FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
List of Services
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Do I need to be able to scuba dive?List Item 1
Answer:
No not for this trip, we will be snorkeling with the whales.
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What food is included?List Item 3
Answer: All main meals are included, you will need to just buy your own snacks and drinks.
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How do I pay for my snacks and drinks?List Item 4
Answer: You can pay at the end via credit card.
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What is the weather like?
Answer: It will be Tonga's winter when the whales arrive. The days can be quite warm, usually sitting somewhere between 24-28 degrees Celsius but you must also be prepared for some colder weather.
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How many hours are spent on the boat and where does the boat leave from?
Answer:
The boat leaves from out the front of the resort. It is just a quick walk. Unless the tides are too low in that case we meet a little further down the beach -a 10 min walk You will be on the boat for usually about 5 hours each.
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What are our chances swimming with whales?
Answer:
They are wild animals so we can never give 100% guarantee but we do everything possible to maximise the chance of swimming with them. We do 5 days on the water for this reason. We can say that so far we have never taken a tour that hasn't swam with the whales and some even swim on all 5 days. So the chances are high.
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Seeing as the island is popular for kite surfing, does this mean that it's quite windy?
Answer:
The eco resort is located on the leeward side of the island with lots of trees in between the resort and the wind. The trade winds come from the south east and the resort is located on the west side, so it is has the best of both worlds.
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What do I need to bring?
Answer:
Before your tour, we will be providing you with a detailed trip bulletin and itinerary, but here is some suggestions of what to bring... Beach towels (bath towels provided), toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, medications, headlamps/torches, rash vests, hats, reef shoes, rash vest or shorties. Mosquito nets are provided in the fales.
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Why is this resort called eco?
Answer:
Fanifo Loa primarily use solar energy for our accommodation. All fales and dwellings are made entirely of timber to create a low impact and to be as ecologically sound as possible. They have created composting toilets instead of septic tanks. Through research and understanding the environment we know that composting toilets have less impact to the land than a septic tank which can leak and spoil the richness and beauty of the land. An integral part of the tourism we will offer is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the Tongan local community. We want to improve awareness, sensitize them to environmental issues, and care about Tonga's local environment.
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How is this eco retreat sustainable?
Answer:
Fanifo Lofa's primary focus is on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. They understand that the local flora, fauna and cultural heritage will be the primary attractions. The retreat aims to offer visitors insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of Tonga's natural habitats.
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How do we get from Ha'apai airport to the resort?
Answer:
You will be picked up from the Ha'apai airport by car transfer. Then it's a very short drive to the wharf where a boat will take you the half an hour trip to the island of Uoleva. You may get your legs wet when you disembark on the island so we find its a great idea to wear shorts or something that is ok to get wet (just incase).
