2026 whale season

As another amazing season comes to an end we would like to give thanks to the guests that joined us, our amazing staff and, of course, the Tongan family of whales that blessed us with incredible experiences.A little context behind this beautiful encounterYou may notice how close the whale and her calf come to our boat. While we always do our best to maintain respectful distances, it's important to remember that we are visitors in their world, and these encounters don't always happen on our terms.In this instance, we did not approach the whale. She made the decision to come closer to us, bringing her baby with her. In my 17 years of experience here in Tonga, I've come to understand that these incredibly intelligent animals are very aware of their surroundings and make their own choices about how they interact with us.Data collected over the years by whale operators supports what many of us have observed: mother whales return to locations where they have previously experienced safe encounters. We have been fortunate to recognise some of these beautiful females returning across multiple seasons.When a whale chooses to approach our boat, we remain calm and avoid unnecessary movement. Attempting to manoeuvre away at that moment can create additional risks for the whale and her calf.We never forget that this is their home, their ocean and their choice. We are simply privileged guests.Respect, patience and allowing the whales to lead will always be at the heart of what we do. #matafonua #sandybeachresort #haapai #tonga #swimwithwhales #dji #familyresort