Exceeded Expectations I looked very hard into which company…
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.
BL
Brian L.
EVERYThing about this trip was… PHENOMENAL
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
CR
Coral Reef B.
LOOK NO FURTHER
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
ZS
Zoe S.
Fantastic
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)
SU
Susie
Speechless!
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!
TW
Tah W.
Humpback Swims IS AWESOME!!!
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.
Response from Humpback SwimsOct 19, 2023
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are glad you had such an amazing time in Tonga! We hope you can come back out and experience the whales again with us!
AN
Andra
Truly once in a lifetime!
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
AL
ALEXIS
Epic and amazing!!!
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!