Tonga
Tonga is an island kingdom in Polynesia, known for whale watching in Vava'u and for the Friendly Islands nickname.
Tonga is an island kingdom in Polynesia, south of Samoa and about 1,800 km from New Zealand's North Island. Its islands form three main groups, Vava'u, Ha'apai and Tongatapu, spread roughly 800 km from north to south. The capital, Nuku'alofa, sits on Tongatapu, the largest island at about 257 sq km. Captain James Cook received a warm welcome on his first visit in 1773, which is where the Friendly Islands nickname comes from. The country is a constitutional monarchy and was never colonised.
Tonga suits travelers who want a slow pace, time on the water and quiet days. Vava'u is known for whale watching, game fishing, surfing and beaches. The tropical climate is warmest from December to April, and the cooler May to November months are the more comfortable time to visit. The official tropical cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. Sundays are a day of rest, when commerce and entertainment stop. Tourism is modest, with under 90,000 visitors a year, so facilities outside the main towns and resorts are limited.
Five things to know before Tonga
- Carry an onward ticket and your booking
UK and Canadian passports get a visitor visa on arrival for up to 30 days, free for UK passports. Officers can ask for an onward ticket, funds and accommodation. Check other passports with Tonga immigration. Visas and entry
- Book whale swims months ahead
Swimming with humpbacks is a licensed activity with a limited number of operators and places. Peak weeks from August to September book up early, especially in Vava'u.
- Plan for a Sunday with almost everything shut
Sunday is a day of rest by law. Shops, most tours and many flights stop, so plan a church visit, a feast or a lazy day at your guesthouse.
- Cover shoulders and knees in public
Tongan dress is conservative. Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees in town and villages, and it is against the law to go shirtless in public places.
- Leave slack between islands
Domestic flights and ferries between Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u change with the weather. Keep a spare day before your international flight home.
Tonga travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa on arrival, onward tickets and passport validity.
Read the guideTravel insuranceWhale swims, sailing and evacuation cover.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights and ferries between the island groups.
Read the guideMoneyPa'anga, ATMs in the main towns and cash for islands.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- TOP 50
- Food
- TOP 30
- Transport
- TOP 10
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- TOP 150
- Food
- TOP 75
- Transport
- TOP 40
- Sights
- TOP 50
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- TOP 300
- Food
- TOP 150
- Transport
- TOP 100
- Sights
- TOP 250
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, cyclone riskJanuaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 297 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°WettestFebruaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Wet, cyclone riskMarchRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 366 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cyclone risk
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Showers easeAprilRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers ease
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°DrierMayRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Dry, mildJunePartly cloudy
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low22°Whales arriveJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales arrive
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Whales, dryAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales, dry
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low22°Whales, peakSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales, peak
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Whales, warmOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales, warm
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°Warm, showersNovemberRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Nuku'alofa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Tonga
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 39 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Nuku'alofa
09:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°22°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed25°22°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu25°21°6%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri25°22°10%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat25°21°16%Saturday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun25°21°16%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 09:08 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.391 TOP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Tonga FAQ
Do I need a visa for Tonga?
UK and Canadian passports get a visitor visa on arrival for up to 30 days, free for UK passports. Carry an onward ticket, proof of funds and a passport valid for 6 months. Check other passports with Tonga immigration.
When can you swim with whales in Tonga?
Humpback whales are in Tongan waters from about July to October. Only licensed operators can take swimmers, and group sizes in the water are limited.
Vava'u or Ha'apai for whales?
Vava'u has the most operators, sheltered water and more places to stay. Ha'apai is quieter and simpler, with fewer boats.
What happens on Sundays in Tonga?
Sunday is a legal day of rest. Most businesses close and few flights operate, so expect a quiet day and consider attending a church service for the singing.
How do I get to Tonga?
Flights land at Fua'amotu on Tongatapu, mostly from Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane and Nadi. Domestic flights then connect to Vava'u and Ha'apai.