Budget Tonga holiday, swim with humpback whales

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Reduction in flying: The domestic flight from Tongatapu to Ha'apai is necessary due to the remote location of Ha'apai and the lack of feasible alternatives for fast and efficient transport. While we aim to minimize the carbon footprint of our trips, this short flight is the most practical option to ensure guests can reach their destination safely and comfortably. The flight is scenic, providing guests with a unique aerial view of the islands, which adds to the overall experience. Despite this, we limit the use of internal flights throughout the tour to minimize overall emissions and prioritize more sustainable transport options where possible.

Renewable Energy in Accommodations: The resort prides itself on a commitment to sustainable tourism, with each fale powered by its own dedicated solar power system. This allows guests to enjoy modern comforts while minimizing their environmental impact. All fales and dwellings are constructed entirely of timber to minimize environmental impact and align with sustainable practices. To further reduce its carbon footprint, the resort has implemented composting toilets, which are less impactful than septic tanks, and promotes recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Additionally, the resort practices sustainable techniques such as composting and growing fruits and vegetables in hydroponic gardens. These efforts reflect the resort's dedication to eco-friendly living and ensuring a sustainable experience for guests, all while offering the true essence of off-grid living in a tranquil island setting.

Shared Transport: Guests are transported in a shared vehicle with a local driver to the resort in Ha'apai upon arrival. This reduces the carbon footprint by consolidating travellers into one vehicle, minimizing the number of vehicles needed for transfers. The shared transfer from the airport to the accommodation in Ha'apai ensures more sustainable use of local transport while guests enjoy a seamless travel experience.

Human-powered transport: Human-powered transport is an integral part of our tour, offering opportunities to explore the destinations more intimately and sustainably. Specifically, human-powered activities are available, such as cycling, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, are included on Days 4, 7, and 8 of the tour, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of Tonga while minimizing your environmental impact.

Customer Guidance on Carbon Reduction: We encourage travellers to consider flight CO2 emissions when selecting their international flights. Many airlines and flight search websites, such as Google Flights and Skyscanner, provide CO2 emission information, which allows travellers to compare options and make informed decisions. Opting for airlines with greener practices contributes to positive environmental change while still enjoying the adventure.

We encourage our customers to minimize plastic waste during their trip. We promote the use of reusable water bottles, particularly with systems like Water-to-Go, which filter water and reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles. This practice is especially beneficial in areas where tap water may not be safe to drink, and it helps reduce plastic waste, contributing to the preservation of the environment during your travels.

In addition, we are committed to ensuring that our tours leave a positive impact on the local environment, cultures, and ecosystems. We provide simple tips for travellers to help minimize their environmental footprint and maximize the benefits of the places they visit. This aligns with our responsible tourism practices, aiming to leave the host countries in a better state than we found them.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options:
Unfortunately, vegan menus are not available due to the limited availability of produce on the island. We suggest informing us of any dietary restrictions, and we will do our best to accommodate you within the constraints of the location.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

An integral part of the Eco Resort’s mission is fostering awareness and appreciation for Tonga’s natural environment while promoting recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation. By employing local residents and engaging with the community, they actively support economic growth and inclusion

Accommodations Restoring Nature: Kite Surf Tonga, for example, is committed to sustainability and includes various efforts to support the local environment. The resort is actively involved in regenerative practices such as maintaining hydroponic gardens, using composting techniques, and implementing solar power systems.

Contribution to nature recovery/rewilding projects: The trip contributes to nature recovery and conservation in several ways, particularly through the whale swimming experiences and sustainable practices. The following are the key contributions to nature recovery or conservation efforts:

Swimming with the Humpback Whales: This tour includes swimming with the majestic Humpback Whales in the pristine waters of Ha'apai. Tonga is one of the few countries where swimming with these whales is allowed, and the guides focus on educating guests about whale conservation.The experience supports awareness and appreciation of marine wildlife, promoting the protection of these magnificent creatures. The tour is conducted with respect for the whales, ensuring no chasing or disturbance of their natural behaviour. The goal is to foster a deep respect for marine life and contribute to its conservation.

Expertly Guided Tours: For the expertly guided tours, Karen and Glen, the owners and managers of Kite Surf Tonga, will be your hosts during your stay in Ha'apai. Their passion for humpback whales began in 2009, when they had their first whale encounter in Tonga. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to providing memorable, educational experiences centered around these majestic creatures. Glen, a trained Instructor Trainer Diver and professional Skipper, has led conservation teams in Fiji and the Philippines, and now focuses on human-whale interaction and education. Karen, with her background in Marine Ecology, diving, and teaching, will further enrich your whale encounter experience.

Together, with their team of experienced professionals, Karen and Glen aim to safely share these extraordinary whale encounters with you, enhancing your awareness and understanding of humpback whales, all while providing an unforgettable adventure in Tonga.

Whale-Watching Vessel - Tropic Bird: The whale-watching vessel, Tropic Bird, is designed for minimal environmental impact. The vessel is spacious yet intimate, allowing for only a small group of guests to ensure a low-impact experience in the environment. It is also equipped with a hydrophone system to allow guests to listen to whale songs, adding an educational and immersive element to the experience.

Sustainable Resort Practices & Off-Grid Tour: The accommodation at Kite Surf Tonga embraces sustainable tourism practices, including the use of solar power, hydroponic gardening, and composting. These initiatives support local environmental efforts and reduce the ecological footprint of the resort.

The resort is an eco-friendly haven that also offers an off-grid tour, where you will learn about its sustainability efforts, including its solar power setup, composting systems, and hydroponic fruit and vegetable gardens. This tour provides a deeper understanding of how the resort contributes to environmental preservation and promotes off-grid living sustainably.

Additionally, Kite Surf Tonga strives to create economic opportunities for the local Tongan community, helping to sensitize them to environmental issues and improve awareness of the importance of preserving Tonga's natural environment.

Local Employment and Education: The trip employs local guides who are not only experts in the region’s natural environment but also advocates for the protection and sustainability of the area. By supporting local employment, the trip indirectly supports the conservation of Tonga’s ecosystems and promotes nature recovery in the region.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally owned accommodations: The accommodation at Kite Surf Tonga is locally owned, providing direct benefits to the local community and promoting sustainable tourism by supporting local businesses.

Maximizing local economic opportunities: The trip also provides opportunities to engage with the local culture and economy through optional activities:

Half-Day Island Tour: While not included in the main itinerary, you can book a half-day island tour through your hotel. This tour offers a deep dive into Tongan lifestyle, culture, and traditions. You’ll learn about local customs, historical stories, and watch demonstrations. A visit to the bustling Tongan Market is also part of the tour, giving you the chance to interact with locals, purchase fresh produce, and shop for handmade crafts.

Cultural Show and Tongan Feast: Another optional experience available through your hotel is visiting the Ohelei Beach Resort for a traditional Tongan feast, cultural performance, and live music. This immersive evening will give you a taste of Tongan culture, history, and authentic cuisine.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local Employment: A significant portion of the team is made up of local employees from Tonga, including guides, boat crew, and resort staff. This ensures that the local community benefits directly from tourism in terms of job creation and skill development.

Community Integration: The resort works closely with the local community, employing individuals from surrounding areas, especially for roles related to guiding, hospitality, and sustainability initiatives. This involvement provides opportunities for locals to learn and grow within the tourism and conservation sectors, ensuring that the benefits of the trip reach those living in the region.

Income for marginalized groups: The tour and accommodations aim to create income-generating opportunities for marginalized or excluded groups, contributing to sustainable local development and supporting social inclusion. Here are some examples:

Local Community Involvement: The resort works closely with local communities to offer cultural and educational experiences. This provides marginalized groups in the area, including those in remote or disadvantaged communities, with opportunities to share their knowledge and traditions, generating income through cultural shows, island tours, and handicraft sales.

Indigenous Tongan Participation: Many of the local guides and cultural performers are indigenous Tongans, ensuring that traditional knowledge and cultural heritage are passed on while providing valuable employment in the tourism sector. This involvement helps preserve the unique Tongan culture while fostering economic opportunities.

Accessibility Considerations: This trip may not be suitable for people with limited mobility, vision or hearing, or cognitive issues due to the nature of some activities and the remote location of the accommodation. Key considerations include:

Swimming Requirement: You must be able to swim and be confident in the water to join this tour. However, you do not need to be a strong swimmer.

Fitness Level: A reasonable level of fitness is required, including the ability to climb a moving boat ladder with a maximum capacity of 120kg.

Location Considerations: Ha'apai is a remote island with limited medical facilities, a limited flight service, and an unpredictable electricity supply, which may present challenges in case of emergencies.

Medical Conditions & Dietary Requirements: Please inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies, dietary requirements, or physical disabilities you may have.
This will allow us to assess if the trip is suitable for you and provide guidance. The resort hosts’ decision on accepting guests is final.