Welcome to Niue

Niue Welcome Packet

Important Next Steps

Trip Plan

Accommodation

Packing List

Trip Leader Contact

Expedition On-Boarding Form

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 with your travel details and insurance information

☐ Accept the Liability Waiver

☐ Let us know if you need rental gear: wetsuit, mask, fins, or snorkel

Trip Plan

  • Modern high-rise hotel building with glass facade, named Hotel Grand Chancellor, with showroom or lobby visible on the ground floor, adjacent to other apartments or condos, with street and trees in front.

    Day 1 - Arrive into Auckland & Trip Briefing

    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.

  • An aerial view of a coastal resort with multiple buildings surrounded by lush green trees, a rugged rocky shoreline, and turquoise ocean water with waves crashing onto the shore.

    Day 2 - Fly to Niue & Check into Resort

    Travel to Niue

    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 prepare for our first whale day tomorrow.

  • Day 3 - First Whale Day & Humpback Talk

    Whale Day

    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.

  • View of a beach seen through a natural rock arch formation, with a smaller rock arch in the background and the ocean, sky, and clouds in the sky.

    Day 4 - Avaiki Cave, Matapa Chasm, Tavala Arches

    Land Excursion Day

    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.

  • Two humpback whales swimming underwater close to the surface.

    Day 5 - Double Whale (Morning & Afternoon) Day

    Whale Day

    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.

  • A small inflatable boat with two people, one standing and waving, is docked near a concrete pier. A crane hook hangs above the boat. The background features lush green trees and palm trees along a shoreline under a cloudy sky.

    Day 6 - Morning Snorkel Tour & Afternoon Whales

    Whale Day

    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.

  • A narrow turquoise water channel between large rocky cliffs with green vegetation, under a cloudy sky.

    Day 7 - Limu Pools & Afternoon Whales

    Whale & Land Excursion Day

    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.

  • Tall palm trees grow between steep rocky canyon walls, with sunlight peeking through. A small stream flows over rocks at the canyon floor.

    Day 8 - Morning Whales & Togo Chasm

    Whale & Land Excursion Day

    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.

  • Tropical beach scene with palm trees, blue ocean, and partly cloudy sky

    Day 9 - Fly to Auckland & Say Goodbye

    Departure Day

    After breakfast and enjoying our last moments in Niue, we will be taken to the airport to fly back to Auckland. We will arrive in Auckland at 5:30pm.

An aerial view of a coastal resort with buildings surrounded by trees on a rocky cliff, overlooking a beach and the ocean with waves.

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. 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

Trip Leader

Man sitting on a boat smiling after scuba diving, with a scuba mask and underwater camera, wearing a long-sleeve shirt and floral shorts, in the ocean.

Expedition Guide
Alex Pham
+1 (714) 305 0088
alex@thoughtfulexpeditions.com

Backup Contact in Niue
Jana Barclay
+683 4311
jana@niueblue.com

Important: Niue On-Boarding Form

We cannot wait to share this amazing experience with you.

To help us finalize logistics, please fill out this expedition on-boarding form accurately and completely.