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The South Pacific
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Tonga Geography and Land
Of the 170 islands in the kingdom of Tonga, only about one-fifth of them, or 36, are inhabited. While the islands are spread over hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, actual living space for Tongans consists of less than 700 square kilometers (about 270 square miles) of dry land.
The Island Groups
Geographically, Tonga is made up of four individual island groups, each with separate names. The first and southernmost, the Tongatapu group – consisting of two islands – is the most visited. The Ha’apai islands are about 155 kilometers (96 miles) north of there and the flat coral islands of Vava’u are still further north. Rarely visited, the remote, volcanic Niuas complete the kingdom.
• Tongatapu – The two islands known as Tongatapu and ‘Eua comprise this first group of islands. The main island, Tongatapu, is often deemed the Sacred Garden, thanks to the fertile soil that produces a myriad of fruits and vegetables. It’s a flat raised atoll that stretches about 65 km (40 miles) across and boasts a crystal clear lagoon in the center. Many guests never leave this island once they land at Fua’amotu Airport, as you’ll find the bulk of the tourist infrastructure here, including hotels and restaurants. ‘Eua, which is beginning to attract more tourists, pretty much remains a small, docile island for nature lovers to explore.
• Ha’apai – The many tiny islands that make up the Ha’apai group are full of pristine white beaches and are perfect locations for a romantic getaway or nature holiday. Most of the 68 islands are low-lying coral atolls, except for the two volcanic islands known as Tofua and Kao. The famous Mutiny on the Bounty took place in Ha’apai waters, which are ripe with game fish and a haven for avid anglers. The islands are easily accessible via air from Tongatapu.
• Vava’u – Many consider the water surrounding the more than 50 islands of the Vava’u group to be one of the world’s premiere sailing destinations. The tradewinds are perfect and the water is so clear that you can see deep down into the vast ocean. Guests can charter a boat for a day on the water, a little deep-sea fishing, and perhaps even some whale watching. Sea kayaking is popular, too. The beaches seem endless and there’s plenty of accommodation available should you decide to stay for more than a day.
• Niuas – These far-northern islands, home to about 700 inhabitants, aren’t really made for tourism, though a handful of visitors choose to make their way here each year. Life is very traditional on these islands, the beaches are stunning, and the views breathtaking. However, their remote location makes visiting impractical and there’s little available as far as accommodations. A flight to Niuas takes about 2.5 hours from Tongatapu and heavy tradewinds sometimes restrict landing.
If you decide to visit, the winter months of July through September are often the most pleasant and dry, with temperatures ranging from about 15° to 21° C (60° to 70° F). Summer brings plenty of rain, including the possibility of hurricanes, which the island is well-equipped to handle. Vava’u sees more rain than drier Tongatapu in the south.