The incredible experience you ‘must add to your bucket list’

One month you’re donning your wetsuit to swim alongside humpback whales off a remote island in Tonga, and the next you’re off to the Arctic Circle, on an expedition tour to find orcas.
It sounds like something out of an adventure movie, but it’s the life of Carmen Ellis, the Managing Director of Majestic Whale Encounters.
What started as a fascination with the ocean and marine life from a young age has turned into a decade of running wildlife tours all over the world, from Norway to Tonga and Antarctica to French Polynesia.
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“I would spend hours reading books about them and I’d go whale watching at every chance I got,” Carmen tells 9Travel, from Tonga where she is currently leading another whale swimming tour.
“One day, years ago I heard that you could swim with whales in Tonga and I knew that this was the path I needed to take. In 2013, I founded Majestic Whale Encounters with my sister Sarah Cullen.”
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One of the newest tours they offer is in Norway, and Carmen was lucky enough to be on their inaugural expedition last year.
“It is honestly one of my most cherished expeditions and one that you absolutely must add to your bucket list,” she tells us.
“On our last tour, a family of orcas approached us, and each of them cruised by and slowly checked us out under the water. It was fascinating to see the curiosity of these creatures, which so many fear.”
She said other highlights travellers could experience are the Northern Lights, husky sledding, and meeting reindeer.
Another tour that holds a “special place” in her heart is the Rurutu Tour on a remote island in Tahiti – recently the home of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games surfing competition.
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“We’re lucky enough to visit this idyllic hidden island each year with its rugged yet stunning landscape, great for hiking and climbing. I love this tour, as Rurutu is so peaceful and isolated from the rest of the world.
“Of course, you can also swim with humpback whales and dolphins.”
Getting up close and personal with a giant whale can seem daunting, but Carmen says they are “gentle giants”.
”They are just curious about us. However, it is important to respect the animals and their space, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding sudden movements to ensure their comfort and safety,” she explains.
Carmen says their goal is to run tours in a way that is ”socially conscious and responsible”, ensuring they have minimum impact on the environment and the animals.
“Our experienced guides know how to interact with whales in a way that is safe for both you and the animals, and we emphasise the importance of approaching the encounter with both the whales’ wellbeing and the preservation of their natural habitat in mind.
“This ensures everyone, including the whales, enjoys the encounter and fosters a deeper appreciation for our marine environment and the creatures who call our oceans home.”
Carmen says nothing beats your first encounter with a whale.
“The excitement, anxiety, and anticipation in the lead-up, followed by the total calmness and feeling of awe that hits you as a whale approaches – that stays with you for the rest of your life.”