Tonga

Quick facts

• Tonga is home to the largest population of humpback whales in the South Pacific, with around 20,000 individuals migrating to its warm waters each year from June to October.
• The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands, of which only 36 are inhabited, providing a remote and tranquil environment for swimming with these majestic creatures.
• Tonga was the first Polynesian nation to gain independence, doing so in 1970 after being a British protectorate since the late 19th century.
• The Tongan language has over 100 different words for 'whale,' reflecting the deep cultural significance of these animals in Tongan life and folklore.
• The annual whale watching season in Tonga coincides with the whales' breeding period, allowing visitors to potentially witness mothers and calves swimming together in the pristine waters.

Travel details

Country

Tonga

Wind (now)

10 km/h

Coordinates

-21.1789, -175.1982