Tonga – Humpback Whale Trip
Rare Freediving Clinic and Photography Coaching in Tonga with Humpback Whales
Join renowned photographer Amos Nachoum along with two of the world’s best freediving instructors, Kirk Krack & Mandy-Rae Cruickshank, who is also a World Record holder. On this adventure we raise the bar on encounters with the Gentle Giants, the Humpback whales. Guests will learnhow to free dive more efficiently as well as better breath holding techniques from the best in the industry. Guests will also learn how to create better images of Big Animals with their new snorkeling/freediving skills.
Location Details
The Kingdom of Tonga, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprises 169 islands, 36 of which are inhabited, and stretches over a distance of 500 miles in a north-south line.
World’s Leading Freediving Instructors
For the first time, this year, I have created a joint project with Kirk and Mandy Rae — who were featured in the movie The Cove and are the world’s leading free-diving instructors. In addition to my photography coaching, they are teaching a free-diving clinic to improve efficiency and develop better breathing — enabling all of us to have more intimate views of these gentle giants. All guests will have an opportunity to work with each instructor — two boats with six people per boat. This soft adventure is limited to twelve guests in order to create an up-close and personal experience for every participating diver.
Taking our cues from the great cetaceans themselves and from my accumulated knowledge of humpback
whale behavior, three guests at a time will slip quietly into the water to dive and photograph the whales.
This expedition will give us a rare, intimate look at the tender moments of nursing mothers and their calves.
Having arrived from antarctica, they give birth among the warm-water and protected reefs. It is a privilege to share their space and to photograph these giant gentle creatures.
Humpback Behavior
The sometimes-violent competing behavior of the mature humpback bulls is witnessed, along with breaching and tail slapping. It is impressive to see the juvenile whales practice breaching as they learn from the adult bulls. The adult bull, usually about forty feet long and forty tons, throws itself almost completely out of the water only to crash back down in a spectacular display of foam and spume to impress its female or scare away its competitors.
At such moments, when time seems to stand still and the modern world is very far away indeed, even the most experienced photographer can forget to point and shoot.
Rustic Blue Lagoon
We are staying on a far-removed island within the atoll of Vava’u, on the edge of a beautiful blue lagoon. Cozy in rustic over-the-water cabins built from driftwood and woven mats, we are hosted by an extraordinary character and colorful storyteller, Feletti, and his wife Mahata. This ‘Robinson Crusoe’ adventure is an unforgettable big animal encounter in a natural setting with all the ‘civilized’ amenities — hot water, towels, healthy hearty meals — and brilliant stars lighting up the night.
In addition, there is ample snorkeling, kayaking, and exploration around adjacent islands.
The Vessels
There are two modern vessels, each 24-feet long, to accommodate the two separate diving teams. The vessels have easy, safe access to the water to make your entry as quiet as possible — with little disturbance to the environment of the whales.
Big Animals Expeditions’ intention is always to honor the animals and their need to live their lives with minimal interference.
Amos Nachoum
Professional photography will be done with Amos Nachoum, who was the BBC wildlife photographer of the year in 2007 and 2008.
He will be coaching individuals on wide-angle and ambient-light photography of big animals.
Amos has twenty years experience diving with humpback whales in Tonga.
Amos’s explorations have been featured on National Geographic, the BBC, and the Discovery Channel. His exclusive travel company, Big Animals Expeditions is intimate diving with the same feel as a high-quality in-depth exploration found in documentaries.
Trip details at a Glance
- Where: Kingdom of Tonga
- Dates Sept 24 – Oct 6
- Duration 13 Days
- Cost $8,000 per person (Double Occupancy)
- Max No. of Guests 12 guests
- Availability Open
- Registration requires a Deposit of $2,700
- Facilities:Accomodation at blue lagoon
- Diving Services: Two 22’ modern whale-watching vessels
- Activities: Snorkeling / Kayaking / Beachcombing
- Temperature: In Water: 72-76°F; Air: 72-80° F Windy at times!
- U/W Visibility: 60 – 100 ft
To book your spot please contact Amos at:
Email: amos@biganimals.com Phone: 415-923-9865 Website: www.biganimals.com
