We value contributing to the research and conservation of the amazing wildlife we travel to these remote destinations to see, and also giving back to the local community.  Here are a few of the ways we do this.

Tonga

Tongan Fluke Collective

The Tongan Fluke Collective was started by Scott Portelli in 2014.  It is a collection of humpback whale fluke shots that are freely available to scientists and researchers.  The underside of an adult humpback whales tail, or “fluke”, is as unique as a fingerprint.  Scientists can use fluke photographs from all over the world to glean valuable information, which in turn, helps to inform conservation and protection of the species. Every season at Swimming With Gentle Giants, we contribute our fluke shots to science, and we encourage our guests to do so too. We also submit them to the global Happy Whale database.

Harbour Clean-ups

Take an hour out of your Sunday to join us for a harbour clean-up – and join a global movement to keep our waterways trash free!  Every piece of litter we collect is one less that will cause harm in our oceans.  We log the data about our trash into a global database, which helps in the fight against marine debris.

Supporting Local Schools & Library

The local community welcomes donations of beginners reading books for young children, as well as books for teenagers – all in English.  Do you have one at home your kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews or friend’s kids have finished with? If so, throw it in your bag, and it will be welcomed here by our local kids in Vava’u.  Blank exercise books are also welcome donations. If you bring donations, let us know and we will ensure they get to where they are needed.

A beautiful local dancer in traditional outfit in Tonga, photographed by Scott Portelli on tour with Swimming with Gentle Giants

Rolex Scholar Support

We support and provide opportunities for young people who are on a pathway to a career in an ocean-conservation, eco-tourism or science-related field.

Rolex Scholar Melanie Brown working on inputting humpback whale fluke photographs into the Tongan Fluke Collective

Norway

Norwegian Orca Survey

We contribute to the research, conservation and monitoring of the Norwegian Orca population.  We encourage you to get involved with this during you time with us, by photographing the grey saddle patch adjacent to the dorsal fin, and submitting them to the Norwegian Orca Survey.  These photos will be used to identify, track and learn more about these Orca’s lives.

Great Barrier Reef

Minke Whale Project

The Great Barrier Reef is the only known predictable aggregation site for dwarf minke whales in the world! This makes it an incredibly special place to visit.  Identification photos of dwarf minkes are greatly appreciated by the Minke Whale Project.  They research into dwarf minke whale biology and behaviour, the social and economic values of the whales and the sustainable management of swim-with-whales tourism.

Sea Legacy

Working with the Sea Legacy organisation, over the past few years to integrate campaigns to support the ongoing commitment to saving our oceans we have gained valuable insight and experience from the organisation on how to successfully document wildlife with the aim of capturing usable data that can support science and government. Our aim is to build a healthy future for our oceans through education.