Our humpback whale encounters in Tonga were probably one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. Come with us on our journey to the Kingdom of Tonga and meet lovely EJ from EJs Encounters. She shares with us her knowledge about the whales and what can be done to protect them.
While we’re sliding into the water, our heartbeat starts to speed up. We stare into the blue. But as soon as we get a first glimpse of these majestic creatures, the whole world seems to stop for a moment. It feels so unreal! What a privilege to be in their presence 💙😭.
12 passengers, two propellers, zero security - that’s by far the smallest plane we’ve ever been traveling in!
It takes us to the tiny island Ha’apai in the Kingdom of Tonga 🏝👑. From above the clouds we already get a first glimpse of what’s awaiting us: empty beaches, fresh coconuts 😋 and a crystal clear ocean. Only the humpback whales, which are the main reason for our visit, are still hiding. We need a little time to ease into it - no electricity, no reception, no connection to the rest of the world (that's why we post this in retrospect). Collected rainwater for drinking, freshly harvested papayas for breakfast 🍈. Our highlights: The campfire at the beach every evening, sunsets over the ocean and the sandy kisses of our hyperactive island dog "Puppy" 🐶😍.
„And why Tonga?“ - Because these pacific islands are one of the very few places on Earth, where you get the chance to observe whales under water 🐋💙. Every spring humpback whales travel more than 5.000 kilometers from Antarctica to the warm waters around Tonga. That's where they mate, give birth to their calves and raise them, until they are big enough to survive Antarctica's freezing temperatures. A whale calve gains up to 50kg per day, while their mothers don't feed at all here. In the end of summer they travel back South together.
Snorkeling with whales is very strictly regulated here. Encounters should be initiated by the animals. If they don't show any interest in our boat, nobody enters the water.
In the 60s and 70s, humpback whales were hunted to the brink of extinction for their oil and meat. We were told that there were only 32 breeding females left in Tonga. In 1978, the King of Tonga announced it illegal to kill the whales (so did Australia), so 2018 marks their 40st anniversary of not being hunted in this part of the world 🐳🎉.
Getting close and personal with 30 tonnes humpbacks, looking into the eyes of these highly intelligent mammals and watching them interact with us was definitely an experience we’ll never ever forget 🐋😍. We really hope that Tonga’s whale tourism is going to stay as strictly regulated as it is, so that it remains a safe place for the whales to spend the summer and raise their young.
Thanks, EJ for the lovely interview and your enthusiasm and work for the ocean.
Thanks to our guides Carrie & Trav from @mammalswithgills for contributing some of your footage.
Stay curious!
Doris & Matthias
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