{"title":"Expeditions","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmall-group ocean expeditions with Freedive Aotearoa — designed for those who want to go further, dive deeper, and experience the ocean in places most people never reach. Maximum 8 guests per trip, led by New Zealand's most experienced freediving school.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNiue Ocean Escape 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e (28 August – 4 September 2026): seven nights freediving with humpback whales on their annual Pacific migration. Based at a private cliff-top lodge on Niue's limestone coastline, with 50m+ water clarity, daily whale and reef sessions, and three private freediving coaching blocks. Limited spots; flights depart Auckland.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpcoming expeditions also include the Kermadec Islands research voyage and our Bay of Islands Multi-Day Adventures. Enquire early — expeditions sell out 6+ months ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"niue-ocean-escape-2026","title":"Niue Ocean Escape 2026 — Swim with Humpback Whales · 28 Aug – 4 Sep","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeven days. Eight people. The clearest water in the Pacific.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⚡ \u003cstrong\u003eLIMITED AVAILABILITY\u003c\/strong\u003e — Only 1 spot remaining\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeparting Auckland 28 August 2026, returning 4 September 2026.\u003c\/strong\u003e Private Lodge, Namukulu Village · All diving, adventures, accommodation and breakfast included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNiue is one of the last truly wild ocean destinations on earth. Water clarity past 50m. Deep drop-offs metres from shore. Humpbacks on their annual migration. Spinner dolphins on the coastline. Sunsets that fall directly into the Pacific from our cliff-top base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't a tour. It's an immersion — for eight people who'd rather have one extraordinary week than three good ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Niue\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot crowded. Not commercial. Not overdeveloped.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater clarity regularly exceeds 50m\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumpback whales pass through from July to September\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpinner dolphins along the coastline year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep walls and reef structure close to shore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA population of 1,600 people on the whole island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere you'll stay\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShared Lodge — a private cliff-top property in a seaside Village. Three room types, private terraced grounds, all-weather whale-watching fale, uninterrupted ocean views. Evenings are spent on the deck reviewing the day, sharing meals, winding down into island rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose your room type below — bunk room (shared), double room (twin share), or queen room (twin share).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Exact daily schedule weather-dependent — the ocean leads.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 nights accommodation at our Lodge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 licensed humpback whale swim experiences\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 spinner dolphin and reef tour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 scuba dive OR private freediving coaching session\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 freediving depth sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 pool \/ technique sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaily breathwork and mobility sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional Niuean feast night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaily continental breakfast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAirport transfers and private transport on island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocal guidance to Niue’s swimming holes and hidden gems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's not included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights (Auckland → Niue)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required — we can recommend providers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLunches and dinners (Niue has good local options, ~NZD $30–60\/day)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal spending and gratuities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho's leading it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSacha Williamson — SSI Freediving Instructor Trainer, 25+ years of professional ocean work across 45 countries, including UN and AusAID Pacific infrastructure projects. Pacific waters are where Sacha learned to dive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePricing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBunk Room (Shared) — $4,800 NZD per person\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble Room (Twin Share) — $5,400 NZD per person\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQueen Room (Twin Share) — $5,800 NZD per person\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBooking \u0026amp; payment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e$500 deposit secures your spot\u003c\/strong\u003e — pay now, balance due later\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalance due 10 weeks before departure (1 June 2026)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance is mandatory — book this when you book your flights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull \u003ca href=\"\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003erefund and cancellation policy here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill we definitely see whales?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe can't promise the ocean. We can promise we’re there in peak migration window with licensed operators and the best chance you'll get. Most weeks see multiple encounters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if I don't want to swim with whales?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe whale swims are optional — you can stay on the boat or skip the day. No reduction in price (the costs are baked in regardless).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI’m a scuba diver, not a freediver — is this for me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. There's a scuba option built in and the freediving sessions will teach you skills that improve every scuba diver. Many divers do both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolo traveller — what’s the room situation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBunk room (shared, mixed) is $4,800. Twin-share doubles and queens are $5,400–$5,800 sharing with another solo or partner. If you want a room to yourself, contact us for single-supplement pricing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s the food like?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaily breakfast included. Niue has 6–7 restaurants — a coffee shop, fish and chips, a Thai place, and incredibly good island food. Evenings are your own — join the group or take a quiet night for yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety \u0026amp; accreditation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Niue water activities run with licensed Niuean operators. Freedive Aotearoa is AdventureMark certified, Qualmark accredited, and operates under a WorkSafe-aligned Safety Management System. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/health-safety\"\u003eRead our safety standards →\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.divessi.com\/training\/freediving\"\u003eAbout SSI →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpots are limited. Choose your room type below — or \u003ca href=\"mailto:info@freedive.co.nz\"\u003eemail Sacha\u003c\/a\u003e with any questions before you book.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fa-faq\" style=\"margin-top:36px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-weight:900;font-size:26px;color:#23323F;margin:0 0 18px;\"\u003eNiue Ocean Escape — FAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"background:#eef4f4;border:1px solid rgba(27,78,114,0.12);border-radius:12px;padding:0;margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:16px 18px;font-weight:700;color:#1B4E72;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"\u003eWhen does the Niue Ocean Escape expedition run?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 18px 16px;color:#3f5059;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.65;\"\u003eThe 2026 expedition departs Auckland on 28 August and returns 4 September 2026 (New Zealand dates — Niue sits just across the International Date Line, so local dates on the island run a day behind). We're based at Kaliki Lodge in Namukulu Village, Niue.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"background:#eef4f4;border:1px solid rgba(27,78,114,0.12);border-radius:12px;padding:0;margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:16px 18px;font-weight:700;color:#1B4E72;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"\u003eWhat's included in the Niue expedition?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 18px 16px;color:#3f5059;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.65;\"\u003eAccommodation, licensed humpback whale swims, freediving sessions, dolphin swims, and continental breakfasts. International flights, travel insurance, and lunches\/dinners are not included.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"background:#eef4f4;border:1px solid rgba(27,78,114,0.12);border-radius:12px;padding:0;margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:16px 18px;font-weight:700;color:#1B4E72;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"\u003eDo I need to be an experienced freediver to join?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 18px 16px;color:#3f5059;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.65;\"\u003eNo — you don't need a freediving certification. The prerequisite is simply being a confident swimmer. All in-water sessions are coached, and the whale swims run with licensed Niuean operators.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"background:#eef4f4;border:1px solid rgba(27,78,114,0.12);border-radius:12px;padding:0;margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:16px 18px;font-weight:700;color:#1B4E72;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"\u003eHow many people go on each trip?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 18px 16px;color:#3f5059;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.65;\"\u003eVery small groups — just five people per trip, so every day can flex around the group and the ocean. We currently have one last-minute spot available for the 2026 departure.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"background:#eef4f4;border:1px solid rgba(27,78,114,0.12);border-radius:12px;padding:0;margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:16px 18px;font-weight:700;color:#1B4E72;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"\u003eDo I need a visa to travel to Niue?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 18px 16px;color:#3f5059;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.65;\"\u003eVisa requirements depend on your passport nationality — get in touch and we can help guide you through what's needed for your specific passport.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"When does the Niue Ocean Escape expedition run?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 2026 expedition departs Auckland on 28 August and returns 4 September 2026 (New Zealand dates — Niue sits just across the International Date Line, so local dates on the island run a day behind). 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