Humpback Whales Return to Niue Waters

Whale season has begun in Niue with the first sightings of migrating humpback whales in Niue occurring in the last few weeks.

Niue is on a humpback whale migratory path meaning each year the island is blessed with these gentle giants who arrive in Niue’s waters to calve and nurse their young.

Since the initial sighting, many more whales have arrived and tour operators have started to take visitors out to swim with them. Niue Island is one of the only places in the world where visitors can swim with these majestic animals. It is frequently described as a once in a lifetime experience.

This amazing experience was rated as the number one activity in the South Pacific by Lonely Planet writer Brett Atkinson after his up close snorkeling encounter in Niue with a whale and her calf.

Because Niue is an atoll, its deep waters mean visitors don’t have to head out to sea to see these gentle giants – they swim within 50 meters of the shore providing a spectacular show.

Guests at Niue’s Matavai resort are often treated to the spectacle of whale gymnastics while they enjoy dinner on the resort deck. At night, the whales are so close to the shore their calls have been known to keep people awake.

The whales are one of the major attractions for boaties as they are often right in the mooring field. Boaties are treated to amazing sights such as mothers basking on the surface with their calves and can drift off to sleep listening to the whales sing to each other in the bay.