Tonga - Useful information for your trip

Tonga is a Polynesian archipelago surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. This islands’ group is also known as “Friendly Islands” due to the warmth, hospital and cordial character of its inhabitants.

The archipelago is composed by 177 islands, among which Tongatapu is the largest one and hosts the capital city, Nuku’alofa. Under the morphological point of view, Tonga islands belong to two different families: limestone islands with coral origin and limestone islands with volcanic origin. The weather boasts a tropical climate, which has two main seasons: a hot, rainy and sultry one and a drier and fresher season, from June to October. It is possible to state that the northernmost islands boast an equatorial climate, since it is hot and humid the whole year. The season of tropical hurricanes comes from November to mid-May, this is why the best period to visit the islands goes from June to September for the northernmost islands and from May to October for the Ha’apai group.

Tonga islands host some national parks, marine reserves and parks in order to preserve their natural beauties and amazing landscapes. These protected areas have created the perfect conditions for the world’s most beautiful snorkelling and diving areas. On the contrary, on the mainland, it is possible to enjoy ideal areas to admire birds in their natural environment, such as Tongan Wildlife Centre’s Botanical Garden.

Tonga is famous for being a magnificent archipelago boasting kilometres and kilometres of untouched white sandy beaches, amazing lagoons and rich and colourful bottom seas. In the Houma area it is possible to admire a breath-taking show. Here, standing on the rocky coasts it is possible to admire high and suggestive waves pounce on the coral reef.

During your holiday in this paradise land, do not forget to taste local dishes and beverages. Traditional culinary art shows great sensibility and fantasy. Courses are served on a pola, a long tray made with intertwined coconut palm leaves, and cooked in an underground oven covered by sacks. The main element of local cuisine is coconut cream that accompanies all dishes. Fish also plays an important role in traditional cuisine. It is cooked, prepared and served according to different receipts. Ota ika is a dish you have to taste, it mixes the flavour of fish and coconut cream together with lime, onion, herb brine and roots. If you want to sip a local drink, you have to taste kava. It is famous as a calming cocktail.