Humpback SwimsReviews of humpbackswims.com

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