The deep Tongan Trench lies to the east of this South Pacific island nation where the big draw is a possible encounter with the humpback whales that migrate to these warm waters every year between July and November to mate and give birth. Strict protective measures have been put in place to ensure that the whales’ natural behavior is not disturbed. The diving in Vava’u is equally exciting year round with dramatic underwater land- scapes including caverns, caves and tunnels as well as reefs, wrecks, and walls covered in soft corals and sea fans.