| We've all heard about whalewatching from boats | | | | where there are whales, especially calves, and at |
| or shore, and a few companies are now offering | | | | least one shark attack on a Tongan guide |
| the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling | | | | swimming with whales has been recorded. A |
| with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing? | | | | tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only |
| Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of | | | | a matter of time. |
| Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the | | | | Most whale encounters occur in deep waters |
| possibility of swimming and snorkeling with | | | | where unperceived currents and wave action can |
| humpback whales during the cetacean's annual | | | | soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. |
| migration from July to October. This activity | | | | For these reasons, responsible whalewatching |
| sounds appealing, yet there are a number of | | | | companies like do not offer snorkeling with |
| things to consider. | | | | whales. |
| To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a | | | | Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has |
| whale, the swim boats must come closer than | | | | come to bear on the Tongan Government to |
| the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government | | | | revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within |
| guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a | | | | 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching |
| maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and | | | | licenses have been issued recently, raising the |
| repeated disturbances can lead to the animals | | | | number of commercial operators in this small area |
| changing their behaviour and even abandoning | | | | to about a dozen, and vessels often have to |
| their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting | | | | queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been |
| routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially | | | | observed of boats approaching to within five |
| threatening the health of the whales. | | | | meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks |
| This high-risk activity is not covered by most | | | | and calves being pursued out to sea. |
| travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of | | | | Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such |
| Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and | | | | an excursion, they could be adversely affecting |
| swimming near one always involves some risk. | | | | the noble creatures they came to see. It's a good |
| The movements of these huge creatures can be | | | | idea to discuss these matters with the operator |
| fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if | | | | before booking your trip, and to avoid those who |
| the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother | | | | seem most interested in maximizing their own |
| with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming | | | | profits at the expense of the whales. |
| into the path of a whale greatly increases the | | | | Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware |
| danger. | | | | that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are |
| In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas | | | | successful and there are no refunds. |