Last summer, Arksen Adventures and 10% for the Ocean traveled to Vava’u, Tonga, alongside National Geographic Explorer Zuzu Askin . This expedition supported the advancement of humpback whale research as part of a collaboration led by Ocean Science Expeditions and Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Filmmaker and Ocean Culture Life Storytelling Grantee Carter Kirilenko joined a small team of creatives to produce ŌSENI. This short film captures a journey of exploration and discovery, documenting a shared effort to reconnect with the ancient stories of the ocean and its humpback whales.  

Throughout the mission, the team collected skin samples, fluke-IDs, behavioural data, and environmental DNA samples. These efforts were designed to gain new insights into the lives and health of humpback whales across the region.

Watch the film below.

Tonga Dive Adventure 2026

Join us from August 01 to August 08, 2026, for an eight-day immersive journey to the protected lagoons of Vava’u. Led by adventure photographer Harper Dammann Smith , this expedition offers the rare opportunity to swim with humpback whales during peak breeding and calving season. You will spend six days on the water witnessing mothers and calves while staying at a boutique island villa with a private chef and participating in specialized photography workshops.

This adventure is deeply connected to 10% for the Ocean, a global initiative founded by Arksen to close the funding gap in marine conservation. By joining the 2026 expedition, you support a movement that directs capital toward high-impact research and ocean recovery, ensuring the protection of the marine ecosystems you explore.