why
travel
with us

EXPERIENCE. APPROACH.
INTENTION

ABOUT US

The Human – whale encounters is a multi-sensory experience, a reciprocal exchange between us and the whales. We believe that human- whale exchange can help cultivating a sense of care, transform human understanding & restore our connection with the whales and the ocean. Ever since our first whale encounter in 2010 we have been on a continues journey of heart expansion and our mission is to share these whale moments with others and help increase awareness and understandings of the extraordinaire of whales and at the same time, their fragility.

WHY TRAVEL

WITH US

EXPERIENCE. APPROACH. INTENTION

We have been operating since 2010 under the strict regulations set by the Kingdom of Tonga and hold a licenced permit. We believe that the human – whale exchange can help in resorting and healing our relationship with whales and the oceans. We are committed to continue prioritizing the wellbeing of the whales and only initiate encounters that are safe and reciprocal for all participants.

The Human Whale Encounters is a family-run business, founded and operated by husband and wife, Erez Beatus and Alegra Ali Bahar.

ALEGRA ALLY

VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGIST. DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILM.  SES EXPLORER OF THE YEAR. THE EXPLORERS CLUB FELLOW & AWARDEE. FOUNDER WOMBSPHERE PROJECT AND WHALE-ENCOUNTERS.

Alegra holds an (MRes) in research, Masters in Anthropology, Masters in Documentary filmmaking.

Alegra Published her thesis based on years of field observations in the topic Human- Whale Interactions in Ha’apai, Tonga: Does the Intersubjective Exchange Create A Unique Reciprocal Experience for the Participants?

Alegra Ally is a visual Anthropologist, author, speaker, and a SES Explorer, currently based in Australia. Her long-term project “Wombsphere” explores the themes of cultural and environmental change in the context of, motherhood and reproductive justice. Her ability to produce photographs with profound emotional resonance and sensitivity earned her the Explorers Club’s Scott Pearlman Field Award for her expedition: ‘Women at the End of the Land’ in 2016 which resulted in the book “New Path- A Window into Nenets Life” published by Schilt publishing. In 2020, Alegra received the Gough Explorer of the Year Award for Medical Aid & Research for her Expedition ‘A Journey to the Origins of Midwifery’ to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.

Alegra’s work has been published by The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Shackleton Journal, The Walt Disney Society, Sidetracked, Ocean Geographic, The Telegraph, Refinery29, British Journal of Photography, and more. Keynotes includes Cambridge and Oxford Expedition Society, King’s college London wilderness medicine society, Explorers club headquarters, various midwifery departments and Photography schools.

She graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney with a master’s of research with focus in Anthropology. She is about to complete her second master’s degree in Documentary Filmmaking from Steve Tisch and produces her first short Documentary Film in Colombia.

EREZ BEATUS

FREEDIVING WORLD RECORD HOLDER. UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER. CONSERVATIONIST, HYDROTHERAPIST

Erez is a world record Freediver, photographer, public speaker and conservationist currently based in Australia. Erez has been professionally involved in freediving since 1997 and has been the trainer of the Israeli freediving team for many years. He has held the world record for the deepest unassisted freedive and numerous national records. 

He is the head of Apnea International and the director of Apnea Australia, and has taught over 2500 students globally from beginners to master instructors. 

Erez is a Hydrotherapist with years of experience in Hospital settings as well as a speaker with clients from varied fields such as sports teams, Banks, IT companies and medical institutions. 

As a photographer, Erez thrives to capture the beauty of our oceans while raising awareness to pressing conservation issues. 

Erez is a certified whale swim guide, awarded by the Tongan ministry of tourism.