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Swim with Nature’s Gentle Giants

Small groups. All inclusive. Unforgettable experiences.

 
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Featured Trips

Good to
Know

  • We offer snorkeling trips in Tonga, French Polynesia, Dominica, and Mexico. Although our team has experience in underwater photography, our trips are not photo tours and are not catered toward underwater photo sessions.

  • Most people are physically capable of these trips, but you should be able to swim and snorkel.

  • A non-refundable deposit is required at sign-up for all trips.

  • Participants 55+ years old may be required to have a doctor’s letter stating that they are physically fit for intense cardiac activity.

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Snorkeling & Free Diving

We’re committed to respecting the wildlife we encounter by snorkeling and, when appropriate, optionally freediving. We don’t use scuba gear, and no certification is required.

Trips Around
the World

We offer trips to a variety of destinations, giving you the chance to experience stunning wildlife both in and out of the water.

All-Inclusive
Trips

Included: Accommodation, local transportation, boat, guide, crew, and meals.
Not included: Flights to the destination, drinks, and snorkel gear.

Small Group Experience

Travel with a small group (6-8 people) of like-minded travelers for more intimate encounters with wildlife.

 
A close-up of a whale underwater, showing its head and part of its body.
A diver swimming near a large sperm whale in the deep blue ocean.
Underwater scene with two seals swimming near rocks, one seal with a starfish on its face.
Two orcas swimming underwater in the ocean.
A whale swimming underwater with water splashing above on the surface.
Two humpback whales swimming in the deep blue ocean.
A woman in a swimsuit with fins swimming underwater towards a large whale in the ocean

What our guests have said

  • “One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. So grateful to Jono and Paul for facilitating this magical experience and for all the small details that added to the magic of this trip. Can't recommend it enough!”

    - Lea D

  • “This experience was even more unique and magical than I imagined. Being so close to the whales and the intimate moments with them is a memory I’ll never forget. Karim was so charismatic, and extremely knowledgable, and the locals were just the nicest happiest people l’ve ever met. I’ll never forget this.

    -Hussein D

  • “Second trip with dance with whales and once again it was amazing. Everything was perfect, great team, organisation, best time ever ! Could only recommend going with them for the adventure of a lifetime.”

    - Eva R

  • “We had an amazing time. Everybody was very friendly. The accommodations were really comfortable and very nice. The food was really good. The staff were friendly and helpful. Our guide Kelsey was the best!!”

    - Susana G

  • “I felt like I was on a National Geographic adventure! Wondering if it is worth it to swim with humpback whales? There's no words to describe what it feels like to have a baby humpback come over and play with you. Lite changing. No regrets. Happy memories I’ll keep for my whole lite and share with my kin and friends. “

    - Austin H

  • “Fantastic experience, Rurutu is a very family oriented culture . We are very fortunate to have been able to experience not only swimming with the humpback whales but also the kind and wonderful guides and their families for almost a week! Dances with Whales, Karim and the rest of the team lett no stone unturned in providing this .......”

    - Rob L

  • “ It was one of the best trips, maybe even the best trip I’ve ever taken in my life. Karim had a good balance of appreciating the wildlife as well as getting awesome photos of the group, which I really appreciated. Karim is also a very lovely, fun, and interesting guy, and I think he attracts a certain type of customer, which really worked well for me. Most people on the trip were around a similar age from early twenties to late thirties, who love the ocean, love traveling, very like-minded people, the whole group had a great vibe.”

    - Bella

  • “What an experience of a lifetime! My friend talked me into going on this trip and we both had an amazing time. Karim was great with communication when it came to what to pack, buying plane tickets, and helping us to know what to expect. The accommodations were comfortable, the boat captain and crew were wonderful and the people of Tonga were so friendly. The other participants who went on the trip are now lifetime friends. Thank you Karim!”

    - Whitney K St

  • “It was amazing! Being able to see just a small part of a humpback's world was an indescribable experience. They are so massive yet so graceful and gentle. Tonga itself is such a beautiful place to see with all its unique islands and coral reefs.”

    - Charyse

Close-up of a whale's eye and textured skin with light reflections.

- Karim Iliya

"I have been around the world and seen incredible things. Volcanos exploding their guts into the night sky, the northern lights dancing across the winter landscapes of Iceland, and sailing across the Greek Isles and Svalbard, but nothing comes close to encountering humpback whales underwater. It is a place where I have experienced the strongest emotions of love and humility and watched grown adults brought to tears. It changed my life and has made me want to spend my life interacting with and documenting these animals underwater. I want to be able to share that with the world through my images and films. And now, with these trips, I will share that experience with you."

Do you have questions? or Want to learn more?

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