A collection of tropical islands in the southern Pacific Ocean (Polynesia) between Fiji, Samoa, and the Cook Islands are known as the Tonga Islands (Pule’anga Tong). When Europeans first arrived in 1616, they found these Polynesian-populated islands. The islands were initially discovered in 1521 by two Dutch ships under the command of Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire. Later, the archipelago was visited by English captain James Cook in 1773. He named them Friendly Islands after the kind people he encountered.
As well as the three main archipelagos (Tongatapu, Ha’apai, and Vava’u) and many smaller islands (Niuatoputapa, Nioufo’ou, and Tahi), the state of Tonga consists of around 150 islands full of magic, wildlife, and stunning landscapes.

Book a Tonga trip now with New Paths Expeditions and discover a new world of natural wonders! Email us at expeditionadvisor@npexpeditions.com and start planning your voyage now

TONGA HIGHLIGHTS

 Time and Weather

Tonga has a tropical marine climate. There are two different seasons in the islands’ climate: a colder one from May to November with less rain and a warmer one from December to April with more showers. The average maximum temperature in Nuku’alofa’s capital is 29 degrees Celsius from January to August, while the average minimum temperature ranges from 23 degrees Celsius from February to 18 degrees Celsius from August.

Between December and March, the rains are at their heaviest. The rainiest months of the year are here: March and February.  The yearly average humidity is around 75% and Tongatapu’s surrounding seas have temperatures ranging from 23°C to 27°C.

The best time to visit

Some times of year to visit Tonga are better than others, depending on your goals!

If you’d want to do scuba diving or snorkeling, you may do it here. You may see a wide variety of marine life up and personal while diving or snorkeling in Tonga. The most incredible season to go snorkeling is from June to October, when the weather is less rainy and has greater visibility

In Tonga, there is no optimum time to go surfing or kayaking. Whether you choose to spend an early morning learning to surf or heading out on the kayaks, there is no wrong time. Kayaking and surfing are great year-round activities. 

There is no ideal time to see Tonga’s attractions since traveling is enjoyable throughout the year! Among the must-see attractions are the Ha’amonga Maui Trilithon, the Hufangalupe Natural Land Bridge, and the Ancient Royal Tombs of Lapaha, to name a few! Traveling to Tonga with New Paths Expeditions will provide you the chance to stay in authentic Tongan huts along the beach, enjoy whale watching, and learn about the local culture all at the same time! Reserve your spot today!

Wildlife

Traveling is about more than just taking in the scenery, getting to know the people, and soaking up some sun. It’s a rare chance to see some unusual wildlife, such as colorful birds and massive whales. Tonga is also home to large fruitbats, a bewildering diversity of coral and fish, and stunning birds.

Swimming with whales, Tonga’s most well-known wildlife encounter, is an extraordinary and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Swimming with whales in Tonga is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up and personal with some of the world’s largest mammals during the humpback whale migration season, which runs from June to October each year.

In Tonga’s warm tropical waters, snorkeling and scuba diving are must-do activities because of the stunning seascapes and the abundant marine life. The underwater world of Tonga is home to hundreds of different kinds of fish and coral, including turtles, reef sharks, big pelagic fish, manta, and eagle rays, to name just a few. Tonga’s island groups offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities.

It is possible to see the endangered Pacific flying fox near the town of Kolovai on Tongatapu, Tonga’s largest island. You may observe this giant bat species in colonies hanging from trees around the hamlet on the eastern side, designated sanctuary.

While Tonga’s marine life gets all the attention, the country also has a diverse population of birds worth seeing. Among the most incredible sites to go bird watching is on the northern Vava’u Group’s Maninita Island. Around 19 bird species, including the rare Tongan whistler, may be seen on a boat excursion from Mounu Island Resort or Mandala Island Resort.

The ‘Eua National Park, Tonga’s largest national park, offers additional opportunities for bird viewing. Here on Tonga’s oldest island, the rainforest shelters many unusual land birds such as red dazzling parrots, Pacific pigeon, red-crowned fruit-doves, Polynesian triller, and wattled honeyeater.

Also, the south coast of ‘Eua contains another birdy hotspot. Laku Fa’anga Cliffs are home to many seabirds, and a self-guided tour will let you see several of these seabirds in flight, such as brown boobies, brown and grey noddies, and white terns.

Pigs are everywhere in Tonga, whether they’re in the wild or just crackling on a spit roast. However, the Fishing Pigs of Mu’a are the most well-known. They may be seen dipping their heads in the water to “fish” for food on the mudflats of this hamlet on Tongatapu’s eastern side.