2026 Tonga

Whale Adventures

Our 2026 whale swim adventure dates are 

available from August 1 to October 3 2026

Organise your own group of up to 8 people during August and recieve a 10% discount or check out our journeys listed  below

The trips are intended as a deep dive for whale loving adventurers. We include a special umu and Kava celebration, trips to sacred sites, ancient trees and stunning caves.

Our trips take place on Tongatapu and Eua Island (pronounced Eywah) 2.5hrs by boat or 7minutes by plane from mainland Tongatapu.

Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own return flights to Tonga Tapu the which can range from $650 to $950 depending on when you book.

We will advise the flights to book we need to travel on the same flights in order to meet transport pick ups, if you choose an alternate flight you would need to cover your own airport transfers

The retreat cost includes

Airport transfers

Tonga Tapu Treehouse camping accommodation *Treehouses can be booked at an extra cost

Transfers to Eua Island

by Charter boat or *plane

Camping Teepee or own tent accomodation on Eua Island

Transport on Eua Island

All activities including 

Spirit Tree jungle walks

Cave adventure

Mauis Spearhole

Wild Horses

Umu celebration

Quigong

Beach fires

Evening meals

1 whale swim

The trip includes an evening meal, breakfasts, lunches and snacks are not included.

* International Airfares are not included.

*Charter plane only available for groups of minimum 10 people and cost extra

 There is a basic camp kitchen with cups, plates, curlery etc. There will be opportunities to purchase groceries and local produce on the mainland before we depart for Eua and there are several small local stores on the island.

2026 Retreat pricing is in NZD

10 day retreat per person

*price is for all activities listed above

plus your choice of

accommodation below

For SEED CAMP September 4 to 15th pricing email sacredislandretreats.com 

For SACRED WHALE JOURNEY September 15th to 24 with Chelita Zainey email chelita@chelitazainey.com 

KIDS WHALE ADVENTURE CAMP September 25 to October 3rd pricing below per person

• CAMPING (b.y.o tent) $2050
• CAMPING (teepee to yourself) $2250
• CAMPING (shared teepee 2 people) $2150
• KIDS Camping (own tent) $1380
• KIDS Camping (shared teepee) $1460
• FAMILY 2 adults 2 kids own tent $4600
• FAMILY 2 adults 2 kids 2 teepees $5000
• Deposit to confirm is $500
• Please note this pricing includes one whale swim, extra whale swims are $500-$600 each

* Airfares are seperate please message for flight details. We need to go on the same flights in order to meet transport to accomodation and island. Current return flights are approximately $650 -$750nzd

Payment plans available

Trip must be paid in full 4 weeks before departure

Trip is non refundable

Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to weather events and health insurance is highly recommended as well as booking 'flexi fares' in case of travel delays.

You will need a valid passport and to check if you need a visa.

*We would ask that you keep information about the island private, we are working with locals to protect the island and whales and are working towards its sustainable development.

Please feel free to call with any questions. +64 212644622

We have no doubt that this trip will be life changing for all attendees and we will do our utmost to care for everyone so they have a positive experience. That said this is not luxury trip, or quiet retreat - more of a budget adventure on a remote island and a deep dive into the Tongan way of life where you will discover the beauty of the whales, the ancient trees and Eua island.

The beaches can have strong currents and ocean a large swell. This is because the water is up to 2000m deep, hence the whales living there!

All activities undertaken are at your own risk, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer.

Please get in touch asap if you are interested this trip will seĺl out!

We can send through the suggested flights. Retreat daily schedules are listed in the drop down tab under 'frequently asked questions'.

Can you feel the sacred island calling?

Its time to meet the whales and gather

with your tribe.

Best wishes

Lyndal and Jimmy

Your tour hosts

 + 64 021 2644 622 

Sacredislandretreats@gmail.com 

The Sacred Island of Eua

Our retreat is happening on Eua (pronounced Aywah) Island 2.5hrs by boat from mainland Tonga.

This ancient 40 million year old island  waa inspiration for the Avatar movies. Yes, the Spirit Tree is there a 1000 year old Strangling Fig tree in fact there are two a grandmother and grandfather tree. The island also features Mauis spearhole a huge hole in the cliffs where wild horses roam. There is an abundance of fresh coconuts and papayas and lots of local produce available. We have a swimmable beach below our campsite however the island can be rocky and reef shoes are advised.

The island is undeveloped (no restaurants, cafes or big resorts) where we stay has a lovely campground with share facilities and a small basic cottage, just above the beach.

This is not a luxury island or a luxury retreat. It is a raw deep dive into the beauty of nature and island life and our retreats are for adventurers.

Swimming with Whales

Swim with whales, create lasting memories. 

The Tongan whale 'tribe' has 3000 whales that visit each year. to birth their young and then take them back to Antarctica.

The whales are protected and strict rules apply for swimming with them, however with professional local native guides we are often able to spend time underwater with the whales who are as equally curious about us and we are about them!

At this time of year we are in Tonga August - October they may have newborns calves with them.  We only swim with the whales in the morning until 2pm so in the afternoons they can rest and feed their young.

Please note all participants in the whale swims need to be able to swim at least 100m in open water using a snorkel, mask and flippers. They must follow instructions from our guides. We cannot touch the whales or dive below the surface at them. These are the international rules. Whales are wild animals and there are no guarantees that they will interact with swimmers. However on our last trip we swum with whales every single time and also saw them regularly from land.

Snorkel, mask, wetsuits and flippers are provided with the whale swims, however we encourage participants to bring their own well fitting mask and snorkel as sizes differ.

Whale swims are $600 Tongan dollars each and 1 whale swim is included in the 2026 pricing apart from the SACRED WHALE JOURNEY with Chelita Zainey which includes 2 whale swims.

You can book  extra whale swims if you like however you will miss some excursions if you do more than 3.

For extra swims you will need to bring $600 Tongan dollars cash per swim with you to give to the whale operator or we can organise payment by bank transfer.