Alan Bowe/humpback whale conservationist and Tonga region diving guide.

Alan Bowe is a Kiwi maverick. Having retired from the rat race at the tender age of 40, Alan decided to upsticks and settle in on the remote and tiny Tongan island of Mounu- a wild pig and two bottles of vintage rum later Alan and his wife Lynn have built an idylic retreatand together have pionered humpback whale diving and conservation in Tonga.

A man who is not afraid to speak his mind in the interest of marine conservation, along with his eldest daughter kirsty he is dedicated to preserving the fragile aquatic birthing grounds of the southern humbacks and the pristine ecology of his adopted island home. In his characteristic "to the point" manner Alan details his acheivments below...

"Malo e lelei.

Allan Bowe Age 61 and counting. I was 20 years in the advertising industry in N.Z. and the Far East. Retiredat 40 and went commercial fishing for 3 years to gain sea time for charter boat skippers ticket. Pioneered long range fishing/diving charters to the Three Kings group of islands off the top of N.Z. Arrived in Tonga in 1992 and pioneered swimming with whales commencing operations in 1993. Instrumental in forming the Tonga Whale Watch Operators Association and drafting Regulations that have been approved by Government. Loves Mt Gay rum.

Kirsty Bowe Age 33 Eldest daughter. Qualified fishing deckhand. Travelled extensively with a F1 racing team. Completed a number of off-shore passages. Been guiding whale swimming for over 5 years. (and much better looking and no beard!!)