Tonga Tribe Testimonials
"I am quite selective when it comes to wildlife encounters and will not go on a trip with just any operator/guide to see marine life. Çassie didn't just meet my expectations, she exceeded them in ways I never could have thought of. Her passion for creating a special experience for trip guests is unmatched.Each detail is intentional and carefully planned in a way to provide the best experience for all involved.
Safety of the whales and guests was the highest priority. Encounters were never promised or forced. Instead they became such special and meaningful moments beyond what dreams are made of. I will never get over my first day on the water with a special mother and calf pair. The feeling when a mother becomes comfortable enough to rest with her calf in your presence is truly indescribable.
Beyond the whales, the people who made the trip possible were each incredible. Our skipper Tonga seemed to have a sixth sense to be able to find whales without stressing them. Our swim guide Lome had a special ability to connect with the whales like she personally knew each one. She helped us to ensure each encounter was respectful and truly led by the whales at a safe distance. Our host family went above and beyond providing a safe and comfortable place for us to stay. They each poured their hearts into welcoming us with a genuine care I have never experienced before from people I just met.
I could not have created a better trip if I tried. The connections I made with both wildlife and the amazing people I met were nothing short of magic. Words can never fully describe it properly. I went for adventure and left with a new family.
If you are looking for a fun, safe, and ethical way to meet the humbacks of the South Pacific, Cassie and her team are without a doubt the best to trust your experience to."
-Dani K. - August 2025 x 2
(USA)
"In 2022 we got engaged, and along with the planning of our wedding came the planning of our honeymoon. It was the perfect occasion to dream big: we had the savings and the right “excuse” to check some large boxes in our bucket lists. I had been wishing that swimming with whales was a possibility for a long time, and my husband is a fan of nature and animals, so he was more than sport for it.
One thing lead to another and we realized we could make it to Bimini with her for the last excursion of 2023, and then follow Cassie to the first excursion to Tonga a couple week later. It was a bit crazy, since we are from South America and it was a long distance from one place to another, but we added a couple of stops in between (made some other smaller dreams come true on the way), and our 33 day honeymoon plan was drawn. Cassie is amazing and she was very willing to help us with the planning, we even had a video call.
August 2023 came and we started the adventure: one Eras Tour stop later we arrived at Fort Lauderdale to embark with the group on our charted flight to Bimini.
Good company and organization is what is to be said about Cassie’s excursion to Bimini. The transport, the stay, and most importantly, the amazing swims we had with spotted and bottlenose dolphins, stingrays and sharks, were our first experiences with water activities and marine fauna interactions. I can say we are spoiled forever, nothing less will do. Choosing a highlight is hard, we started at a shipwreck and got some great advice for underwater photography that was very useful for the upcoming interactions with animals, and had some talks about wildlife encounters and expectations. Cassie is great giving instruction in how to behave during drops and she really gives her all so people can have amazing moments with wild animals.
Spotted dolphins are incredible creatures that gave us very active swims and so much to see we decided to put down the cameras to live the moment. They are fast, charming and engage in play, particularly if you follow recommendations, since all behavior is easier to interpret for people with experience. It was a blast, and it gave us some (much needed) previous experience for the big game that was Tonga.
A trip around New Zealand (or shall I say Middle-Earth?) after we arrived in Vava’u for what was supposed to be our “we did this incredible thing once in our lives” but instead became “we will need to do this as many times in our lives as we manage to save for” story.
Seven days in Tonga are seven days in paradise, don’t let anyone fool you, that’s what it is. The island is full with this quiet but sooo alive otherworldly energy. People are kind, loving and welcoming, and it’s easy to make friends amongst hosts and other travelers in and out of the group, which adds to the good experience. Getting to spend seven hours a day out in the boat makes for maaaaany chances to swim with humpback whales (the best of whales is you ask me, haha). We got multiple drops with mom and calf pairs a day, some with mom, calf and escort during the week, a few singers and even a heat run, so: a lot of opportunities to be present in the moment without distraction, and also drops in which get lots of photos and videos.
The crew and Cassie are truly great at their jobs, they find whales and make sure the interactions are respectful and safe for everyone. It goes unsaid that Cassie is amazing at recording and photographing, so if our material was not great, or we felt like leaving the cameras behind, we always had memories of the day. And the whales, oh the whales - insert dreamy sigh here -, the whales are almost impossible to describe (language barrier aside). They dance with such grace, and look right into your soul, it feels like you left this world and are diving in magic instead of Pacific waters. I don’t think the universe has much more to offer. If life changing, deep amazement, and a renewed sense of hope is what you’re looking for: you’re looking for a swim with whales in Tonga.
We will be forever thankful to Cassie for making the realization of these dreams possible, they were more than we hoped they’d be, and that is saying a lot."
-Agus & Fran - August 2023.
(Uruguay)
"In 2019 I saw a random video of this girl swimming with humpback whales that completely resonated with my early dreams in life - I sent Cassie a message and a quick reply showed me that was a matter of time to make my dream come true! Really???
And it finally happened…
I knew it was going to be huge, I knew my heart was going to explode, I knew it was going to be a dream coming true right in front of my eyes. The very moment I sat on the boat ladder, seconds before jumping in the water with humpback whales for the first time in my life, I was already crying inside my mask overwhelmed by the grandiosity of the experience that was about to unfold inside me and in front of my eyes...
I felt so honoured and blessed because the whales allowed me to be in the water so close to them, breathing the same air, sharing the same space and moment in time, looking in and being looked back straight in the eye... Watching their behaviour and listening to them sing, feeling a very raw connection with them and the planet we live in... The humpback whales - the Guardian Angels of the Sea and now, the Guardian Angels of my Soul.
Together, Cassie, my friends together and me lived and witnessed moments that will be with forever with us.
Thanks Cassie to suddenly appear in my social media waking up my oldest dreams and making them real - I LOVED my WHALE THERAPY and I can’t wait to take another dose!"
-Flavia J. W. - September 2023.
(Australia)
"I am still reliving out my Tonga whale experience on a daily basis and it has been nearly two months since we departed. Cassie’s whale encounter has profoundly changed us all. Tonga, the people, the geography, the epic dinosaurs of the ocean, all have transformed us. I can’t recommend this trip enough, in fact, we are all working on a plan to return. From the moment, I “met” Cassie on her Instagram post during Covid, I knew in my gut we needed to get to Tonga somehow!
It is difficult to convey how these encounters have transformed our lives from the moment we experienced the gentle giants of the Pacific. The humpbacks are mesmerizing, majestic, and the most gentlest teachers letting us know we are such a tiny part of our world. We couldn’t believe being part of the undersea world with these gentle giants literally 9 minutes out of the harbor in Vavau’u on day 1!
From feeling like we were privy to undersea Jurassic Park dinosaurs (humpbacks) in person and live, to snorkelling opposite a mother humpback with baby circling for over twenty minutes, the dreams happened every day over and over! Cassie, Lome, and Tonga were an epic crew who made it their priority to provide an experience of a lifetime! We cannot wait to return!"
-Sarah L. - August 2024
(USA)
"My trip to Tonga to swim with the Humpback whales, organized by Cassie, was an unforgettable experience and hands down one of the coolest things I've ever done! The small group size and impeccable organization made for a seamless adventure. Cassie's thorough communication ensured we were well-informed about the plan, requirements, and expectations.
The Tongan boat captain, Tonga, and guide, Lome, were careful to follow all the regulations and made sure we approached the whales in a way that was safe and respectful, prioritizing both our safety and the whales' well-being. Their approach reflected extensive knowledge and profound respect for these magnificent creatures which allowed us to experience the majesty of humpback whales in their natural habitat, while maintaining the highest standards of responsible wildlife tourism.
To top it all off, we were hosted by a wonderful local family who took great care of us, while still giving us the privacy we were promised."
-Amruta K. - September 2024.
(USA)
"I had the most amazing time on the water with Cassie, Lome, and Tonga. Everyone is super chill and the whale encounters are the best thing I’ve seen or done!! Can’t wait to get back in 2024.
Once you’re off the boat and chilling at the house with Isa, the whole family, and Cassie, everyone relaxes and just goofs around. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Cassie and her team!"
- Nic S. - August 2023, September 2024.
(Australia)
My wish came true🐋❤️! I swam with whales in Tonga, whoohoo! It was incredibly magical to experience this. In one day, the whales were literally everywhere!
The captain chooses which whales we'll swim with. First, they observe the whale's behavior. Then the tour guide takes a look in the water... your adrenaline starts flowing... can I, can I... and then you hear: yes, go, go... and then you jump in. In no time, you're face to face with a gigantic whale. Wow!
We saw heat and runs, mother and calf several times (the calf is like a big puppy, so curious and happy he/she wants to come and see you).
You're also well taken care of with delicious food and a great stay!
Highly recommended!!!!
Enjoy!
-Luc N. - August 2025
(Netherlands)
"This was one of the best experiences of my lifetime. The magical moment when we entered the water with the first mom and calf. Then we were able to do this over and over with each time being more special. Our boat crew Lome and Tonga, and the family at the Pineapple house are totally amazing!!! It was so great I’m going back to do it all over again❤️🐋❤️"
-Joyce M. - September 2023, September 2024, September 2025
(USA)
