Humpback Whale

Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga floats in the heart of the South Pacific, east of Australia. Made up of more than 170 islands, it enjoys a warm and stable climate that makes it comfortable throughout the year.

As the night sky, glittering with stars, began to pale with the first light, I stretched and prepared to dive. With my underwater camera, mask, snorkel, and fins in hand, I made my way to the dock. Boarding the boat, we set out into the vast, clear blue ocean. I watched the wave crests, searching for signs of life - my sights set on the humpback whale.

From August to September, whales that migrate as far as Antarctica come to these waters to raise their young. To see them, I would need to dive into the sea. The first time I saw a whale underwater, I was struck by its sheer size - so much so that I felt fear. But with each encounter, that fear gave way to awe and wonder. Humpback whales can grow up to 15 meters long, yet they rarely pose any threat to humans.

One day, I came across a mother and her calf. The mother rested near the ocean floor, while the calf, unable to hold its breath for long, surfaced again and again to breathe. Adult whales often swim away when people get too close, but calves are curious. They approach without hesitation. Though just a baby, the calf was five meters long. It swam toward me repeatedly, and I had to swim with all my strength just to keep my distance.