Introduction
There's Pacific good times all round in this balmy and versatile country. On Tonga you can party and drink kava at festivals till you drop, be impressed by the Sunday church turn outs, and then escape to deserted beaches where, between snorkelling in untouched coral gardens and sipping coconut juice, the most you need do is watch the waves slap against the shore.
Destination Facts
Capital: Nuku'alofa
King: King George Tupou V
Prime Minister: Dr Feleti 'Fred' Sevele
Government: Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy
Time zone: GMT +13
Area: 718
Population: 101000
Languages: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon
Currency: Pa'anga (PT or T$)
Country Dialing Code: 676
Getting there and away
Most visitors arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport, about 15km (9.3mi) by bus southeast of Nuku'alofa (although some flights go to Lupepapau'u International on Vava'u). It's straightforward to fly to Tonga direct from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa and Hawaii, but if you're coming from anywhere else you will have to fly to one of those points first. Auckland (New Zealand) and Nadi/Suva (Fiji) are the best served places. If you're planning to come in by yacht, the entry points are Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu), Neiafu (Vava'u), Pangai and Lifuka (Ha'apai), Felehau (Niuatoputapu) and Futu (Niuafo'ou). Departure tax is T$25.
Getting around
Flying is probably the easiest way to island hop, unless you have your own yacht. Several inter-island ferries operate between the main island groups, but cabin space is limited and will cost more than an airfare anyway. If you travel as a deck passenger it's cramped and stuffy indoors, and outdoors it can be wet and cold. One of the vessels is known by the fond moniker of the Orange Vomit. Buses run on the largest islands, and you can recognise taxis by the 'T' on the license plates. You can easily rent a horse (that should be a snigger, as most are rented out without saddles and bridles so you need to be adept at bareback riding) on any of the inhabited islands, but a car may be a safer option, and they're also relatively easy to rent.
Visa:
You only need a valid passport, an onward ticket and proof of adequate funds to be granted a visa for three or four weeks upon arrival, but double-check with authorities prior to departure as rules can vary slightly for different countries.
Weather
This region of the southwest Pacific is typically tropical. You could almost be guaranteed that the temperature will be between 20 ° C (68 ° F) and 30 ° C (86 ° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Humidity is always high but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes means conditions are never too stuffy. Heavy rainfall occurs between October and April, easing off a bit around the middle of the year for some islands while constant for others.
There's Pacific good times all round in this balmy and versatile country. On Tonga you can party and drink kava at festivals till you drop, be impressed by the Sunday church turn outs, and then escape to deserted beaches where, between snorkelling in untouched coral gardens and sipping coconut juice, the most you need do is watch the waves slap against the shore.
Destination Facts
Capital: Nuku'alofa
King: King George Tupou V
Prime Minister: Dr Feleti 'Fred' Sevele
Government: Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy
Time zone: GMT +13
Area: 718
Population: 101000
Languages: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon
Currency: Pa'anga (PT or T$)
Country Dialing Code: 676
Getting there and away
Most visitors arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport, about 15km (9.3mi) by bus southeast of Nuku'alofa (although some flights go to Lupepapau'u International on Vava'u). It's straightforward to fly to Tonga direct from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa and Hawaii, but if you're coming from anywhere else you will have to fly to one of those points first. Auckland (New Zealand) and Nadi/Suva (Fiji) are the best served places. If you're planning to come in by yacht, the entry points are Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu), Neiafu (Vava'u), Pangai and Lifuka (Ha'apai), Felehau (Niuatoputapu) and Futu (Niuafo'ou). Departure tax is T$25.
Getting around
Flying is probably the easiest way to island hop, unless you have your own yacht. Several inter-island ferries operate between the main island groups, but cabin space is limited and will cost more than an airfare anyway. If you travel as a deck passenger it's cramped and stuffy indoors, and outdoors it can be wet and cold. One of the vessels is known by the fond moniker of the Orange Vomit. Buses run on the largest islands, and you can recognise taxis by the 'T' on the license plates. You can easily rent a horse (that should be a snigger, as most are rented out without saddles and bridles so you need to be adept at bareback riding) on any of the inhabited islands, but a car may be a safer option, and they're also relatively easy to rent.
Visa:
You only need a valid passport, an onward ticket and proof of adequate funds to be granted a visa for three or four weeks upon arrival, but double-check with authorities prior to departure as rules can vary slightly for different countries.
Weather
This region of the southwest Pacific is typically tropical. You could almost be guaranteed that the temperature will be between 20 ° C (68 ° F) and 30 ° C (86 ° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Humidity is always high but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes means conditions are never too stuffy. Heavy rainfall occurs between October and April, easing off a bit around the middle of the year for some islands while constant for others.
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