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