Welcome to Niue
Preparing for Your Adventure
We can’t wait to share this incredible adventure searching for Humpback Whales in Niue with you. To prepare for our trip, please make sure you have completed these important steps:
Important Next Steps
☐ Apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) and pay your New Zealand tourism fee
☐ Confirm you have booked flights to Niue from Auckland
☐ Fill out the Expedition On-boarding Form (bottom of this page) if you have not done so yet
☐ Accept the Liability Waiver form sent to your email
☐ Let me know if you need rental gear: wetsuit, mask, fins, or snorkel
Trip Plan
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Day 1 - Arrive into Auckland & Trip Briefing
Friday, Sept 5th
Arrival day. We will meet at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland in the CBD to check into our rooms. In the evening there will be a trip briefing covering what to expect during our week and how we will approach our Humpback whale encounters.
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Day 2 - Fly to Niue & Check into Resort
Saturday, Sept 6th (arriving on 5th)
We will be transferred to the airport for our 9am flight to Niue. We will arrive on the 5th because we are crossing the international date line. On arrival we will check into our rooms at the resort, have dinner, and get ready for first whale day tomorrow.
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Day 3 - First Whale Day & Humpback Talk
Saturday, Sept 6th
Our first whale day! After breakfast at our hotel we will spend the morning searching for Humpback whale interactions and then have a free time in the afternoon. In the evening we will have an optional talk about Humpback whales.
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Day 4 - Avaiki Cave, Matapa Chasm, Tavala Arches
Sunday, September 7th
There are no water activities on Sunday in Niue, so we will explore some of the most unique attractions on Niue: swimming through the aquamarine waters of Avaiki Cave and Matapa Chasm, and exploring the Tavala Arches.
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Day 5 - Double Whale (Morning & Afternoon) Day
Monday, September 8th
We will have a double whale session today. After our morning whale tour we will have a quick lunch and then go back out again in the afternoon. In the evening we will have another talk on the history and current state of whales.
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Day 6 - Morning Snorkel Tour & Afternoon Whales
Tuesday, September 9th
We will do a snorkel tour in the morning to explore some of Niue’s coral reefs and unique attractions like the “Belly of the Whale Cave”. In the afternoon we will go out again to search for whales.
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Day 7 - Limu Pools & Afternoon Whales
Wednesday, September 10th
In the morning we will swim at the Limu Pools, a beautiful set of natural pools on the northern coast. After lunch we will go out in search of Humpbacks.
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Day 8 - Morning Whales & Togo Chasm
Thursday, September 11th
In the morning we will go out for our last whale tour of this incredible trip. After lunch we will hike to Togo Chasm, a beautiful slot canyon with a ladder at the end to reach a sandy beach hidden inside.
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Day 9 - Fly to Auckland & Say Goodbye
Friday, Sept 12th - Saturday, Sept 13th
After breakfast and enjoying our last moments in Niue, we will be taken to the airport to fly back to Auckland. We will arrive at 5:30pm on Saturday, September 13th, from where guests can then fly home.
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
The first night of the trip will be spent at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland, a well-located, full-service hotel in Auckland’s Central Business District. It’s within easy walking distance of the Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour, and main transport links. The hotel also offers a small gym, pool, and restaurant on-site for those who’d like to use them.
Hotel Name: Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Address: 80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, 1010 New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 888 6868
Niue: Scenic Matavai Resort
Once we arrive to Niue we will be based at the Scenic Matavai Resort, the island’s only full-service resort, perched on a dramatic clifftop with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. You'll be staying in their Pacific Rooms, located in the main resort complex with direct access to the restaurant, pools, and oceanfront terraces. With luck you may even spot humpback whales right from your balcony or the pool.
Resort Name: Scenic Matavai Resort Niue
Address: Tapeu-Porritt Road, Tamakautoga, Niue
Phone: +683 4360 or +683 4368
Packing List & Gear
Water
Swimsuit (long sleeve rash guard also recommended)
3mm or shorty Wetsuit (available to rent if you don't want to bring your own)
Mask, snorkel, and fins (available to rent if you don't want to bring your own)
Weightbelt
Reef-safe sunscreen
Optional Items
GoPro or similar camera
Dry bag to keep your personal items dry on the boat
Quick drying microfiber towel
Motion sickness or seasickness tablets
Water bottle
Land
Flip flops or sandals (or water shoes)
Comfortable walking shoes (enough to do 30 min - 1 hr walks)
Windbreaker / jacket
Sun hat & sunglasses
Umbrella
Power adapter for Australia / New Zealand style plugs
