, run by incredibly hospitable, friendly, and professional people. Wonderful experience !! Now what we were there for…. Whales… absolutely incredible encounters !! Our captain and guide were brilliant, friendly, skilled and worked hard to find the Whales and wonderful experiences for us. The weather was a bit rough and windy on some days and this all part of the experience, while Nadia and her team delivered amazing outcomes, they can’t control the weather : ) If you have ever wanted to swim with Humpbacks, then I would highly recommend HumpbackSwims… Nadia and her team are incredible and made sure we were well looked after and had incredible encounters with these amazing, majestic, magical, awesome creatures. Unforgettable experience !!

Humpback swims, is absolutely amazing. Nadia and her team are fantastic. Very knowledgeable, very thorough and took care of everything we needed. I would, without a doubt, book with them again. We stayed at Mystic Sands and could not have been taken care of any better. Anything we needed they were on it. For Nadia and her team to do what they do when traveling halfway around the world and to make things so smooth is Phenomenal. We had originally booked in 2018 for the 2020 slots... Well with Covid shutting everything down we were very concerned about how everything would work out. Nadia stayed in touch and gave updates when anything changed or came up. We finally were able to take the trip this September. The whale swimming experience was so extremely magical and life-changing. After going and seeing the other options of companies and lodgings I am very pleased that we used and stayed with Nadia and the people of Mystic Sands. They have the best boats and guides. I could go on and on about how great our experience was. If you are questioning to book this trip, just do it, you will not regret it..... I would also only ever book with Nadia. She will make sure you have everything you need to have an epic trip!

I just returned from an amazing adventure in Tonga with Nadia and her amazing staff and crew. If feelings can be put into words they would be Amazing, Epic, Life Changing. Made friends and memories for life. Thank you Nadia and I look forward to future adventures with you!!!

I recently had the privilege of embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience: swimming with humpback whales, and I must say, it was absolutely amazing! From the moment I arrived to the day of departure, every aspect of this adventure left me in awe and utter delight. The crew played an instrumental role in making this experience truly exceptional. Their extensive knowledge of humpback whales and their natural habitat was impressive. They provided detailed briefings, ensuring we were well-prepared and informed about safety guidelines and respectful behaviour around these majestic creatures. The accommodation provided during the holiday was great too and the staff was very friendly. My holiday experience of swimming with humpback whales was a remarkable journey! It was an unforgettable adventure! 100% recommended!

If you consider booking this, do not hesitate. It will be something you never forgot! I have traveled and experienced a lot, but nothing compares to this experience🐋

Unreal, amazing, perfect!!!!!

Thank you so much for setting the scene and creating the best circumstances for this experience. Prior to the trip, both the booking process and guidance upon arrival (and support when our plane got canceled and plans changed) was 10/10 and made me feel secure and well prepared. During our stay, everything went smoothly. Staying at Flying Anniemoa was a great experience with good rooms and very open and heartwarming hosts. The boats were spacious with both inside and outside space (good for us that normally gets seasick), and everything just went smoothly in terms of lunches, pick up etc.

BUT, the best part was the crew! Our skipper and our whale guide were AWESOME and truly committed and experienced - providing us with so many unbelievable whaleswims. Also, humpbackswims truly sticks to the regulations of for example not duck diving, keeping a fair distance to the whales etc. And this is just so great to see and support! I felt that everything was done with the whales well-being as the top priority and that is just awesome and so so important. We had so many great encounters and respecting the whales really pays off in some unforgettable experiences. For example, our guide Sifa took the time to let a mom and calf get used to our boat for some time. When showing signs of being ok with us being there, we got in the water and kept a good distance and let them feel safe. Suddenly, the calf and mom came closer all by themselves and it was a truly precious moment with a sleeping mom who trusted us completely and a calf that started to play around us. This is just one example of many unique encounters we had during our trip.
Nadia has been super helpful the whole way in guidance, advice, reminders etc and acted as an awesome host while we were there! Giving us a quick guide to the town etc etc 🙏🏻

I had dreamt of doing this since I was a little girl, and I had a much better experience that I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you to everyone who was part of making our stay and experience a once in a lifetime and one to remember forever. I really hope to be back one day and do it all over! Nothing else compares to being in the water with these gentle and beautiful giants❤️

I can only recommend humpbackswims (and Nadia, I hope to join one of the other SDL tours in the future)🥳

Thank you for this experience - I’ll never forget this trip!!!!!!

This is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences possible. The encounters were both respectful and intimate with the tour guides and operators showing clear respect for the whales, their calves, and knowledge of their behaviors. If you're not a strong snorkeller, I'd advise some practice before the trip both for comfort and cardio keeping up with the whales if you have some on the move - not required, but just allows you to get the most out of your experiences!
The staff at Flying Annie (B&B) were wonderful, made lovely fresh breakfast each morning, and kept the spaces very clean and tidy. The rooms were basic, with AC, and delivered exactly what you need for a trip of this nature. Only advice for travellers is to carry earplugs if you are bothered by the sound of barking dogs or roosters (they seem to be earlier than normal risers...) - I personally just thought it was a nice trade for the sound of trucks and people yelling in the streets.
When it comes to photos and videos, Nadia is an INCREDIBLE resource. She showed me some tips and tricks to take my images to the next level. She also went above and beyond to make dinner reservations on some of the nights in town as well.
All in all, 100000000 stars. Fantastic trip. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

WOW, Just WOW! It doesn't seem real...But it IS! The whale encounters are an experience of a lifetime. With only 4 in the water at a time and some encounters with moms, calves and escorts lasting over an hour...Simply Incredible! We even had a singer!! It's always exciting to hear the whale's song but to be close enough to physically feel it resonate through your body... UNFORGETABLE! As for Nadia... total rockstar! Her attention to detail and knowledge of Tongan logistics are invaluable. She's operated for years on Vava'u securing access to the best resorts, boats, captains and guides. She is very quick to respond to any questions/concerns you might have pre-trip and is always available throughout your stay. Factor in her infectious energy along with the warmth and kindness of the Tongan people, and you can't go wrong. Do not hesitate to book this trip!

I just got back from a wonderful 8 swim day trip in Tonga. This is my third time to Tonga and my best so far. The reason being that I booked with this company. It is very clear to me now that booking with the right company does matter in Vavau. Nadia by far has the best boats in the area, the staff seem to be the best. I don’t day this lightly, as in 2019 and 2018, I went with other companies, and it’s clear that having well trained staff with the whales can make or break your trip. I actually met Nadia as she saved me from a terrible experience in 2019, allowing me a great day of whale swimming. I was so happy, I booked 2021 right away! Of course the tours got pushed, but communication was great and rescheduling was easy!

I had amazing encounters this year, and have already signed up for next year! Thank you!

Do NOT book with this company! The owner kept my 1000$ deposit since covid started, refusing to give it back even after postponing for 3 YEARS! I begged her to give me my money back when covid hit and put me in a really tough financial position (not being able to pay rent and buy decent food) but never got a single dollar back, and didn't even TRY to make a gesture at all (split the apple in half would have been appreciated considering...). This says a lot about her as a person, and I don't think I even need to elaborate... Plenty of other operators with great customer service if you’re looking for a humpback swim, don't let your dream be ruined by a company like this one!