Hi there, I've been operating photo trips to Tonga since 2016, let's see if I can help. I do recommend Vava'u for multiple reasons. Travel is easy: From the US there are direct overnight flights from LAX, SFO and more arriving in Fiji early am, with a direct flight a few hours later into VAV all via Fiji Airways. Easy flights from Sydney and NZ as well. The NAN-VAV flights are only a few days a week, but they are pretty reliable...more so than the domestic flights, and a much simpler proposition. Also, there are more whales so more consistent interactions. Yes, there are more operators, but as long as you go with a good one you won't feel it unless a bad weather day compresses the boats into a much smaller area. For reference, I just had 10 days on the water this August with two groups and we only shared whales on a couple of occasions. The relationships between the captains in Vava'u (again, assuming you're on a good boat) is a good thing, these shared whales were some of the best swims I've EVER had. Think of it in this way...You will leave in the morning looking for whales. Many days you won't be near any other boats. If you aren't having good luck and/or the weather is bad, you may get a shot at some swims by sharing with other boats who are on whales. It's not as busy there as it was pre-covid, for what it's worth. I would much rather maybe have my swims shortened by a few minutes on a bad day than get no whales at all in a slower location. For operators, I can wholeheartedly recommend both Tongan Expeditions and Dolphin Pacific. I'm not sure how many days they run with day trippers (versus groups), but try them both. The best captains and guides in the fleet with dead reliable boats. Probably poor phrasing lol. I would shoot for three days at an absolute minimum, four to five is much better. It's expensive to get there and pretty inexpensive to stay and eat there, so take advantage. For reference, I run trips with 5 water days and this season my first group had 2 great days, 2 good days and 1 ok day (everyone had multiple swims, but short). My second group had 1 all-time incredible day, 2 great days, 1 good day and 1 ok day. On that note, I am biased but I do very much recommend going with a group if you are there for photos. Day trip groups tend to be pretty chaotic and disorganized and impatient in the water. This results in people in your shot, shorter swims with unsettled whales and poor positioning for images. As an example, we had some great swims with a mom and calf this season on the last day of the first group. They started short with mom being very cautious, but as she got more comfortable and we learned what she wanted the swims got longer and the calf got bolder. Fantastic, extended swims with the calf inspecting everyone at close range while mom rested below. Turned them over to another boat I didn't recognize and one of their swimmers was struck by the calf on the first swim. Their day was over hours early and they went back to the harbor. Communication is also key in Tonga, both with the captain and guide as well as the other guests. Some of the boat crews there speak very little english and don't particularly care about people having good swims, much less getting good images. They don't know you and they probably won't trust you to position yourself with the whales. Going with a group, you spend the first day getting used to the process of entering and exiting, helping each other with gear, where to be in the water, how to swim together without being in shots, how the whales behave, etc. By the end of the trip the groups are well oiled machines, working well together and having wonderful encounters. Not to mention closely bonded. You know how it is, surely. I can only speak for myself of course, but my boat crew is consistent every year and like family. We have mutual trust. They trust that my people will know how to swim with the whales properly. What to do, where not to be, how to act, etc because I communicate that to them before we ever get on the boat and we perfect it as we go. They know what my expectations and hopes are as well. Patience with promising whales to develop long, excellent swims for my people. Strong preference for good viz for images. Proper positioning for the whales in relation to the sun. The guide knows who I want them to focus on getting in the perfect position for the image they want on that swim. Etc, etc. I would assume that other groups are handled in the same way. If you're determined to do it solo, I highly recommend reaching out to the two companies listed above. I'm not sure who else to recommend honestly, most operators there work primarily with their housing and/or with groups but I do know there are more than a few operators running day trippers. For housing, if you're with a group it's typically arranged and included. There are bare bones cheapest option trips and higher end all inclusive. Piecing your own trip together and on a budget, the International Hotel right there in town is an easy option. It's not nice and it's loud at night but it has hot water, it's right on the water in town and will be close to the day trip boat launches along that strip. Easy access to the various food options, close to the craft market and little convenience stores, atm and pharmacy. The nice places you may see online tend to be used primarily by groups since it's an extended taxi ride or boat ride just to get to where the boats leave from in the am. The Tongan Beach Resort may be an exception and is where we stay, and they do have two of their own boats they run. They tend to run both with groups, but you might reach out to them and see if they can suggest a window where they're running day trippers and you could jump on. You'll have a better shot if you're talking more last minute, current season. The rooms are fantastic, right on the sand steps from the water. The boats leave right from their dock so there isn't a lot of running around before and after days on the water. The convenience of that little luxury cannot be understated. The food is good, with breakfast before leaving, lunch on the boat and dinner there right on the beach. Be patient when communicating with them, it will likely be slow. It took me literally years to get my groups in there. I feel like I'm being too biased towards groups here...let's see. If you go on your own, eat at the Kraken and the Mango. Bella Vista is good, but make reservations. Make sure you visit the craft fair in town for carvings and tapas and the like. If you get a trip planned, reach out and I'll connect you with the family I use for taxis locally, they are again like family. Sundays are indeed mostly closed, but you'll be able to have meals in town. You might be able to get a taxi to take you to the Tongan Beach Resort above if you want a beach day. Plugs are type 1, I recommend an adapter/converter but people have good luck with just the adapters. Bring your laptop, you'll have lots of images to offload. Declare everything. They will most likely search your bags anyway. Drones are complicated and it may be confiscated at the airport. If you're not leading a group there, DO NOT put photographer as your occupation on the forms when entering. It is true you can't dive down any more with the whales, but I would recommend bring a belt with maybe 4# of weight to get your body down into a better shooting position. As for Tonga vs Moorea. I haven't been to Tahiti, but my guests that have done both almost all prefer Tonga. As a general rule, Tonga takes better care of the whales. Regulations have been in place for 30+ years now. I've seen videos with 20 people in the water at the same time from multiple boats on a mom and calf in Tahiti. That is abhorrent and makes me mad for the whales and sad for the swimmers. Moorea will have more going on. Luxurious resorts, stingrays, sharks, just more to do. If you want well rounded plus luxury, go Tahiti. If you're obsessed with whales and only care about swimming with and photographing whales, go Tonga. Just my opinion...there are poor operators in Tonga and surely wonderful ones in Tahiti. Feel free to ask questions here or via DM, I'm happy to help. Vava'u is a special, special place near and dear to my heart and my time there is always the best part of my life. Lyle PS here are some images all from this past season. All shot with the Sony a7rIV with 16-35gm in a Nauticam housing, 230mm dome, Sea and Sea Internal Correction lens (filter).
How did you find the housing? I get a LOT of terrible reflections bouncing around, there's a new one coming that I'll definitely try. Completely agree about the sharpness at a distance, or lack thereof. Also, you actually have to be mindful of turtles with it, they can be extremely attracted to it. I've had a few try to bite it.
