What You Need to Know About Niue’s Whale Season
For around three months a year each year, humpback whales make an amazing journey from the Antarctic to Niue’s waters in order to breed and calve. This gives visitors in Niue a unique chance to not only watch whales metres from shore but to swim with these gentle giants in their element. Find out how you could be taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime activity in this guide to the whale season in Niue.
Plus, while you’re here, you might also be interested in The Guide to Swimming with Whales in Niue.
The Whale Season in Niue
So when is the whale season in Niue? The whale season is typically from July to September, but whales can sometimes be seen as early as June to as late as October. However, you should always aim to be in Niue between July and September if you want to see whales.
Learn more about timing your visit in Niue to see whales in The Best Time to Swim with Whales in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comWhale Watching from Shore
One of the amazing things about whale watching in Niue, and something that surprises many visitors, is the fact that you can see whales less than 100m from shore! Niue’s surrounding reef quickly drops into the deep blue, where whales are seen as close as 20m to shore in some parts of Niue. With this incredible opportunity, many accommodations on the island have their own whale watching decks, while there are even some whale lookouts signposted along the west coast road.
Top Whale Lookouts in Niue
- Tomb Point
- Makefu Sea Track
- Ana’ana Point
- Hikutavake Sea Track
Accommodations That are Good for Whale Watching
- Scenic Matavai Resort
- Lau’s Getaway
- Clifftop Fale
- Namukulu Cottages
- Koliki Lodge
- Breeze
- Anaiki Motel
- The Restoration Reef
For a full list of whale watching sites and where to find them, see the 10 Amazing Lookouts for Watching Whales in Niue and the 8 Accommodations You Can Watch Whales from in Niue.
(c) Niue TourismWhale Watching and Swimming Tours
Get an even closer encounter with Niue’s gentle giants on one of the whale tours available! Close encounters with humpback whales in Niue are only available with licensed operators, allowing you to not only watch whales closely from a boat but even get into the water with the whales if the conditions are suitable. Niue has a strict set of guidelines for interacting with whales in order to keep both you and the whales safe, so while whale swimming is not always a guarantee, it’s a life-changing experience if it happens.
Whale Tours in Niue
- Magical Niue Sea Adventures
- Niue Blue
- Explore Niue / Fish Niue Charters
- Niue Fishing Charters
- Paul Pasisi Charters
For more information on each tour, see the 5 Best Whale Tours in Niue.
(c) Niue TourismMore Tips on the Niue Whale Season
To improve your chances of a good whale interaction, here are a few tips we can share:
- Whale swimming tours are best done between July and September
- The minimum age for swimming with whales is 10 years old with some operators and 12 years old with others
- Seeing whales is never a guarantee
- Plan time in your Niue itinerary for multiple whale swims to increase your chances of a good interaction
- The best time for watching whales from shore is in the morning.
For elaboration on each tip, as well as more tips, see the 10 Tips for Whale Watching in Niue.
More About the Whale Season in Niue
