We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing?
Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean's annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider.
To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behaviour and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales.
This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and swimming near one always involves some risk. The movements of these huge creatures can be fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming into the path of a whale greatly increases the danger.
In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas where there are whales, especially calves, and at least one shark attack on a Tongan guide swimming with whales has been recorded. A tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only a matter of time.
Most whale encounters occur in deep waters where unperceived currents and wave action can soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. For these reasons, responsible whalewatching companies like http://www.whalediscoveries.com do not offer snorkeling with whales.
Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has come to bear on the Tongan Government to revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching licenses have been issued recently, raising the number of commercial operators in this small area to about a dozen, and vessels often have to queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been observed of boats approaching to within five meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks and calves being pursued out to sea.
Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such an excursion, they could be adversely affecting the noble creatures they came to see. It's a good idea to discuss these matters with the operator before booking your trip, and to avoid those who seem most interested in maximizing their own profits at the expense of the whales.
Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are successful and there are no refunds. These concerns only apply to attempts to actually swim with whales, and whalewatching from a boat at a safe distance is no problem.
David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific http://www.southpacific.org/pacific.html which has a chapter on Tonga. Stanley's online Tonga Travel Guide is at http://www.southpacific.org/text/finding_ tonga.html while his Tonga travel photos are on http://www.pacific-pictures.com/tonga/
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource box. Many thanks!
Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.The K... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
For some 30 years I practiced law in Mesa, Arizona.... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your... Read More
A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience,... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More
"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More
We weren't planning to go rock and arrowhead hunting in... Read More
Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where... Read More
Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Stay warm or die. That's what it comes down to... Read More
Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's... Read More
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
No one can truly say... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
Outdoors |