Our Islands
The Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago of 176 coral and volcanic islands (approximately 52 of which are inhabited), scattered over 700,000 square kilometres of ocean.
Located to the west of the International Dateline, the Kingdom of Tonga is the first Pacific nation to greet the new day.
The Kingdom of Tonga, one of the most scenic and unspoiled of the Pacific island nations, has dramatic & active volcanic landscapes, spectacular tropical rainforest, low-lying coral atolls, pristine coral reefs, magnificent sandy beaches and a unique and beautiful array of flora and fauna.
Go straight to the info on:
- Overview
- (Nuku’alofa) Tongatapu
- ‘Eua Island Group
- Vava’u Island Group
- Ha’apai Island Group
- The Niuas
Overview
The Kingdom of Tonga is located on the Eastern edge of the Indo-Australian Plate, which is forced up by the Pacific Plate pushing under it at the Tonga Trench. This long oceanic valley extends North-South and reaches depths over 5.5 nautical miles.
The Kingdom of Tonga also lies on a volcanic ridge known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which extends from New Zealand to Samoa, then back toward Vanuatu and the Solomons.
Tonga’s archipelago can be divided into four distinct parts: Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas. Each island group is scenically diverse.
Note: The Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism) thanks the private sector tourism organisation, Tourism Tonga, for this video.
(Nuku’alofa) Tongatapu
Nuku’alofa, the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu. The island is also home to the Royal Family, the Government, many businesses and the majority of the Tongan population.
Most travellers who come to the Kingdom will arrive via Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. The town is well equipped for visitors and the terrain is flat, so it is easy to explore by car or bike or simply walk around.
Nuku’alofa, meaning abode of love, on Tongatapu, meaning sacred south, is home to reminders of the Kingdom of Tonga’s ancient past. Take your time to discover and explore Tonga’s key archaeological sites including the mysterious Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon (stone hedge of the Pacific) and the Langi (terraced tombs) and moats on the Eastern side.
Take a leisurely drive and find a secret beach or head to the Southern West Coast to see the spectacular blow holes.
Back in town, spend some time just walking around. See the Royal Palace, the Royal tombs and the many colonial houses still in use.
Don’t miss out on eating a traditional Tongan dinner and seeing a cultural show to learn about Tongan dancing or visiting the marketi on a Saturday morning to check out what food is available and buy traditional weaved baskets and tapa. On a Sunday, go to church to hear the voices of angels.
If you need to unwind, go to one of the offshore islands and explore a maze of motus (islets) and coral reefs teaming with brilliantly coloured tropical fish. Or simply soak up the South Pacific atmosphere.
‘Eua Island Group
Part of the Tongatapu Group, rugged ‘Eua lies just off the South-Eastern tip of Tongatapu – but when you are there it feels much more remote. The island is an ideal destination for those in search of adventure and enjoy being in touch with nature.
‘Eua National Park is the Kingdom of Tonga’s premier location to experience nature. Large scale tourism does not exist on ‘Eua – it’s quiet, peaceful, mostly undeveloped location. It’s easy to get there as a ferry leaves most days from Nuku’alofa and takes about two hours. Or you can enjoy one of the shortest passenger flights in the world and take 8 minutes for the trip.
‘Eua has the best trekking in Tonga. Hilly and thickly forested with spectacular high cliffs at its northern end and numerous caves and sinkholes. Take a walk through the pristine forest in ‘Eua National Park, explore the rocky southern coastline, descend through the rainforest to the sea or watch from the cliff edge as seabirds swoop by on the thermal currents. There are caves, chasms and waterfalls with pools to cool you off.
As you walk through the National Park down an escarpment to the Lokupo beach listen to the noisy call of the ‘koki’ (a red breasted musk parrot), which is found in ‘Eua. The park is a birdwatchers paradise.
Have a picnic on the deserted beach looking out over the sparkling ocean or take a less demanding hike and lean the Southern Legends as you walk through the rock gardens watched by wild horses.
Local guides will recount the history of the island and introduce you to their community, where you can experience daily life on ‘Eua, meet some of the local people and watch ‘tapa’ cloth being made.
Between July and November, humpback whales swim past ‘Eua en route to their breeding grounds in Vava’u and you can watch these magnificent creatures from the beach.
Divers can also explore the underwater marine caves on the northern shorelines. The ‘Cathedral cave’ lives up to its name, carved into a natural sepulchre and filled with fish and coral with the bright colours of a stained glass window.
Vava’u Island Group
With its sheltered anchorages, Vava’u is a haven for yachties and is reknown as both the sailing paradise of the Pacific and one of the world’s great sailing centres. It is also regarded as a water based nature lover’s paradise and the most scenic region in the Kingdom of Tonga.
There’s an extensive charter boat operation and, from July to October, you can see the magnificent humpback whales that come to the warm waters to mate and calve. For something really special, you might choose to swim with the whales.
Snorkelling, diving, sports fishing and sea kayaking are all on the menu here. Beneath the water, the great visibility – up to 30m – makes journeys out to remote underwater caves and mysterious shipwrecks a delight.
Swim inside Swallows Save, dive into Mariners Caves or discover the calm waterways by sea kayak. If you are feeling up to it, why not venture out overnight and stay under the stars on your own white sandy beach.
If you like game fishing, the local experts say that you have a better chance of catching or tagging the mighty blue marlin in these waters than anywhere in else in the world.
For a day on land, take a stroll through Neiafu and stop and have a drink, lunch or even dinner at one of the great cafes or restaurants over looking the Port of Refuge. Then if you are fit and energetic, the climb to the top of Mt Talau is not to be missed.
There are 72 islands (and 20 are inhabited) in the Vava’u Group, so go out and explore!
Ha’apai Island Group
When you reach Ha’apai, you will find that time has stopped. There are no traffic jams, no crowds, no queues – just peace and tranquillity.
Independent travellers consider the Ha’apai group to be Tonga’s best-kept secret and one they hope will never be discovered by mass tourism. With its prolific wildlife and pristine natural beaches, Ha’apai is a wonderful eco-tourism destination, and a paradise for divers and snorkellers.
It was on Lifuka Island that Captain Cook landed and, after a warm reception, later described the Kingdom of Tonga as “The Friendly Islands”. It was also in the waters of Ha’apai, near the volcanic island of Tofua, that the famous ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ took place and Captain William Bligh was set adrift in a small boat.
Walk around the sleepy captial of Pangai on the main island of Lifuka is a must, if for no other reason than to savour the slow pace of life. Visit the Shirley Baker monument in the European cemertery and the site of the Velata Fortress.
Relax and put on your swimmers, hire some snorkels and flippers or diving gear and discover the magnificent coral reefs and caves that abound in Ha’apai.
Try your skill at sea kayaking or horse riding along a beautiful white sandy beach.
Hire a boat for a day and explore one of the many other islands in the Ha’apai group. Some are inhabited but you may find you own deserted South Pacific Island!
The Niuas
Across the North of the Kingdom of Tonga’s lie the two Niuas – the volcanic islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou lie.
Niuatoputapu lies about 240km north of Vava’u and consists of an area of 18sq km with a population of about 1400. Far away from Nuku’alofa, tradition is still a way of life here with conservative dressing and behaviour.
Niuatoputapu is surrounded by magnificent white beachs and the most beautiful beaches are on the North West side of the main island.
Niuafo’ou is the northernmost island in the Kingdom of Tonga. Almost 350 miles separate Niuafo’ou from Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu; while Samoa (200 miles) and Fiji (300 miles) are a shorter distance away.
Niuafo’ou is the tip of an underwater volcano, which was created by sub-oceanic eruptions many years ago. The centre of the island is dominated by Vai Lahi, a large lake measuring some 5km across and up to 84m deep. In the island’s South and West, extensive, blackish grey fields of lava bear witness to Niuafo’ou volcanic history.
Although it can be difficult to get to, traditional Tongan customs and culture still thrive in this isolated group, offering visitors the cultural experience of a lifetime.
