The archipelago of Tonga includes 170 islands divided into 4 separate groups: Niuas to the north, Vava’u continuing to the south, Ha’apai and the most southern which is the archipelago with Tongatapu. The latter is the main island of Tonga, with the capital Nuku’oalofa. Tongatapu is formed from a raised coral platform, where the constant action of the waves has cut the reef in the south coast. In the northern part there are some reefs with many offshore islands. All the spots are compressed into a notable curve of the reef on the west coast of the island where the winds almost always blow offshore. SW swells produce lefts throughout the southern hemistery winter (from April to October) while less constant N swells favor shorter and steeper right-handers from November to March. A dream archipelago, a fantastic destination for your next vacation … book your surf stay in Tonga with us!
The most southern spot is the left point of The Pass : the smallest and most constant wave on the island but which becomes closeout when it exceeds 6ft. On the other side is the right hand side of The Alley , which breaks into the summer season. Motels’ constant left is long and steep with fast sections no matter how big the swell is. The next wave to the north is The Peak , a small right that becomes dangerous when it exceeds 4ft. Corners is a long left with a deep bottom, therefore safer than any other spot. Moving further NE around the island, the constancy of the waves decreases but when the swell arrives, the spots with the best and most dangerous waves on the island are activated. The Bowl doesn’t work very often but when it does, it is exceptional: in any size, the waves curve over the reef creating breathtaking tubes and starts. Fishtraps is another right, which usually becomes long and beautiful the bigger the swell.
Close to its namesake, Lighthouse is a dangerous tubing right suitable only for experienced surfers. The spots north of the island are all outside reefs, accessible only by boat.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Tonga Holiday Villa | Dayspring Lodge | Little Italy Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | Double | |
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 126 | € 137 | € 284 |
Notes
With good exposure to Roaring Forties swells and deep water, Tonga should be receiving waves more consistently than it actually receives. The trade winds blow from E-SE all year round. These winds have a greater angle from the south during the dry season and more from the north during the wet season. The tides are minimal, but low tide is too shallow for many spots.
How to get there : No visa is required. You can fly directly to Tonga from Australia, Hawaii, California, Samoa, New Zealand and Fiji. Getting to Tonga is expensive but worth it. Boarding fees for international flights are around $ 25.
How to get around : Most of the waves are located within a 10-minute walk of each other and they can usually be reached by rowing 100m from the shore. A boat trip to the north reef shouldn’t cost more than $ 10 / person. Car hire is not worth it ($ 50 / day). There are numerous boat charters going to Tonga. To reach the island of Euka Iki you can either fly or go by boat.
Accommodation and Food : Australian expat Steve Burling and his Tonganese wife Sesika have excellent rooms at the Ha’atafu Beach Resort. The facilities and food are good and there is room for up to 15 people. If everything is full there, try the Paradise Shores Resort which costs around $ 100 / day.
Climate : Temperatures fluctuate around 26 ° C. Rainfall is abundant, but still less frequent from June to September. The best time to visit the archipelago is from May to October. The rainy season, which runs from November to April, is the hurricane season in which the weather can be hot, humid and rainy.
Nature and Culture : Life in Tonga revolves around the beach and the sea. There are numerous opportunities for snorkelling, diving, fishing and whale watching. Eua Iki Island also offers the possibility of hiking. Ha’atafu, located in the north of the island, is a beach with a protected reserve of 15km.
Dangers and annoyances : The majority of reefs are made up of live corals, therefore, in order to avoid easy infections due to cuts, we recommend the use of boots. Medical help is rudimentary. There are some clubs and the atmosphere is nice.
Tips: Bring everything you need. Respect the beliefs of the local religion and try to adapt to their slow lifestyle.
Exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.08 USD; 1 € = 1.51 NZD; 1 EUR = 1.41 AUD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Duration: 8 days / 6 nights
from € 242 - Excluding flights
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