10 Best Water Activities in Tonga

The Top Watersports in Tonga

Tonga is an island nation with around 750 km² (290 mi²) of land area across a whopping 700,000 km² (270,000 mi²) of the Pacific Ocean. Needless to say, Tonga is mostly about the water, which is used to both work, travel and play. As a visitor on an island getaway, you’re probably going to want to do more of the latter, so check out some of the amazing experiences to be had out on Tonga’s oceans and lagoons with this list of the top water activities in Tonga!

1. Whale Swimming

Arguably the most popular water activity in Tonga, swimming with humpback whales is surreal and unique. Tonga is one of the very few countries in the world where you are allowed to swim with humpback whales and where there is a wide array of whale swimming boat tours available across almost all island groups. There is a lot to unpack when it comes to whale swimming, so take a look at The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga for more information.

2. Scuba Diving

Tonga is the underdog of scuba diving in the South Pacific. While it’s not loud about its dive sites, those in the know come to Tonga to dive in the South Pacific’s largest sea cave and dive in incredibly clear water among pinnacles, arches and vast coral gardens. PADI dive centres can be found across Tonga, mostly offering recreational dives, while those who wish to learn couldn’t do it in a more idyllic spot than the islands of Ha’apai. Learn more about this watersport in The Guide to Scuba Diving in Tonga.

3. Snorkelling

For those looking for something a little less complicated when it comes to exploring the underwater world, snorkelling is certainly a spectacular thing to do in Tonga. There are many resorts with amazing snorkelling just off the beach, while it’s always worth paying a little for a snorkelling boat tour to get to those untouched yet hard-to-reach places. Learn more about this water activity in The Guide to Snorkelling in Tonga.

4. Kitesurfing

One that catches many visitors by surprise is how awesome the kitesurfing is here. Particularly in the island groups of Ha’apai and Vava’u, the tradewinds combined with placid lagoons make for ideal conditions for kitesurfing. Only a limited number of resorts have gear for hire, so it’s usually best to bring your own. Check out The Guide to Kitesurfing in Tonga for more information.

5. Kayaking

Resorts and other waterfront accommodations in Tonga come hand in hand with kayaking, where many accommodations offer kayak hire for their guests for free. Aside from paddling from your resort to explore nearby bays, beaches and islands, there are also guided kayaking tours to take you to some of the stunning yet less-visited reaches of Tonga. Guided kayak tours range from one to 10 days! Find out more about the islands’ kayaking adventures in The Guide to Kayaking in Tonga.

6. Stand-Up Paddleboarding

While not as easy to find as kayaking in Tonga, stand-up paddleboarding is slowly becoming a thing here in Tonga. A good selection of resorts offers SUP boards and paddles to hire to explore their surrounding tranquil lagoons and reefs. Find out more about getting your SUP on in The Guide to Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in Tonga.

7. Surfing

The surf breaks in Tonga are still being established, but your best option for surfing is from Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu Beach on the western side of Tongatapu. Here, you can paddle just 100 m (330 ft) to get out to some awesome surf breaks, most of which are best for intermediate to advanced surfers. Alternatively, adventurous surfers will want to take a boat out in the Vava’u group to take on some of the epic reef breaks around the islands. Check out The Complete Guide to Surfing in Tonga to dive a little deeper into the subject.

8. Fishing

Sports, game and spearfishing are kinds of a big deal in Tonga, which is home to an internationally renowned blue marlin fishery. Just about any game species found in the South Pacific are prevalent in Tonga’s waters, where there are fishing charters across the kingdom keen to show you their favourite spots. Take a look at The Complete Guide to Fishing in Tonga for more information.

9. Sailing

Tonga, and Vava’u in particular, are often described as the best sailing grounds in the South Pacific, but it’s not only the yachties who have the privilege to experience this. Sailing charters in Vava’u and Ha’apai can give you a taste of yacht life, anchoring at a different island each night, checking out some snorkelling hotspots, and even swimming with whales in the right season. Learn more about harnessing the elements in the 5 Best Sailing Charters in Tonga.

10. Boat Tours

Finally, another fantastic way to get out on the water and see more of Tonga is by taking one of the boat tours. There is a range of small-boat cruises available, taking you to uninhabited islands and caves you can snorkel in, to visit traditional Tongan villages and much

more. Check out some of your options in the 10 Best Boat Trips in Tonga.

More Water Activities in Tonga

That’s it for the best water activities in Tonga. For more ways to maximise your time on the water, take a look at the following places to stay:

Finally, inspire yourself with more experiences with the 101 Best Things to Do in Tonga: The Ultimate List. Plus, get even more tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page