Humpback Whales in Niue
Seeing migrating Humpback whales in the spectacular South Pacific island of Niue
2025
September 5th - 13th, 2025 (Sold Out)
2026
Week 1: August 28th - September 5th, 2026
Week 2: September 10th - 18th, 2026
Optional Extension — New Zealand North Island: September 5th - 10th, 2026
Learn more about our Niue expedition
Humpbacks in one of the most unique islands in the world
It’s hard to describe just how amazing Niue is.
During the Humpback migration it is possible to see mothers with calves on the shallow reefs near shore, heat runs with males pursuing a female to mate, and incredible pass-bys with individuals, pairs, and trios.
If lucky, we may even have the extraordinary experience of seeing a male Humpback singing underwater, feeling the vibrations pulsing on our bodies.
With some of the best water clarity in the world and equally spectacular sights on land, Niue is an unique and unforgettable place to experience Humpback magic.
Well regulated whale interactions in crystal clear water
It is hard to get to Niue. That is what makes it so great. With only one or two flights a week into the island, there is an effective cap on how many visitors are usually on the island at a time. This remoteness means that Niue rarely feels crowded.
Niue also has some of the most sensible whale regulations in the South Pacific, and the crews we work with are meticulous in how they approach whales.
This makes for a more sustainable and enjoyable experience in the water — for both us and the whales.
Experiences
5 days searching for migrating Humpback Whales
Snorkeling over coral reefs with some of the clearest water in the world (40-80m visibility) and swimming through the “Belly of the Whale” cave
Hiking past volcanic landscapes and through a narrow slot canyon to reach a hidden “beach” at Togo Chasm
Swimming in the crystal clear waters of the stunning Limu Pools, Avaiki Cave, and Matapa Chasm
Seeing the stunning Tavala Arches as we pass shallow tide pools and walking down the steps to Anapala Chasm
Itinerary
Our trip will include a wide variety of water and land activities to make the most of our time in this extraordinary place.
2025
September 5th - 13th, 2025 (Sold Out)
Pricing: $4,900 twin sharing, single room supplement available.
Please arrive into Auckland on September 5th or earlier. We will arrive back in Auckland Sept 13th at 17:35 and departure flights home are possible after that time.
Book these specific flights to go to Niue:
To Niue: Sept 6th - NZ 936 / AKL - IUE / 9:05 - 13:30
Back to Auckland: Sept 12th - NZ 937 / IUE - AKL / 14:45 - 17:35
2026
Week 1: August 28th - September 5th, 2026
Week 2: September 10th - 18th, 2026
Optional Extension — New Zealand North Island: September 5th - 10th, 2026
Pricing: $5,490 twin sharing, single room supplement available.
Group Size: 5 guests maximum
Travel: The only gateway to Niue is through Auckland, New Zealand. There is a date change when flying between Auckland and Niue because we are crossing the international date line, so please look at your flight dates carefully.
Included: All scheduled water and land activities, whale talks, accommodation in Auckland and Niue, breakfast, airport transfers
Excluded: Flights to Auckland and Niue
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Fly into Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand, where you will be picked up and taken to our hotel in downtown Auckland. The drive will take about 30 minutes.
Given that there are only 2x flights a week from Auckland to Niue, we recommend that guests arrive into Auckland early to avoid potential travel disruptions.
After you settle in, we will have a trip briefing covering what to expect on our trip, how we will manage interactions with the whales, and our schedule for the week.
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We will have breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport to catch flight NZ 936 to Niue (9:05 - 13:30).
Note: We will land in Niue on September 5th because we are crossing the international date line.
On arrival in Niue we will transfer to our resort, where we will settle in, have dinner, and prep our gear for our first whale day tomorrow.
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Our first whale day! Our morning whale session will go from approximately 8am - 12pm as we search for migrating Humpbacks.
Our afternoon will be free to rest and settle in to Niue, with an optional stop to get a Niuean driver’s license for those who want a souvenir.
(Note: We are still on Sept 6 because we crossed the international date line)
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There are no water activities allowed on Sundays in Niue as people go to church, so we will take this opportunity to explore the island.
We will walk through Avaiki Cave and swim in its clear pools, snorkel the pristine waters in the Matapa Chasm slot canyon, and then walk past shallow tide pools to see the Tavala Arches.
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A double whale day with water sessions in both the morning and afternoon.
We will pre-order lunch at the resort restaurant beforehand so that we can eat in between water sessions.
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In the morning we will take a snorkeling tour with a focus on Niue’s beautiful coral reefs and unique swim throughs such as the “Belly of the Whale” cave.
In the afternoon we will go out on the water again in search of whales.
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A flexible morning in which guests can choose to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Limu Pools, go on an optional scuba dive, or sleep in and relax.
We will be going out in the afternoon in search of whales.
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Our last whale day! Let’s enjoy every moment of it.
In the afternoon we will explore two of the most spectacular sights on Niue — crossing volcanic landscapes to reach the hidden “beach” in the slot canyon at Togo Chasm and walking down the steep steps to see the dark Anapala Chasm.
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A relaxed morning soaking up our last moments in Niue before heading to the airport to fly back to Auckland on NZ 937 (14:45 - 17:35).
Note: We will be crossing the international date line again, so we will land on Sept 13th at 5:35pm.
Accommodation
In Niue we will be staying at the island’s only full-service resort, perched above dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean from where we can frequently hear and see Humpbacks passing.
With its laid-back vibe and stunning natural setting, it’s the perfect place to relax between whale swims — enjoying oceanfront meals and spotting humpbacks right from the pool.
Twin sharing rooms are included in the trip package, with single rooms available for an additional supplement.
Highlights include:
Comfortable rooms, many with ocean views
On-site restaurant and bar
Swimming pool with sea views
Whale sightings often visible from the deck
Daily breakfasts included
In Auckland we will spend one night at a well located hotel in the city’s Central Business District, near sights such as the Sky Tower, Queen Street, Wynward Quarter, and waterfront.
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FAQs
What is the chance of seeing Humpback Whales?
On average we would hope to see Humpbacks on 3 out of our 5 water days. Some trips will be lucky to see them on more days, others may see them on fewer days. This is the wild, so there is always a small chance we do not see them at all. However, Niue is one of the best places in the world to see migrating Humpbacks and our local partners are very experienced with Humpback interactions — if the whales are around we will find them.
What are the interactions with Humpback Whales like?
We believe that the best in-water interactions come from being slow, thoughtful, and respectful. You cannot force something that is not there. We let the whales dictate the interaction.
Most of our interactions will be pass-bys, where the whales slowly swim past us as we get a close view of them. Sometimes the whales may choose to stop and interact, which is a treat. If we are very lucky, we may get a chance to observe unique behaviors such as mothers interacting with babies, male Humpbacks singing underwater, or a mating heat run with multiple males pursuing a female. Those are dream encounters and if we are lucky enough to see them it will be an experience of a lifetime.
What experience is needed to participate?
The one pre-requisite is that you have to know how to swim. It is ideal if you are comfortable snorkeling and being in deep water, but we can help you prepare if you are not there yet. We have had a wide variety of people from all walks of life join our expeditions — the most important qualities to succeed are a willingness to listen and learn.
What other species will we see on this trip?
Niue has some of the clearest water in the world because of the absence of rivers or runoff on the island, giving us incredible snorkeling opportunities over the reefs. In addition to many tropical reef fish species, we also have a chance of seeing green sea turtles and sea snakes (they are beautiful and not dangerous).
How do you approach interactions and what makes this trip unique?
Thoughtful trips focus on observing wildlife on their terms. We strive to minimize impact and invasiveness, which we believe also lead to more natural and meaningful encounters. We do this by working with local operators who are committed to being good caretakers for the whales and going to places like Niue which have sensible, well enforced whale regulations.
What happens if we do not see Humpbacks?
Patience is key. You should expect that there will be days we do not see any whales at all. That is all part of the experience and why this is a true expedition — the search is an important part of the process. Trust that patience is usually rewarded.
What other activities will we be doing?
Niue is breathtakingly beautiful both above and below water and our trip incorporates a number of excursions to experience this. We will likely visit attractions such as the Avaiki Cave, Matapa Chasm, Tavala Arches, Limu Pools, Togo Chasm, and Anapala Chasm. Our exact itinerary will depend on what the group is interested in and weather conditions, but this trip is designed for us to take full advantage of our time in this unique place.
How large is the group?
There will be a maximum of 5 guests on this trip. We will have two guides in the water, one in front of the group and one behind, to assist with anyone who needs support.
What gear and clothing should I bring?
The weather in Niue is warm and humid, averaging a comfortable 20-27°C during the day. Water temperatures will be around 25°C. Most people will feel comfortable in a 3mm or shorty wet suit.
We recommend bringing your own wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and free diving fins that you are comfortable with. Gear rentals are available for those who do not want to bring their own.
Rain is always a possibility, so please bring a rain/wind jacket.
You will also want to bring clothing appropriate for the short hikes and walks we will do on our land excursions: comfortable walking shoes, sandals or water shoes, and clothing that provides sun protection.