Tonga is a travel destination in Polynesia. Its capital is Nuku'alofa. July and October are its two best months to visit, ranked on 1991β2020 climate averages.
Top places to visit in Tonga
Ha'apai Islands (beach) β Pristine remote archipelago of 62 low-lying coral islands β one of the last places on earth to snorkel and kayak in complete solitude with humpback whales nearby.
Humpback Whale Swimming (natural) β Tonga is the world's only place where swimming with humpback whales is legally permitted β mothers and calves shelter in warm waters from July through October.
Mapu a Vaea Blowholes (natural) β 500 m stretch of coastal limestone with surging blowhole geysers on southern Tongatapu β ocean swells explode up to 30 m through natural rock chimneys.
Ha'amonga 'a Maui Trilithon (landmark) β Mysterious megalithic three-stone arch erected c. 1200 AD β reminiscent of Stonehenge; possibly an ancient Tongan calendar used to track the solstices.
Vava'u Island Group (beach) β Boating paradise in northern Tonga β 50+ islands with sheltered azure anchorages, world-class snorkelling, kava ceremonies, and renowned humpback whale expeditions.
Anahulu Cave (natural) β Underground limestone cave network near Haveluloto on Tongatapu β stalagmites and stalactites above a clear freshwater pool for swimming; guided boat tours inside.
Nuku'alofa Royal Palace (landmark) β White Caribbean-style Victorian royal palace (1867) near the waterfront β oldest royal palace in Oceania; change of the Royal Guard ceremony open to the public.
Euakafa Island (beach) β Uninhabited island in the Vava'u group β walking paths through forest, ruins of a 16th-century royal tomb, and fringing reef for exceptional snorkelling.
Pangaimotu Island (beach) β Tiny reef island 15 minutes by boat from Nuku'alofa β crystal-clear lagoon, white sand beach, snorkelling with sea turtles, day trips with seafood lunch.
Tonga National Museum (landmark) β Small but richly informative museum in Nuku'alofa β Tongan bark cloth (ngatu), traditional kava ceremony vessels, royal genealogies, and colonial missionary history.