A whale-watching boat carrying passengers has been involved in an accident in Vavaʻu today, raising fresh safety concerns following two other serious boating incidents in Tonga in recent weeks.
Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota told Kaniva News that passengers were on board the vessel when the accident occurred, but no loss of life had been reported.
Images from the scene, obtained by Kaniva News, show the stricken vessel partially submerged in choppy waters, with much of the boat sitting low beneath the surface and its canopy tilted into the sea.
Orange-red flotation or safety equipment can be seen around the vessel. Other boats carrying several people are also visible nearby, including one positioned close to the partially submerged vessel, as waves break around the boats.
Details remained limited, including how the accident occurred, how many passengers were aboard, and whether police were called to the scene.
The licensing status of the vessel involved in today’s accident has yet to be confirmed.
The latest incident comes after the Ministry of Tourism repeatedly sought to distinguish licensed whale-watching operators from other boating activities, clarifying that vessels involved in two recent incidents in Tonga were not licensed to conduct whale-watching services.
The Ministry’s clarifications followed concerns that the incidents could be associated with Tonga’s licensed whale-watching industry. One of the vessels was involved in an incident last month while carrying passengers, including Anglican Church members visiting from New Zealand.
One of those vessels was involved in an incident last month while carrying passengers including Anglican Church members visiting from New Zealand.
Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism subsequently said the vessel and operator were not licensed or authorised to conduct whale-watching and swimming activities.
The second incident occurred earlier this month and claimed the life of Vaiola Hospital nurse Siokapesi Hefa after a newly launched boat overturned during an outing.
The latest accident comes just over a year after the whale-watching vessel Tethys capsized south of Muʻamoa in Vavaʻu in August 2025. No casualties were reported in that incident, and the vessel was later towed back to port.
At the time, Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota had raised concerns about the need for closer inspection of some vessels operating in the area.
Kaniva News is seeking further information about today’s Vavaʻu accident, including the vessel’s licensing status and the condition of those who were on board.
