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Chris Willis | profile | all galleries >> Kingdom of Tonga, Sept. 2005 >> Humpback Whales in Tonga tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Mounu Island, Vava'u Group | Humpback Whales in Tonga | Vava'u Lahi | Sailing on the Impetuous | Tongatapu and Fafa Island

Humpback Whales in Tonga

We spent much of our time in the Vava'u Group going out on day boat trips to see and snorkel with the humpback whales that overwinter there. Approximately 700 whales come to the Vava'u Group every winter, from July through October.
A lone male humpback whale in the southern part of the Vava'u Group
A lone male humpback whale in the southern part of the Vava'u Group		 The curious whale approaches our boat
The curious whale approaches our boat		 The whale sticks its nose out of the water while it observes us
The whale sticks its nose out of the water while it observes us		 Barnacles are visible under the whale's chin
Barnacles are visible under the whale's chin
Snorkelers in the water with the curious male humpback whale
Snorkelers in the water with the curious male humpback whale		 Humpback whales have distinctive, small dorsal fins
Humpback whales have distinctive, small dorsal fins		 A humpback whale on the surface illustrates the origin of the species' name
A humpback whale on the surface illustrates the origin of the species' name		 Two humpback whales in the protected waters of the Vava'u group
Two humpback whales in the protected waters of the Vava'u group
A whale raises its tail in the air for a deep dive
A whale raises its tail in the air for a deep dive		 Humpback whales on the northern side of Vava'u Lahi
Humpback whales on the northern side of Vava'u Lahi		 Two humpback whales
Two humpback whales		 A deep dive is preceded by the whale's flukes coming out of the water
A deep dive is preceded by the whale's flukes coming out of the water
A humpback whale mother and calf in a tender moment about 40 feet below the surface
A humpback whale mother and calf in a tender moment about 40 feet below the surface		 A humpback whale calf approaches for a close look
A humpback whale calf approaches for a close look		 A humpback whale mother holds her calf at the surface
A humpback whale mother holds her calf at the surface		 Humpback whale calf
Humpback whale calf
Close-up of the humpback whale calf taken as it approached us to within a few feet
Close-up of the humpback whale calf taken as it approached us to within a few feet		 The humpback mother and calf enjoy the calm, sheltered waters near Vava'u Lahi
The humpback mother and calf enjoy the calm, sheltered waters near Vava'u Lahi

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Guest 15-Jun-2008 04:38
Super pics. Can't wait to go back to Tonga during the Whale season.
Guest 27-Sep-2007 01:47
absolutely inspiring. i love whales and the chance to see them in their world, underneath the surface, sounds absolutely amazingly awe inspiring!
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