The whale retreat · ʻEua, Tonga
A week on the water.
Five ocean days. One retreat.
The retreat at a glance
A whole week held from one oceanfront base.
Accommodation, meals, transfers, recovery time and the water days are organised together.
Exact retreat dates and availability are shared when you enquire. We do not publish prices or payment details online.
A week shaped by whales, island and the people beside you.
See what the week includesAn indicative day
Prepare. Go to sea. Return and reset.
Each planned water day begins with breakfast and boat preparation, followed by seven hours on the water. Weather, sea conditions and whale behaviour determine the route and whether guests enter the water.
Prepare
When you first arrive, begin with a welcome and safety briefing. On water days, breakfast is followed by boat preparation before our team drives you to the wharf.
At sea
Spend seven hours on the water looking for whales and whatever other gifts the ocean brings. Lunch is served on the water.
Reset
Return for warmth and recovery, with spa time, yoga or breathwork; massage can be booked separately. Evenings may bring a bonfire, kava ceremony or marine talk.
Lunch is served on the water. Sightings and entering the water cannot be guaranteed.
Held together for you
What the week includes.
The practical parts of the retreat are organised around your five planned days on the water.
On the waterGuided excursions, lunch and harbour transfers.
At the retreatAccommodation, meals and ʻEua airport transfers.
Beyond the boatTime to recover, with activities depending on the programme.
See the complete inclusions
- Five guided whale-swimming days
- Accommodation and meals
- Transfers between ʻEua airport and the retreat
- Daily boat-day transfers between the retreat and harbour
Available separately
Massage treatments, alcoholic beverages, 5 mm wetsuits and long freediving fins are available separately. Recovery facility access depends on your package; the manager will confirm the details with you.
Your crew
The people holding the week together.
Skippers, in-water guides, drivers, hosts and the retreat team each carry a different part of the experience.
On the water, the crew reads conditions and whale behaviour. Back on land, the team brings you home to food, warmth and the next part of the day.
Once you return
Warmth, recovery and evenings together.
Come back from the wharf, warm up, eat and let the day settle before the next morning on the water.
Depending on the programme, the week may move into yoga or breathwork, a marine talk, bonfire or kava ceremony. Massage can be booked separately.
Sunday in the Kingdom
A day when the whole island changes pace.
Sunday is protected as a day of rest in Tonga. Whale tours do not operate.
The pause comes from Tonga's constitutional Sabbath, a tradition held across the Kingdom. For the retreat, it becomes a quieter day for rest, shared meals and island time. The Kingdom pauses, and the whales have the water without us.
The 1978 Royal Decree protected whales from hunting. The Sunday pause comes from Clause 6 of Tonga's Constitution.
Is this week right for you?
Feel at home in the open ocean.
Guests should feel comfortable in open water and be prepared for changing sea conditions.
Entering the water
Guides brief guests on safety, whale behaviour and respectful interactions. First-time guests also take part in a safety swim. Some encounters are best appreciated from the boat; entering the water is never guaranteed.
What to bring
Bring a familiar mask and fins, a hat and your usual seasickness preparation. Sunscreen is available at the retreat. Five-millimetre wetsuits and long freediving fins are available to hire.
Boarding and travel cover
You need to be able to get on and off the boat, which may involve a big step. If you have any questions about boarding, let us know before booking. Travel insurance is required, and medical information is requested after booking.
Children and families
There is no set minimum age. Children participate under a parent’s care, with suitability discussed beforehand.
Before you enquire
What to know before you enquire.
Read the key points about weather, season, travel and the enquiry process. The manager confirms the terms that apply to your proposal.
What happens when weather or whales change the plan?
The team may adjust the plan for safety, weather, sea conditions or whale behaviour. Wildlife sightings and swims are never guaranteed. Terms for operator cancellations, weather-related changes and other disruptions are provided with your proposal.
How does the retreat season work?
From July to October, retreats run for seven days and six nights. In November, the team can discuss a more flexible itinerary. Exact dates are confirmed privately through the manager.
How do I get to ʻEua?
Island transport can be affected by weather and schedule changes. Allow flexibility between connections and read the current getting-to-ʻEua guidance.
What happens after I enquire?
Your enquiry goes to the Blue Water Retreat team. The manager will liaise with you directly about availability, suitability, proposal details and the steps required to confirm the booking.
Start the conversation
Enquire first. Plan the details with our manager.
We do not publish live availability or prices online. Your enquiry starts a direct conversation with the person who can shape the right week with you.
- 01
Tell us what you have in mind.
Share your preferred timing, guest numbers and open-water confidence.
- 02
Continue with our manager.
The manager will discuss availability, suitability and the details of your stay directly with you.