The Pacific Islands kingdom of Tonga is a tourist destination almost without equal. This group of islands is the epitome of your childhood dreams about being shipwrecked on a desert island and living a Robinson Crusoe type of existence. Tonga consists of three main groups of islands where you can find a modern holiday resort to stay at. Geographically, Tonga lies south from Samoa, east from Fiji and west from the Cook Islands. It is right in the middle of the best of the Pacific Islands. Regular flights from Australia and New Zealand bring tourists direct to Nuku’Alofo which is the capital and lies on the southern island of Tongatapu. The King of Tonga lives on Tongatapu and has his palace there. Nuku’Alofa is the best place to stay and Tongatapu has a lot to explore. There is the Anahulu stalactite cave, the Stonehenge of the south Pacific known as Ha’Amongaa”MauiTrilithon and some magnificent blowholes along the coast caused by lava tubes cooling after some past volcanic eruption.

To the north of Tongatapu is the Ha’Apai group and the town of Lifuka is the main town. Beautiful resorts can be found at Foa on Lifuka. The islands here are volcanic in origin and the scenery is truly fantastic. The diving locations are almost endless through these islands with a maze of coral reefs, crystal clear waters and unimaginable visibility. Similarly, the islands themselves provide a panorama of white sandy beaches, turquoise coral lagoons and hillsides covered in rainforests and valleys with waterfalls, swimming holes and fast running streams.

In the north of the Tongan archipelago is the Vava’u islands. This group provides one of the best protected waterways anywhere in the South Pacific region. Here, coral lagoons, landlocked harbours and a myriad islands provide an aquatic playground that has no equal. It is home to a bareboat charter industry so you can come and cruise the best of the Pacific Islands without having to bring your own boat. Crewed charter boats are also available if you don’t want to do your own thing and the local crews have the advantage of knowing all the best spots. Neiafu is the main town in this region and you will also find some unforgettable land based resorts as well. The Tongan Beach resort at Utungake Island is reasonably priced and in a superb beachfront location. The northern islands are serviced by a ferry service as well as flights from Tongatapu.

Tonga is a divers paradise. There are so many fantastic dive sites among the many islands that you wont know where to start. Humpback whales migrate to the waters around the Vava’u group every year to calve and mate. This happens between the months of July and November each year and this is probably the only place in the world where you can swim with the whales. The clarity of the water is the big bonus here as you will be able to experience this awesome event in perfect clarity. There are a number of local boats here that offer whale watching and snorkelling trips.

Tonga is the undisputed leader is these types of holiday activities, so take a break and come and enjoy Tonga for your next holiday.

Tonga Photos

Tonga Tourism