2025 Sacred Island

Whale Adventure Retreat

Our 2025 whale swim retreat date is 

September 8th to 16th 2025

This is intended as a spiritual deep dive for whale lovers. It is when the mother whales have newborns age 2 weeks to 8 weeks.  It includes a special beach party celebration for Tahu Ua's birthday (the baby whale Jimmy our co-host saw being born last season).

Our retreat is happening on Eua Island (pronounced Aywah) it 2.5hrs by boat from mainland Tonga.

Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own return flights to Tonga Tapu the main island which can range from $550 to $950 depending on when you book.

We will advise the flights to book, if you choose an alternate flight you would need to cover your own airport transfers

The retreat cost includes

Airport transfers

Tonga Tapu accommodation

Transfers to Eua Island by Charter boat

Camping or cottage accomodation on Eua Island

Transport on Eua Island

2 x Humpback whale swims

(Can be paid in usd cash when you are on island)

All activities including 

Spirit Tree jungle walk

Cave adventure

Mauis Spearhole

Wild Horses

Umu celebration

Quigong/yoga/somatic movement

The retreat includes an evening meal, breakfasts, lunches and snacks are not included.

 The cottage has cooking facilities and there is a basic camp kitchen with cups, plates, curlery etc. There will be opportunities to purchase groceries and local produce on the mainland before we depart for Eua and there are several small local stores on the island.

2025 Retreat pricing is in NZD

9 day retreat per person

*price is for activities listed above

plus your choice of accommodation

Earlybird rates below!

(Valid until July 30 2025)

CAMPING $2800 (b.y.o tent)

COTTAGE QUEEN room

single occupancy $3500pp

COTTAGE QUEEN room

shared/couple $3200pp

SINGLE BED twin share room $3200pp

KIDS $2800 each Camping or cottage

Deposit to confirm is $500

*Take $1000 off price above (for whale swims) and pay in usd ($600usd) when you are on the island.

Payment plans available

Trip must be paid in full 4 weeks before departure 8/08/25

Trip is non refundable

Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to weather events and health insurance is highly recommended.

You will need a valid passport and to check if you need a visa.

*We would ask that you keep information about the island private, we are working with locals to protect the island and whales and work towards its sustainable development.

Please feel free to call with any questions. 

We have no doubt that this trip will be life changing for all attendees and we will do our utmost to care for everyone so they have a positive experience. That said this is not luxury trip, more of an adventure on a remote island.

All activities undertaken are at your own risk.

Please get in touch asap if you are interested this trip will seĺl out!

We can send through the suggested flights. Retreat daily schedules are listed in the drop down tab under 'frequently asked questions'.

Can you feel the sacred island calling?

Its time to meet the whales and gather

with your tribe.

Best wishes

Lyndal and Jimmy

Your tour hosts

 + 64 021 2644 622 

Sacredislandretreats@gmail.com 

The Sacred Island of Eua

Our retreat is happening on Eua (pronounced Aywah) Island 2.5hrs by boat from mainland Tonga.

This ancient 40 million year old island  waa inspiration for the Avatar movies. Yes, the Spirit Tree is there a 1000 year old Strangling Fig tree in fact there are two a grandmother and grandfather tree. The island also features Mauis spearhole a huge hole in the cliffs where wild horses roam. There is an abundance of fresh coconuts and papayas and lots of local produce available. We have a swimmable beach below our campsite however the island can be rocky and reef shoes are advised.

The island is undeveloped (no restaurants, cafes or big resorts) where we stay has a lovely campground with share facilities and a small basic cottage, just above the beach.

This is not a luxury island or a luxury retreat. It is a raw deep dive into the beauty of nature and island life and our retreats are for adventurers.

Swimming with Whales

Swim with whales, create lasting memories. 

The Tongan whale 'tribe' has 3000 whales that visit each year. to birth their young and then take them back to Antarctica.

The whales are protected and strict rules apply for swimming with them, however with professional local native guides we are often able to spend time underwater with the whales who are as equally curious about us and we are about them!

At this time of year we are in Tonga July - September they will have newborns up to 6 weeks old with them.  We only swim with the whales in the morning until 2pm so in the afternoons they can rest and feed their young.

Please note all participants in the whale swims need to be able to swim at least 100m in open water using a snorkel, mask and flippers. They must follow instructions from our guides. We cannot touch the whales or dive below the surface at them. These are the international rules. Whales are wild animals and there are no guarantees that they will interact with swimmers. However on our last trip we swum with whales every single time and also saw them regularly from land.

Snorkel, mask, wetsuits and flippers are provided with the whale swims, however we encourage participants to bring their own well fitting mask and snorkel as sizes differ.

2 x Whale swims are part of our 2025 Adventure Retreats.

Extra whale swims are $300usd each. We can book extra whale swims for you if you wish to swim more than 2 x with the whales 🐋