Tonga Tours

Is a Tonga Island Tours on your travel bucket list? Our Tonga tours explore the long and interesting history of the Kingdom of Tonga that goes back over 3,000 years.

Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1773, it became known as the Friendly Islands due to the welcoming reception it gave him. It is the last remaining monarchy in the South Pacific, which has stretched back over 1,000 years. Tonga is well known for its hospitality and has a rich culture including dance, music, art and food that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Tonga Island tours

Our Tonga tours take you to its archipelago of 176 islands where you can find untouched beaches, amazing coral atolls, active volcanoes, deserted islands, national parks, caves, authentic local villages, rugged mountain ranges and virgin rainforests.

It boasts a wealth of marine life that can be easily explored on a guided fishing expedition, sea kayaking trips, snorkelling, or swimming with turtles. We also offer Tonga whale swimming tours, chat to one of our friendly travel consultants today to find out more.

With so much to see and do on our Tonga tours, you're bound to have an amazing time. Tonga whale tours are extremely popular - just make sure you don't forget to relax and enjoy the island life on some of the many postcard beaches.

If you're looking for travel inspiration, head over to our blog which provides excellent insight into our many travel destinations.

More information about Tonga tours

Do you want to know more about Tonga and its beauty? Or do you need accurate visa information?

Contact the Tonga tourism board for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best month to visit Tonga?

Generally speaking, May to October is considered the best time to visit Tonga - there are variations across the archipelago: the northern islands, including Vava’u (June to September); the central islands of Ha’apai (May to October); and the southern islands of Tongatapu and ‘Eua (May, October and November).

What should you wear in Tonga?

It is important to dress respectfully in Tonga. Tongan law prohibits being in a public place without a shirt. You should cover up your legs and shoulders when you are not on the beach.

Can you drink the tap water in Tonga?

In most areas of Tonga, the water is generally safe to drink. The water quality is variable in undeveloped areas. If you do want to be ultra-safe, you should drink the bottled water.

What is the official currency of Tonga?

The currency used in Tonga is the Tongan pa'anga, which is subdivided into 100 senti.

How do I plan a trip to Tonga?

Planning a trip to Tonga isn’t as hard as it may seem – if you know what your budget and aim are from your trip then it’s pretty much easy. What’s easier is if you book a Tonga tour with us at Encounters Travel then you won’t have to do any planning other than packing your bags and booking your flight!

How much is a meal in Tonga?

The cost of a meal in Tonga depends on the type of food you’re interested in – fine dining or fast food. The average lunch meal in Tonga can cost around Pa'anga 8. Breakfast is sometimes usually a bit cheaper than. Lunch and dinner.

Is it safe to travel to Tonga?

Crime levels in Tonga are relatively low, however, incidents of robberies, violent assaults and sexual assaults do occur – like in most if not all other countries.House break-ins and property theft also occur. Security risks increase after dark and in isolated areas.

Do people in Tonga speak English?

The official language in Tonga is Tongan however, English is widely spoken amongst locals and even taught at schools. Tongan is similar to Samoan.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Tonga?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Tonga. The CDC and WHO recommend the following: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, Tdap, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

How much would a trip to Tonga cost?

The cost of a trip to Tonga differs from traveller to traveller – how long you’re planning on staying, where you want to stay, and what your aim is of the trip. However, at Encounters Travel we offer tours starting from $3540 per person.

Where should we go in Tonga?

Despite being somewhat of an unspoilt paradise, the Kingdom of Tonga is one of the least visited countries in the world and is often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Fiji. However, here are a few places we suggest you add to your bucket list.Vava’uNuku’alofaHa’atafu BeachMapu'a 'a Vaea BlowholesPangaimotu island

How many days do you need in Tonga?

We suggest six days as the minimum time spent in Tonga – by the time you’ve done half your trip you will want to add more time to your travels.

Is Tonga expensive?

Tonga can be considered expensive if you compare it to South East Asia but less expensive and less developed than many other Pacific Islands.

TOUR REVIEWS

My experience with Encounters was excellent from start to finish. The Tour Guide, Sheriff, was the most passionate, enthusiastic and professional guide I have ever had on a tour and his love for Egypt really made me enjoy my time so much more.
I was cautious about arriving in Egypt given the current circumstances about the country, but felt safer that I did living in London as soon as I arrived. All of the Encounters staff are very professional.

Anthony has been a pleasure to work with and when he is not available, other members of the team respond in a timely manner. I have booked a total of 6 trips since December 2013 and plan to book more to fill my bucket list.

I liked the fact we were met at the airport and helped thru customs and getting a visa and then upon leaving taken to where we needed to go. Its always tough to figure out where everything is in a foreign airport when you do not travel much
Everything was great. Our guide was very knowledgeable and liked that we were interested in what he was telling us. We were lucky to be in a group with like minded people who also wanted to stay in places longer of which our guide accommodated. Only negative thing was the sitting train. Best to just take the flying option. Train was not bad but has no services, no alcohol, and breakfast was all carbs and an egg. Egypt really seems to like their breads and pastries....

There was a lot of communication from the beginning. The encounters staff was very responsive and the tour guide was great and very accommodating. Encounters was also able to help me with last minute changes to my itinerary while I was on the trip.

Anthony has been amazing throughout my planning of my tour. He has been very quick in replying to my emails and always answering with everything I wanted to know. I look forward to hopefully planning my next trip through him next year!

Tonga Country Guide

Factfile

Time: GMT+13
Dial Code: +676
Area: 748 km2
Elevation: The lowest point in Tonga is the Pacific Ocean at 0m | The highest point in Tonga is an unnamed elevation on Kao Island that peaks at 1,033m (3,389 ft.)
Population: 109,008 (2018)
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Government: Democracy, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Language: Tongan, English

Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian country and archipelago with 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. The main island, Tongatapu, is where 70% of the locals reside. The country is surrounded by Samoa to the northeast, Futuna, Fiji and Wallis to the northeast, Vanuatu to the farther west, Niue to the east, Kermadec (part of New Zealand) to the southwest, and New Caledonia (France).

In the West, Tonga became known as the 'Friendly Islands' because of the welcoming reception Captain James Cook received on his first visit in 1773. From 2010, Tonga chose to be a constitutional monarchy rather than a traditional absolute kingdom. The citizens of Tonga have free and mandatory education, provided by the government. The Tongans also have universal access to a national health care system.

Situated in Oceania, the islands of Tonga are divided into three main groups: Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu. The islands either have a limestone base created from coral formations or limestone on a volcanic base. The climate of Tonga is tropical with a very warm period (December to April). The wettest period in Tonga is March. Bats are viewed as sacred, and property of the monarchy. Flying fox bats frequent the islands of Tonga.

Tongan is the official language spoken in Tonga, along with English. Tongan is a Polynesian language, closely related to Samoan, Hawaiian, Wallisian and Niuean. Although Tonga is a secular state, the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga is the established religion in the state.

Highlights

Neiafu - the second largest town, located by the Port of Refuge, on the island of Vava'u.
Niuafo'ou - the most northerly island in Tonga, with a volcanic rim and two lakes.
Ha'atafu Beach - a beautiful beach protected by a reef, with a sheltered swimming area, and lagoon.
Talamahu Market - a main fresh-produce market, also selling crafts that is open on Saturday mornings.
Port of Refuge - this picturesque harbour has a collection of bars and restaurants on its waterfront.
St Joseph's Cathedral - located by the Port of Refuge, this local, Catholic church rests on a small hill.
Mariner's Cave - this cave has a hidden entrance and glows a deep blue with the sunlight.
Hufangalupe Archway - also known as 'the pigeon’s doorway', this is a natural land bridge by the coast.

Tips

As Tonga is a conservative country, swimsuits should only be worn in resorts.
On Sundays, shops, businesses and restaurants close for the day, so you should plan ahead.
Learn a few phrases of Tongan to speak with the local people.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service.
Tonga is essentially a cash society, so make sure that you have enough.
Tonga is a deeply Christian country, so you should abide by the rules and show respect.
The best time for whale watching is from mid-July to mid-October.
To join the main tour, you need to be comfortable swimming in the sea.

VIDEO FEATURE

Our video features bring our tours to life in a way that no photo can, you'll feel like you're on the tour.

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Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.

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