Being in the water alongside a humpback whale is no small thing. To look at a whale and see her looking back at you with knowing, intelligent eyes is an experience you will NEVER forget. It is a privilege that we are very pleased to be able to provide for you. Our trips are unique to Tonga in that they are all inclusive! We cover your housing, boat days and all meals. Local transportation, internet access, etc are all included. Fly into Vava’u and we take care of everything! We arrange transportation to/from the airport to the Tongan Beach Resort, our exclusive and amazing home away from home. Our boats are modern and well maintained and we have never had a mechanical issue while out on the water. We hire the best crews possible and we understand the difference between a nice swim and a great encounter that will result in spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime images.
These trips include five full days on the water to ensure we have as many encounters with the whales as possible. Things like weather, ocean conditions, water clarity and whales are out of our control, but we’ve worked hard on the things we can control to maximize the possibilities and ensure everyone has a great experience. Expect mind blowingly close encounters with moms and curious calves, competition pods, singers and more. We will also visit some spectacular snorkeling locations that are very photogenic.
Whale swimming in Vava’u is carefully managed and regulated, with the Kingdom of Tonga only offering a select number the ability to legally and safely swim with the humpbacks. Our team respects and follows the guidelines set forth to accommodate the best interests of the whales and the sustainability of this industry for years to come. We are extremely fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to swim with the humpbacks, and as such we will ALWAYS respect the rules. While we should encounter whales every day (allowing us the opportunity to swim with them), some days will be more productive than others or have better conditions. This is why as many days as possible on the water is important, especially if you are a photographer, to allow us the most opportunities for a wide variety of encounters. All encounters are done via snorkeling and freediving, meaning SCUBA is not allowed. Most encounters are enjoyed at the surface, though there will be plenty of opportunities to dive down if you are comfortable and get a close look (which is truly spectacular when it happens).
On this 8 day Photography Workshop we will have 5 full days on a boat with whales. As stated we cover everything once you get off the plane. So bring that camera gear, water housing, and bathing suit and let the fun commence! All throughout you will be provided with expert instruction, while out of the water, on how best to capture all the action and interesting gestures and compositions while in the water. And our guides will do everything they can to manage the encounters and get you in the best positions. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune those photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping clients create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops (along with having a good time).
This trip is unique in that it is a wonderful opportunity to bring a spouse if they also love the whales! These workshops are always a mix of photographers at various skill levels and non-photographers who just want to experience the magic.
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