How to Prepare for Swimming with The Giants of the Ocean

Swimming with humpback whales is one of those experiences that is genuinely difficult to put into words. The moment you slip beneath the surface and a 40 tonne animal turns to look at you with curiosity and calm, everything else falls away. It is humbling, extraordinary, and unlike anything else on this planet.

But here is something we have learned from years of guiding guests in the water with these animals: the more comfortable and prepared you are with your gear before you arrive, the more fully you can be present for those moments. When you are not thinking about your mask leaking or how to move in the water, your entire focus can go exactly where it belongs, on the whale.

So before you join us in Tonga, here is how to make the most of your preparation. And if you are wondering what gear to bring, keep an eye out for our dedicated gear guide blog post coming soon.

Get into the water before you arrive

This is our biggest piece of advice and the one that makes the most noticeable difference. Head to your local pool or the ocean and get familiar with your gear before you board the plane. A few sessions is all it takes to transform an unfamiliar set of equipment into something that feels like second nature.

Here is what to practise:

Finning with minimal splash. When swimming face down, focus on tilting or lowering your hips so your fins stay just below the surface. This is not only important for keeping the whales comfortable, it also means the person swimming behind you is not swimming into a wall of bubbles and churned up water with zero visibility. Clean, quiet finning makes the whole group experience better for everyone in the water.

Swimming on your side. When we enter the water with the whales, we swim sideways rather than flat on our stomachs. This naturally allows the hips to drop and keeps your fins below the surface, so there is no splashing or noise that could disturb the animals. It takes a little getting used to but once it clicks it feels completely natural. The sooner you practise this the better.

Building your speed. Humpbacks are big and they move. There will be moments where we need to reposition quickly and quietly to stay with an animal. Working on your swimming speed and efficiency before you arrive means that when those moments come, you can move with purpose rather than effort. The more effortless your movement in the water, the more energy you have left to simply be present with the whale.

Clearing your snorkel. In the open ocean the surface is rarely flat. Chop and swell mean water entering your snorkel is inevitable, and if you are not comfortable clearing it quickly and confidently it becomes a distraction at exactly the wrong moment. Practise the sharp exhale needed to purge it until it feels completely automatic. 

Breathing slowly and calmly. Long, relaxed breaths will keep you comfortable at the surface for extended periods and help you stay still when you need to. This is something that improves naturally the more time you spend in the water.

Why practise more than once

One pool session is useful. Three or four is transformative. Each time you get in the water you will notice your body relaxing a little more, your movements becoming quieter, your breathing slower and more controlled. The goal is for the gear and the technique to disappear entirely so that when you are face to face with a humpback, the only thing you are thinking about is that whale.

We have seen guests arrive having practised at home and the difference is remarkable, not just in their comfort in the water, but in the quality of the encounter they have. When you are relaxed and present, the whales notice. And so do you.

What happens when you arrive

On the day before we head out on the boats for the first time, we run a gear check and a practical session from our house jetty. This is a chance to get everything fitted and adjusted, run through the techniques together, and make sure everyone feels confident before we are out in the open ocean with the whales. Think of it as your final warm up before the real thing.

Ready to join us?

We still have spots available for our 2026 Tonga season across both our Vava'u expedition and our remote Hidden Island experience. If you have any questions about gear, preparation, or what to expect on the water, we are always happy to chat. Reach out to us at info@bluevagabonds.com or explore our upcoming expeditions.