Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling in Ha'apai

This journey of discovery with veteran Trip Leader Jon Imhoof brings us to the remote world of Tonga’s enchanting Ha’apai Islands, a far-flung South Pacific outpost of glorious tropical isles that offer heavenly sea kayaking, snorkeling in crystalline waters, and spectacular encounters with the humpback whales who migrate here from Antarctica each year to court, mate, and give birth to their young. From a sailing catamaran, we search for the whales, hoping to see fantastic displays of breaching, spyhopping, mother-calf interactions, and other behaviors, and even have the chance to actually get into the water and swim with them—the experience of a lifetime! And as we island-hop in our kayaks, we enjoy a wonderful sense of timelessness (we won’t need our watches), fabulous snorkeling over colorful reefs teeming with fish, and visits to local villages where we are warmly welcomed with time-honored hospitality and traditional Polynesian ‘umu feasts (the islanders of Ha’apai are the friendliest in the Tongan kingdom!). Throughout our journey, we learn about the natural and cultural history of this South Seas paradise and gain an appreciation for the skills of the legendary Polynesian navigators who once plied the waters of the greatest ocean on earth.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-5
Foa Island / Whale Watching and Swimming

From Nukualofa, capital of Tonga, we fly to the isolated Ha’apai Island group and settle into our comfortable lodge on a private beach. Each day we set out by sailing catamaran in search of humpback whales, a chance for up-close observations of these marvelous cetaceans breaching and spy hopping. Then, with snorkel, mask, and fins, we swim alongside them! Our underwater experience may include the haunting, echoing songs of the humpback.

Days 6-13
Uoleva and Uiha Islands / Snorkeling / Kayaking / Whale Watching

Traveling as the ancient Polynesians did—by water—we paddle our kayaks to Uoleva Island, where our base is a rustic, tranquil hideaway on a white-sand beach beneath swaying palms. Our days are filled with snorkeling adventures among spectacular reefs, island explorations on foot, paddling to nearby islands, and enjoying picnics on deserted beaches. Uoleva has an amazing geography of caves, canyons, vertical walls, and colorful coral gardens, and the snorkeling is incredible, with plenty of reef fish, including Moorish idol, butterfly fish, wrasse, and clown fish. We might even catch a glimpse of the stingrays and sea turtles that inhabit these extraordinary reefs. More whale watching encounters by catamaran are in store as well. On Sunday morning, we paddle to the island of Uiha to attend a local church service to hear the harmonious sound of Tongan choir singing, letting the strong, passionate voices wash over us—a memorable experience! Throughout our journey, we experience warm Tongan hospitality as well as traditional Tongan feasts with our island hosts. Depart on Day 13.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, Moderate. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for snorkeling, photography, extra paddling, and beachcombing. Our kayaks are stable, seaworthy crafts well suited to novices and the ocean environment. No previous kayaking experience is required, but we do recommend you try at least a day trip of sea kayaking prior to joining the trip. All trip members should be comfortable in small boats.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended and you should be in good health and physical condition to get the most enjoyment from your trip. The Ha’apai islands are separated by reefs or open water, but they are not great paddling distances apart. In general, we choose routes that are largely protected from high winds and strong currents. We also adapt our daily schedule to local conditions. We generally paddle two to four hours on kayaking days, with daily snorkeling and island exploration.

Because one of the primary enjoyments of the trip is snorkeling and swimming with whales, we require that trip members know how to swim. Please bring your own good quality, well-fitted equipment with you, including mask, snorkel, and fins. Try out your gear in a swimming pool before you go to make sure that it works for you and is comfortable. We will have a “refresher” snorkel in calm waters at the beginning of the trip. There is ample time for both scheduled snorkels and free snorkeling, and for the most part the water time is “at your own pace.”

Explanation of Trip Levels