2026 Tonga

Whale Journeys 

Our 2026 Whale Journeys are 

available from July 1 to October 15 2026

Organise your own group of up to 8 people during July or August and recieve a 10% discount or check out our September whale adventure journeys listed  below

The trips are intended as a deep dive for whale loving adventurers. We include a special umu and Kava celebration, trips to sacred sites, ancient trees and stunning caves.

Our trips take place on Tongatapu and Eua Island (pronounced Eywah) 2.5hrs by boat or 7 minutes by plane from mainland Tongatapu.

Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own return flights to Tonga Tapu the which can range from $750 to $950 depending on when you book.

We will advise the flights to book we need to travel on the same flights in order to meet transport pick ups, if you choose an alternate flight you would need to cover your own airport transfers.

Participants must either organise a group of 8 with travel dates outside of September retreat dates or join one of our journeys. Accomodation is camping only unless our cottage is available (currently booked August/Sept 2026)

The Whale Journeys include

Airport transfers

Tonga Tapu Treehouse camping accommodation *Treehouses can be booked at an extra cost

Visit to standing stones and Anahulu caves

Transfers to Eua Island by Charter boat 

Camping Teepee or own tent accomodation on Eua Island

Transport on Eua Island

All activities including 

Spirit Tree jungle walks

Cave adventure

Mauis Spearhole

Wild Horses

Umu celebration

Quigong

Beach fires

*Evening meals for some trips

2 whale swims

* Some trips include daily meals, all include an Umu and Kava evening

* International Airfares are not included.

 There is a basic camp kitchen with cups, plates, curlery etc. There will be opportunities to purchase groceries and local produce on the mainland before we depart for Eua and there are several small local stores on the island.

2026 WHALE JOURNEY DATES

SEED CAMP September 2nd to 15th  - 14 days

Low priced extended time seed camp for adventurers - This group is for young adventurers who are happy to travel on ferries, carry in and set up teepees, participate in beach clean up, collecting coconuts, share meals and hitchhike around the islands. We are looking for adventurous budget travelers who are happy to go with the flow and participate in evening beach fires and song circles and local community activities like church and Kava circles. (*There is a further discount for a cook and kitchen hand to join us and lead cooking evening meals. Their stay would be for all 3 trips.) By application only.

 For Seed Camp pricing and application email sacredislandwhalejourneys@gmail.com

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SACRED WHALE JOURNEY September 16th to 24th - 9 days with Chelita Zainey, Joydah Mae, Aroha and friends

A sacred deep dive on the ancient island of Eua with Maori healer Chelita Zainey and sound activators Joydah Mae, Aroha and Mirirmiri practitioners. Swim with humpback whales and their young, Visit the ancient Spirit trees, Mauis Spearhole, wild horses and caves. Connect with the ancient knowledge of the whales and the sacred island of Eua. Stay in teepee camping accomodation, eat local food. Join sound activations and fire circles, book a Mirirmiri Maori healing session.

For pricing and schedule email Sacredislandwhalejourneys@gmail.com  or chelita@chelitazainey.com 

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KIDS WHALE ADVENTURE CAMP September 25 to October 3rd - 11 days 

Bring your adventurous kids to the ancient island of Eua, swim with humpback whales, go snorkeling, explore the jungle, swim in river pools, visit ancient trees, wild horses, and sites from the Avatar film, have beach fires, eat a local earth cooked umu, visit the local school. Fish for Tuna on the way to the island. 2 Whale swims included. B.y.o kids lifejackets, snorkels, masks, flippers and reef shoes

For pricing and details for the Kids Whale Adventure Camp please email Sacredislandwhalejourneys@gmail.com

  *Airfares are seperate please message for flight details. We need to go on the same flights in order to meet transport to accomodation and island. Current return flights are approximately $750 -$850nzd

Payment plans available

Trip must be paid in full 4 weeks before departure

Trip is non refundable

Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to weather events and health insurance is highly recommended as well as booking 'flexi fares' in case of travel delays.

You will need a valid passport and to check if you need a visa.

*We would ask that you keep information about the island private, we are working with locals to protect the island and whales and are working towards its sustainable development.

Please feel free to call with any questions. +64 212644622

We have no doubt that this trip will be life changing for all attendees and we will do our utmost to care for everyone so they have a positive experience. That said this is not luxury trip, or quiet retreat - more of a budget adventure on a remote island and a deep dive into the Tongan way of life where you will discover the beauty of the whales, the ancient trees and Eua island.

The beaches can have strong currents and ocean a large swell. This is because the water is up to 2000m deep, hence the whales living there!

All activities undertaken are at your own risk, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer.

Please get in touch asap if you are interested this trip will seĺl out!

We can email pricing, trip schedules and flight schedules, please use the email address or form below.

Can you feel the sacred island calling?

Its time to meet the whales and gather

with your tribe.

Best wishes

Lyndal and Jimmy

Your tour hosts

 + 64 021 2644 622 

Sacredislandwhalejourneys@gmail.com 

The Sacred Island of Eua

Our Whale Journeys are happening on 'Eua Island (pronounced Aywah) Island 2.5hrs by boat from mainland Tonga.

This ancient 40 million year old island was inspiration for the Avatar movies. Yes, the Spirit Tree is there a 1000 year old Strangling Fig tree in fact there are two a grandmother and grandfather tree. The island also features Mauis spearhole a huge hole in the cliffs where wild horses roam. There is an abundance of fresh coconuts and papayas and lots of local produce available. We have a swimmable beach below our campsite however the island can be rocky, there can be strong currents and reef shoes are advised.

The island is undeveloped (no fancy restaurants, cafes or big resorts) where we stay has a lovely campground with share facilities and a small basic cottage, just above the beach.

This is not a luxury island or a luxury retreat. It is a raw deep dive into the beauty of nature and island life and our journeys are for fit, enthusiastic adventurers.

Swimming with Whales

Swim with whales, create lasting memories. 

The Tongan whale 'tribe' has 3000 whales that visit each year. to birth their young and then take them back to Antarctica.

The whales are protected and strict rules apply for swimming with them, however with professional guides we are often able to spend time underwater with the whales who are as equally curious about us and we are about them!

At this time of year we are in Tonga July - October they may have newborns calves with them.  We only swim with the whales in the morning until 2pm so in the afternoons they can rest and feed their young.

Please note all participants in the whale swims need to be able to swim at least 100m in open water using a snorkel, mask and flippers. They must follow instructions from our guides. We cannot touch the whales or dive below the surface at them. These are the international rules. Whales are wild animals and there are no guarantees that they will interact with swimmers. However on our last trip we swum with whales every single time and also saw them regularly from land. Later in the season we also saw many calves.

Snorkel, mask, wetsuits and flippers are provided with the whale swims, however we encourage participants to bring their own well fitting mask and snorkel to ensure the best experience.

Whale swims are $600 Tongan dollars each and 2 whale swims are included in the 2026 pricing.

All Whale Swims must be booked in advance. You can book  extra whale swims if you like however you will miss some excursions if you do more than 3.

For extra swims you will need to bring $600 Tongan dollars cash per swim with you to give to the whale operator or we can organise payment by bank transfer.