Essential Travel Guide to Visiting Tonga

I’m a massive fan of the TV show Survivor. I decided I wanted to have my own Survivor-type experience, so I went to an island in Tonga with no electricity and virtually no other people. A remote island in Tonga with no electricity and no other tourists (only 3 locals on the island). That’s what I experienced in the middle of the rainy season. Now that’s an adventure.

About Tonga

This post about travel to Tonga was originally written by Kate of 30Traveler who no longer blogs. It has not been updated for travel advice to Tonga.

The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands stretched over 500 miles lengthwise, 52 of which are inhabited. The main island of Tongatapu is a 3-hour flight north of Auckland, New Zealand. The total population of all the Tongan islands is only around 100,000 people. Tonga is the only nation in the South Pacific region never to have been colonized, and because of this, travel to Tonga provides a very authentic cultural experience.

Moreover, flights to Tonga from New Zealand are very affordable; however, internal flights within Tonga are expensive.

Volcano Update

On Saturday, January 15, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano caused a tsunami, resulting in extensive damage to Tongatapu and other nearby islands. Infrastructure and communications have been damaged. Follow the media for further updates.

Unique Aspects of Tonga

As previously mentioned, Tonga is the only nation in the region never to have been colonized. Because of this, it retains a very authentic local culture and feels very safe. The capital feels like a very small town in New Zealand. I even caught lifts with strangers a few times in Ha’apai, a practice I have never done anywhere else. Finally, the Tongan people are extremely friendly.

Island Groups of Tonga

The Tongan Islands are divided into four island groups.

Tongatapu

This is the island where the capital, Nuku’alofa, and international airport are located. Nuku’alofa resembles a very small town and is considered primarily a jumping-off point for reaching other locations in Tonga. If you seek great beaches without taking additional internal flights, then Rarotonga in the Cook Islands would be a better option instead of Tonga.

Ha’apai Group

This is where I went, additionally spending a few days in Nuku’alofa. The flight to Ha’apai takes around 40 minutes, and the cost was similar to my international flight to Tonga. I traveled on a six-seater plane and sat directly behind the pilot. My only co-passengers were a Catholic sister and a teenage girl. Flights operate most days, with no flights allowed on Sundays in Tonga. The flight schedule changes frequently, so don’t plan interisland travel on the same day as your domestic flight.

Vava’u Group

This is where most tourists go. Interisland flights from Tongatapu to Vava’u are even more expensive than those to Ha’apai (however, you can get a pass that allows travel to multiple island groups). A main attraction for visitors to Vava’u is swimming with whales, which occurs from June to November. Consider that this is Tongan winter, so temperatures won’t be super high, averaging lows in the mid-60s and highs in the mid-70s.

‘Eua Island

This island, located off Tongatapu, can be reached by ferry or flight. It’s known for hiking rather than beaches. You can trek and hike on ‘Eua and watch Tongan men training for rugby in the park in Nuku’alofa.

Foa Island, Tonga

I also spent some time on Foa Island. I stayed in a bungalow at a place called Matafonua run by an expat family, who were extremely kind. If you want to settle down on one beach, then Foa Island may be a good choice. However, walking around is limited. I was initially nervous about whether Uoleva would be too adventurous, making it reassuring to have an alternative with more comforts (like electricity). I enjoyed visiting the local food market in Nuku’alofa, which showcased what 100% seasonal eating on a tropical island feels like.

Places to Stay in Tonga

Tongatapu

On Tongatapu, I stayed at Sela’s Guest House, which provided a very authentic local experience. Most guests were Tongans visiting from other islands, alongside a few backpackers. As a New Zealander, prior to last year, I hadn’t ventured to other Pacific Islands (except for Australia and Hawaii). I wanted to explore more of my own neighborhood. Not wanting to follow the crowd, I chose Tonga.

Expect shared facilities, along with the typical issues that might arise. It’s an easy walk to town, with a fridge and clean kitchen available for guest use. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a bowl of mangoes picked fresh from the tree.

The price range is approximately $20-35 TOP (Tongan Paanga), keeping in mind that you might hear roosters crowing outside, with a resident kitten present during my stay.

Ha’apai Group

Budget: If you need to stay in Lifuka (the island where the Ha’apai airport is located), consider Eveloni’s Guest House as an option. For a unique experience, visit Uoleva and stay at Diana’s Resort, which has no electricity and is quite basic. The resort is managed by an older Tongan couple. Staying here gives the feel of being on Survivor, but it’s delightful. The cost is around 35 TOP/night (20 USD), and you can also bring your tent and pay a small fee to camp. Diana’s Resort will arrange the boat, costing about 35 TOP each way (approximately a 15-minute trip).

Mid-range: Matafonua Lodge is located on Foa Island, which connects to the island that Ha’apai airport is situated on via a causeway. During my visit at the height of the rainy season, I successfully negotiated a lower rate than what was advertised online, due to significant rainfall causing several flight cancellations.

Vava’u Group

Though I did not visit the Vava’u group, other travelers consistently recommended Port Wine Guest House. Once you arrive in Vava’u, you will need to travel to other islands for beach access, as Vava’u itself serves primarily as a departure point. This all involves navigating smaller islands in the Pacific!

Know Before You Go – Tonga Travel Tips

• Tonga is significantly more expensive than Southeast Asia but less expensive and less developed than many other Pacific Islands.
• The currency is Tonga Paanga (TOP). Money changers at Tongatapu airport offer better exchange rates compared to banks in New Zealand or using ATM cards.
• Even in the capital, options are quite limited due to its small scale.

Travel to Tonga – What You Need to Know

I arranged a boat ride from Lifuka Island, the main island of Tonga where Ha’apai airport is located, to Uoleva. There were no other tourists present, as it was the rainy season, only four locals on the entire island. It was a remarkable place to decompress! All I had was a kerosene lamp, along with my own food, my mum’s Kindle, and plenty of torch batteries. The weather was exceedingly wet—definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Getting to Tonga Travel Tips

Timing your travel to Tonga can be challenging. As mentioned, temperatures are quite cool during winter (May to November), but this period is generally dry. Conversely, summer (October to March) is marked by the rainy season, with heavier rainfall typically occurring between December and March.

• Virgin Australia and Air NZ both offer flights from Auckland, with specials often available at reasonable rates each way. Check Air New Zealand for deals.
• Virgin Australia also flies from Sydney.
• Air Pacific provides flights from Nadi and Suva.
• Find the Tonga international flight schedule here: International Flight Schedule.
• Check the domestic flight schedule here: Domestic Flight Schedule.
• Domestic flights can be pricey, as Chatham Pacific holds a monopoly. An airpass is available if you’re visiting multiple island groups: Chatham Pacific Kingdom Pass.
• A weekly ferry operates to/from Ha’apai from the capital, but a major fatal ferry disaster occurred on this route a few years back.
• Many travelers prefer to fly to ‘Eua since it can be accessed by ferry.

Places to Eat in Tonga

Hot Tip: Bringing your own food is a common recommendation for parts of the Pacific; for example, that’s what Kiwis often do when they visit locations like Rarotonga.

Tongatapu

– Purchase seasonal fruit at the Nuku’alofa market.
– Friends Cafe is a charming cafe that serves and sells Tongan coffee.

Ha’apai

It is advisable to bring your food if staying in Ha’apai at locations other than Matafonua. The dining options at Matafonua are quite good; they source crayfish locally and have a bread maker for making pizza bases. All food, except for meat and root vegetables, is transported into Ha’apai, leading to EXTREMELY limited food selections. Fresh fruits and vegetables are NOT available, partly due to soil conditions.

Vava’u

The Vava’u group is significantly more developed than the Ha’apai group, thus you won’t need to bring your food when visiting there.

As a New Zealander, I hadn’t visited any other Pacific Islands (besides Australia and Hawaii) until last year. I wanted to discover more of my own neighborhood, and opting for Tonga proved to be the right choice!