Least Concern· population increasing· assessed 2018

Humpback whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Sighting evidence at Mariners Cave Tonga, Vava'u, Tonga

Photo: owl1031 · CC BY-NC

Southern humpback whales migrate from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warm sheltered waters of Vava'u each year between July and October to give birth and nurse calves. Tonga is one of very few places in the world where in-water observation is legally permitted under strict approach guidelines. Adults reach 16 metres and 30 tonnes; calves born in these waters will make the full round-trip migration within their first year.

Evidence at this site

4 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Sep 2025

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Humpback whale

Evidence at this site

Seasonality

Also seen at other sites