Humpbacks in Niue
Migrating Humpback whales in the spectacular and remote South Pacific
September 5th - 13th, 2025
Learn more about our Niue experiences
Humpbacks in one of the most spectacular locations in the world
It’s hard to describe just how amazing Niue is.
During the Humpback migration it is possible to see mothers with calves and escorts on the shallow reefs near shore, mating heat runs, groups interacting with each other, and incredible pass-bys with individuals, pairs, and trios.
With luck, we may even have the extraordinary experience of seeing a male Humpback singing underwater, feeling the vibrations pulsing on our bodies. An unforgettable experience.
With some of the best water clarity in the world and equally spectacular sights on land, Niue is an ideal place to experience Humpback magic.
Well regulated whale interactions in crystal clear water
With only one or two flights a week into the island, there is an effective “cap” on how many visitors are usually on the island at a time. This remoteness means that Niue rarely feels crowded.
Niue also has some of the most sensible whale regulations in the South Pacific, and the crews we work with are meticulous in how they approach and interact with whales. This makes for a more sustainable and enjoyable experience in the water — for both us and the whales.
Experiences
5 days searching for migrating Humpback Whales
Snorkeling over coral reefs with some of the clearest water in the world (40-80m visibility) and swimming through the “Belly of the Whale” cave
Hiking past volcanic landscapes and through a narrow slot canyon to reach a hidden “beach” at Togo Chasm
Swimming in the crystal clear waters of the stunning Limu Pools, Avaiki Cave, and Matapa Chasm
Seeing the stunning Tavala Arches as we pass shallow tide pools and walking down the steps to Anapala Chasm
Itinerary
Our trip will include a wide variety of water and land activities to make the most of our time in this extraordinary place.
Dates:
September 5th - 13th, 2025
Pricing: $4,900 twin sharing, single room supplement available.
Group Size: 5 guests maximum
Travel: The only gateway to Niue is through Auckland, New Zealand. There is a date change when flying between Auckland and Niue because we are crossing the international date line, so please look at your flight dates carefully.
Please arrive into Auckland on September 5th or earlier
Book these specific flights to go to Niue:
To Niue: Sept 6th - NZ 936 / AKL - IUE / 9:05 - 13:30
Back to Auckland: Sept 12th - NZ 937 / IUE - AKL / 14:45 - 17:35
We will arrive back in Auckland Sept 13th at 17:35 and departure flights home are possible after that time.
Included: All scheduled water and land activities, whale talks, accommodation in Auckland and Niue, breakfast, airport transfers
Excluded: Flights to Auckland and Niue
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Fly into Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand, where you will be picked up and taken to our hotel in downtown Auckland. The drive will take about 30 minutes.
Given that there are only 2x flights a week from Auckland to Niue, we recommend that guests arrive into Auckland early to avoid potential travel disruptions.
After you settle in, we will have a trip briefing covering what to expect on our trip, how we will manage interactions with the whales, and our schedule for the week.
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We will have breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport to catch flight NZ 936 to Niue (9:05 - 13:30).
Note: We will land in Niue on September 5th because we are crossing the international date line.
On arrival in Niue we will transfer to our resort, where we will settle in, have dinner, and prep our gear for our first whale day tomorrow.
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Our first whale day! Our morning whale session will go from approximately 8am - 12pm as we search for migrating Humpbacks.
Our afternoon will be free to rest and settle in to Niue, with an optional stop to get a Niuean driver’s license for those who want a souvenir.
(Note: We are still on Sept 6 because we crossed the international date line)
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There are no water activities allowed on Sundays in Niue as people go to church, so we will take this opportunity to explore the island.
We will walk through Avaiki Cave and swim in its clear pools, snorkel the pristine waters in the Matapa Chasm slot canyon, and then walk past shallow tide pools to see the Tavala Arches.
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A double whale day with water sessions in both the morning and afternoon.
We will pre-order lunch at the resort restaurant beforehand so that we can eat in between water sessions.
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In the morning we will take a snorkeling tour with a focus on Niue’s beautiful coral reefs and unique swim throughs such as the “Belly of the Whale” cave.
In the afternoon we will go out on the water again in search of whales.
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A flexible morning in which guests can choose to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Limu Pools, go on an optional scuba dive, or sleep in and relax.
We will be going out in the afternoon in search of whales.
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Our last whale day! Let’s enjoy every moment of it.
In the afternoon we will explore two of the most spectacular sights on Niue — crossing volcanic landscapes to reach the hidden “beach” in the slot canyon at Togo Chasm and walking down the steep steps to see the dark Anapala Chasm.
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A relaxed morning soaking up our last moments in Niue before heading to the airport to fly back to Auckland on NZ 937 (14:45 - 17:35).
Note: We will be crossing the international date line again, so we will land on Sept 13th.
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We will land back in Auckland at 17:35 and guests can now fly home.
Accommodation
Twin sharing rooms are included, with single rooms available for an additional supplement.
Niue: Our resort is perched on a clifftop right above incredible reefs, and we can often see and hear whales passing by. Rooms are comfortable, wifi is reliable, and there is a beautiful pool and bar area for relaxing in. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves a variety of different cuisines.
Auckland: On arrival into Auckland we will spend one night at a well located hotel in the city’s Central Business District, near sights such as the Sky Tower, Queen Street, Wynward Quarter, and waterfront.
Booking Details
Ready to go on an incredible adventure?
Learn more about our Niue experiences
Learn more
Questions?
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The trip is US$4,900 twin sharing.
Our payment processor allows you to pay by bank transfer or credit card in your local currency (GBP, EUR, etc) if that is more convenient.
This includes all activities, accommodation, airport pickup, breakfast and lunch.
Single room supplements are available for an additional charge.
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The only gateway to Niue is through Auckland, New Zealand. There is a date change when flying between Auckland and Niue because we are crossing the international date line, so please look at your flight dates carefully.
Arrival into Auckland
Please arrive into Auckland on September 5th or earlier
Flying to Niue from Auckland: Book these specific flights to go to Niue:
To Niue: Sept 6th - NZ 936 / AKL - IUE / 9:05 - 13:30
Back to Auckland: Sept 12th - NZ 937 / IUE - AKL / 14:45 - 17:35
Departure flights home: We will arrive back in Auckland Sept 13th at 17:35 and departure flights home are possible after that time.
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You will have to apply for a New Zealand Entry Authorization (NZETA) before coming through the free app or online. This costs NZ$17 and may take up to 72 hours to process.
You will also have to pay New Zealand’s NZ$100 tourism tax as part of this process.
You MUST apply for a NZETA before you come to New Zealand, even if you are from a visa exempt country.
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There will be a maximum of 5 guests on this trip.
Everyone is welcome. You have to be comfortable with swimming over deep water. Reach out if you have concerns and we can discuss what makes sense for you.
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All scheduled water and land activities
Whale talks
Accommodation
Breakfast
Airport transfers
Guide
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Flights to Auckland and Niue
New Zealand NZETA fees
Lunch, dinner, snacks & drinks
Gratuities
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Click the green “Book Now” button to submit your deposit for the trip.
You can also reach out to us at alex@thoughtfulexpeditions.com or by filling out the informational form below.
You can pay by credit card or bank transfer using the currency you prefer. (The trip is quoted in USD, but it is possible to pay in EUR, GBP, and other major currencies)
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Water temperature in Niue will be between 25-26 C. Most people find it comfortable to wear a long sleeve rash guard or thin wet suit. (I personally wear a 5mm wet suit top and board shorts).
We recommend bringing your own mask, snorkel, and free diving fins that you are comfortable with.
Gear rentals are available for those who do not want to bring their own mask, snorkel, or fins.
The weather in Niue is warm and humid. Average temperature will be around 25 C and short rain showers are possible.
You may want to bring clothing appropriate for the short hikes we may do on our land excursions: water shoes, shoes appropriate for ~30 minute forest walks
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A $1,500 deposit will be required to secure your spot on the trip.
The remaining balance will be split over 2 payments due 120 and 90 days before the trip begins.
Our payment processor charges no fees for bank transfers, and a standard 1.5% - 2.9% fee for credit cards.
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Unfortunately, there are no cancellations within 90 days of the trip starting.
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We are always happy to talk about trip, answer questions, or offer recommendations.
Please reach out to:
Instagram: @alexpham.underwater
Contact form below