In late September of 2018, we packed our snorkel gear and headed off to the Islands of Tonga to affix Wilderness Journey’s Swimming with Humpback Whales journey. After spending one evening in Tongatupu, that capitol of Tonga, we took a “puddle jumper” flight to the Ha’apai Islands. I took this picture proper earlier than we landed in Ha’apai.
This lovely tropical island was our dwelling for the subsequent seven days. We stayed at an island resort set on the seaside and loved fantastic entry to the crystal-clear water proper from our bungalows.
On our first time out, we encountered humpbacks throughout the first hour. It was virtually as in the event that they had been excited to see us!
I couldn’t wait to leap in and see these wonderful mammals up shut. I’ve been a scuba diver and underwater photographer for the previous 30 years, however this is able to be my first encounter with humpback whales. I had my digicam prepared and was completely psyched to get within the water. From our boat, it was virtually as if this whale was saying to us, “come on in, the water is ok!”
With our masks and fins on, we slipped off the aspect of our boat and headed towards the whales.
As I entered the water, the humpbacks got here proper as much as me. It appeared like they had been simply as focused on me as I used to be at them!
This whale’s pectoral fin got here so near me, virtually as if he wished to shake fingers.
At this level, I used to be almost “freaking out” and will barely hold my composure and regular my digicam to take a photograph. What an incredible expertise!
This humpback stayed with us for at the least one hour and confirmed off all of his acrobatic expertise. As a former aggressive gymnast, I gave him a ten.0 for his routine.
This picture that I took on the primary day actually exhibits how shut the whales would come towards us and their wonderful dimension compared to a human. The swimmer on this picture is our marine biologist information, Ben Vieyra.
Our wonderful journey chief, Jon Imhoof, having enjoyable with this humpback whale.
5 of the seven days in Ha’apai, we had been out on the open water on the lookout for Humpbacks. We had actually nice encounters each day of this journey.
My purpose as a photographer was to try to seize the sense of amazement that we skilled right here in Tonga. On this picture, I used to be fortunate to get a shot of my spouse, Anne Vexler swimming nose to nose with this younger whale.
Annually, feminine Humpbacks journey from Antarctica to Tonga within the Spring to provide start to their calves. By October, this child whale has no drawback displaying off his swimming expertise. Within the shallow waters of Ha’apai, the calves keep near their moms for steerage and safety.
There may be additionally this unbelievable emotional attachment between mom and child displayed right here on this picture. This younger whale would “cuddle” with its mom for at the least 20 minutes on this place.
After 30 years of scuba diving everywhere in the world, I’ve to say that this was actually one of the best underwater expertise of my life. Many due to Jon Imhoof, Ben Vieyra, and Wilderness Journey for all of your laborious work and dedication to make this journey a once-in-a-lifetime expertise!