Sporty sail to Ha'apai Tonga to swim with WHALES | Ep 74

[@kennisjarvis8105]

Thanks for sharing. This whale experience must have been super exciting. 🐳 🐋

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

It really is!

[@Travelling_Jonoberries]

Shannon that was money well spent thank you for allow us to be part of this wonderful and amazing adventure, the underwater shots were magical. Well that’s another one to tick of the list, great to see that Captain Davis was doing some great whale spotting there. Take care, safe sailing and God Bless until our next episode 😇👍🙏⛵️🇺🇸

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

It’s hard to spend that much money on something but yes, looking back you can’t buy those memories! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@SailorChic]

What a great video! The whale filming was phenomenal. Best video yet!!

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Thank you very much! It was a difficult one to put together using multiple cameras but memories we will treasure!!

[@billyoung-jn1ow]

That was amazing footage. Mother nature at her finest. As you said Bucket List material.

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

It truly is an experience we will never forget!

[@pjcrow8973]

Wow, the whales were very cool. It must of been the best experience

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Yes. Definitely one of the best parts of our journey so far!

[@fraserwright9482]

I am liking your honest view of travelling, you seem to be finding your groove

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Thank you very much!

[@oldmancarvings]

Fantastic, thank you for sharing 😅

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Thanks for following our journey!!!

[@PaulLue]

Those whales!!! Amazing!

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

It really was!!😊

[@bobcrosby8998]

Another great video, we have whale watched in the Bay of Fundy/ Gulf of Maine a few times with our grand kids

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Awesome! It's pretty cool to see how massive these guys are and just how graceful they can be. Thanks for following our journey!

[@jamesfinn3930]

This has to be the most amazing, beautiful footage I've seen since watching the Sailing Zatara family swim with whale sharks off Western Australia. I don't know how I ever started watching their adventures, but it's thanks to them and a couple other families like them that I discovered your channel. I'm older and not entirely well, so I'm never going to be able to do what you're doing. But because of the ubiquity of high quality cameras and the Internet to distribute the video, I can in some sense go along with you on your travels. Obviously, I'm only receiving a tiny fraction of the experience you are, but it's still soul soothing and enriching. I thank you so much for sharing. I know you don't make these videos purely for altruistic reasons, but I just love how everything comes together so you can share. I sincerely appreciate it, and I wish you guys the very best in your travels.

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Thank you so very much for your kind words! It warms my heart that we can bring joy and happiness to others through our story! We are happy that you found us!😊

[@oldmancarvings]

Who determines no contact and how?😊

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

Each country has their own rules regarding contact with whales. The rules in Tonga require you to be with a tour operator who can control the experience. In French Polynesia, you can go in your own as long as you don't put the whale between the boat and a reef or something that prevents them from escaping. Some countries ban swimming with whales outright.

[@stephanieparent717]

Did you guys see Jack and Kate from Zatara while in Tonga? I believe they are doing the whale tours there.

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

We tried!!!! They were fully booked for tours and short staffed. We passed right by their resort 😊

[@stephanieparent717]

@@SailingParadiseFalls I figured as much! Not sure if zatara will be at the boat show in October, we were thinking about going but will wait for the Miami show! Safe travels

[@scottcounts4185]

How much was the ATM fee? Was there a fee for the conversion from USD to Tonga money?

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

In Tonga it was 12 Tongan which is approximately 6ish USD or less. We use Schwab so we don't get charged a conversion fee.

[@scottcounts4185]

@@SailingParadiseFalls thank you for the answer. now the next question. what is your future path. I am sure you will not be going through the Suez canal. so will you ship the boat to the Med or just skip the med and go around south Africa to the Caribbean?

[@larryrichards9418]

Can your next video comment on how Tonga is recovering from the Volcano/Tsunami? Thanks.

[@SailingParadiseFalls]

We were just leaving when it happened and everyone that we contacted on shore just felt mild shaking but no tsunami or damage. The main source was closest to Ha’apai where we had our whale swim and that resort had no damage reported.

[@larryrichards9418]

@@SailingParadiseFalls I meant the huge explosion from 2022. Thanks for the reply. I didn't even know about this most recent eruption.