Tour
Tonga Swim With Humpback Whales (Swimming with Gentle Giants)
Run by Scott Portelli (Wildplanet Expeditions) · 8 days · Up to 6 people · Jul–Sep
About
Seven-night in-water humpback whale photography trip in Vava'u led by Australian wildlife photographer Scott Portelli with marine biologists and licensed Tongan whale guides. Small groups of up to six spend full days on the boat looking for mothers and calves, singers and heat runs, with photography guidance in the water.
What you can photograph
From this listing
Open months
| Month | Presence |
|---|---|
| Jan | Outside the window |
| Feb | Outside the window |
| Mar | Outside the window |
| Apr | Outside the window |
| May | Outside the window |
| Jun | Outside the window |
| Jul | In season |
| Aug | In season |
| Sep | In season |
| Oct | Outside the window |
| Nov | Outside the window |
| Dec | Outside the window |
Light on 15 July
Clear sky
| From | To | Light |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | 06:54 | Night |
| 06:54 | 07:13 | Blue hour |
| 07:13 | 07:40 | Golden hour |
| 07:40 | 08:48 | Soft |
| 08:48 | 11:19 | Medium |
| 11:19 | 14:05 | Harsh |
| 14:05 | 16:36 | Medium |
| 16:36 | 17:44 | Soft |
| 17:44 | 18:11 | Golden hour |
| 18:11 | 18:30 | Blue hour |
| 18:30 | 24:00 | Night |
3.2 hours of golden and soft light.
Light by month
Hours a day
| Month | Golden hour | Soft | Medium | Harsh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0.9 h | 2.1 h | 3.6 h | 6.4 h |
| Feb | 0.9 h | 2.0 h | 3.5 h | 6.2 h |
| Mar | 0.8 h | 2.0 h | 3.6 h | 5.7 h |
| Apr | 0.9 h | 2.0 h | 4.0 h | 4.7 h |
| May | 0.9 h | 2.2 h | 4.7 h | 3.3 h |
| Jun | 0.9 h | 2.3 h | 5.4 h | 2.3 h |
| Jul (window) | 0.9 h | 2.2 h | 5.0 h | 2.8 h |
| Aug (window) | 0.9 h | 2.1 h | 4.2 h | 4.2 h |
| Sep (window) | 0.8 h | 2.0 h | 3.7 h | 5.3 h |
| Oct | 0.9 h | 2.0 h | 3.5 h | 6.0 h |
| Nov | 0.9 h | 2.0 h | 3.6 h | 6.3 h |
| Dec | 0.9 h | 2.1 h | 3.7 h | 6.4 h |
The trip
- Length
- 8 days
- Group size
- Up to 6 people
- Led by
- Scott Portelli
- Route
- Starts and ends in Vava'u
- Language
- English
Route
- Vava'u
What the price covers
- Included
- Not stated
Prices are in the operator's currency. Conversions on the site are approximate and marked ≈. Enquiry form coming soon.
Ethics
- Feeding Unverified
- Baiting Unverified
- Captive Animals Unverified
Green means ShutterAtlas has checked it. Yellow means it has not been checked yet. Red means it happens here.
Light and conditions
Loading today’s light and weather…
Light through the year
Golden hour is when the sun is low, between the horizon and 6° above it: soft, warm light. Times are for the 15th of each month, in Tongatapu time (with summer time where it applies). In-season months are marked.
| Month | Golden hour | Daylight | Sun at noon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning golden hour | Evening golden hour | |||
| Jan | 06:15– | 18:48– | 13h 8m13 h 8 min | 88° |
| Feb | 06:32– | 18:42– | 12h 42m12 h 42 min | 84° |
| Mar | 06:42– | 18:22– | 12h 13m12 h 13 min | 74° |
| Apr | 06:49– | 17:57– | 11h 41m11 h 41 min | 62° |
| May | 06:59– | 17:39– | 11h 15m11 h 15 min | 53° |
| Jun | 07:10– | 17:35– | 11h 1m11 h 1 min | 48° |
| JulIn season | 07:13– | 17:44– | 11h 6m11 h 6 min | 50° |
| AugIn season | 07:00– | 17:55– | 11h 28m11 h 28 min | 57° |
| SepIn season | 06:36– | 18:02– | 11h 58m11 h 58 min | 68° |
| Oct | 06:11– | 18:08– | 12h 30m12 h 30 min | 80° |
| Nov | 05:55– | 18:20– | 12h 59m12 h 59 min | 90° |
| Dec | 05:57– | 18:37– | 13h 15m13 h 15 min | 85° |
Getting there
- Nearest airport
- Unknown
Sources
Imported listing, not yet claimed by the owner · last checked 28 Oct 2026