About
About
Whaledive.net will be with you every step of the way!
From sending you packing lists to take-off and snorkelling beside you in the magical crystal clear waters our tour leaders will be there if you have a query or need advice, and will ensure you have a whaley good time!
-
![]()
Small Groups
ButtonWith a maximum of 8 people + your tour leader, you'll be sure to meet awesome people AND have an incredible time with the whales
-
![]()
See more
ButtonExplore incredible rainforests, swim in beautiful lagoons, visit local markets and be mesmerized by stunning views!
-
![]()
Conscientious Guides
ButtonWhether it be our expert Skippers, the highly experienced qualified Whale guides or your Quest Tours leader, you are guaranteed to be in excellent hands.
-
![]()
Licenced Travel Agent
ButtonNot only have we been visiting Vava'u for 17 seasons, we are also the Longest running LICENCED travel agent escorting these tours.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL
We will book your international airfares, and organise your accommodation, transfers and Whale experiences.
You can expect a detailed packing list and travel updates in the weeks leading up to your departure date.
Swimming with whales is a surface snorkelling activity only. Lead weights are not required. Should you need them they are available to hire.
Good quality, well fitting snorkelling fins (not kick fins) are essential. A well fitted mask that has been treated so it does not fog will keep you comfortable, and we strongly recommend a high-quality snorkel with a splashguard and a purge valve.
Please ask us for advice regarding all of this equipment. We have packages exclusively available for our tour participants at $90, at our Dive Forster Shop.
Your guide on the tour is trained for in-water rescues and emergency first aid.
It is ESSENTIAL that you practice your snorkelling skills in open ocean BEFORE you depart as much as possible
What we offer
PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS
We are keen photographers and provide photographic workshops on our trips. We encourage our travellers to bring waterproof cameras as you would want to capture these memories. This is a trip of a lifetime!
SMALL GROUPS
We take a maximum of 8 people on the boat to swim with the whales, 4 people in the water at a time and up to 9 hours aboard a day. This means you benefit by getting more encounters with the whales!
EXPERIENCE
2023 will be our 19th year leading tours to swim with Humpback Whales, and we have learnt a few things along the way. We use the finest and most experienced skippers, guides and the best vessel for our interactions with these magnificent mammals. Timor Leste and Tahiti are prime destinations to swim with the Whales - very minimal boat activity which means less pressure on the whales and more time in the water with these incredible creatures!
KNOWLEDGE
Meet the TEAM
Ron Hunter
Owner of Whaledive.net / QuestTours / Dive Forster
Ron is a vastly experienced SCUBA diver, PADI Divemaster and traveller, and has travelled and led groups of divers to most of the great dive and adventure locations in the world. Ron is a keen underwater photographer; many of his mega fauna, wide angled images have been used in Dive Magazines. Ron recently was chosen as an underwater videographer for a new ABC3 television series.
Ron has previously travelled extensively on Safari. Some of Ron’s images from Africa and his other world travels have been published in travel magazines. Past trips include Europe, Asia, America's, the Pacific, Micronesia, and the Polar Regions.
Gabby Hunter
General Manager of the Family run businesses
Gabby manages Quest Tours, a family operated travel agency based in Forster, NSW.
She first travelled to Tonga 14 years ago and fell in love with Vava’u and the incredible Humpback Whales. Since then, she has led 12 trips spread across 7 seasons.
Gabby has lead tours to Cenderawasih Bay with the Whalesharks, The Maldives, Sumatra, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico and Tonga. She is also a Commercial Vessel Master here in Australia, and can be regularly seen at the helm of our Forster based SCUBA Dive Day Charter Boat.
Leighton Lum
Leighton Lum Photography
Leighton is a contemporary artist striving to capture the beauty in nature. His creative eye and passion for adventure, results in amazing photography.
Leighton Lum was born and raised on the island of Oahu, and has traveled to many places, bringing a large variety to his photography from around the globe. From swimming with sharks to tracking down big polar bears in the arctic, Leighton has always had a love and passion for the great outdoors.
As a boy living in paradise, his goal is to share the uniqueness of the world through his eyes. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy nature the way it was meant to be seen.
