The Fishing Seasons in Tonga
When is the best time to fish in Tonga? The beauty of Tonga and why so many put it on their “fishing bucket list” is because Tonga has most of the highly-sought game fish in its waters all year round. We’re talking blue marlin, sailfish, mahimahi, wahoo and barracuda; just to name a few. It’s true, however, that some fish species have a better season for fishing than others. Find out more about the best fishing seasons and the difference in weather in this guide to the best time of year for fishing in Tonga.
5 Quick Tips for Fishing in Tonga
Before we get started, here are some quick tips about fishing in Tonga:
- Keen anglers, head to Vava’u which is one of the South Pacific’s year-round billfish fisheries
- Spearos, check out the island of ‘Eua for its bluewater fishing metres from shore
- Inquire about how the catch is divided upon booking your fishing charter, as some charters have a policy of the operator keeping the catch
- Tonga’s fishing charters are very similar in what they offer, but you can learn how to compare them in How to Choose the Best Fishing Tour in Tonga
- There may be other factors to consider for choosing when to visit Tonga, such as seeing whales, the best weather, the low tourist season, etc. We have more tips on choosing the best season in The Best Time to Visit Tonga.
For elaboration on each tip and more, check out our complete bible to fishing in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comThe Seasons in Tonga
So if fishing is good in Tonga year-round, what is the climate like? Tonga has two distinct seasons, winter or the “dry season” and summer or the “wet season”.
The winter season is between May and October, which is also known as the dry season. Temperatures are typically 19-29°C (66-84°F), with the rainfall being 110 mm (3.9 in) per month. The sea temperatures are usually around 24°C (75°F).
The summer season is between November and April, which is also known as the wet season. Temperatures are typically 23-31°C (74-88°F) and Tonga experiences more frequent rainfall of 210 mm (8.3 in) per month. The sea temperature is warmer at 28°C (82°F).
In short, either season provides many good fishing days, but perhaps a little less so in summer when sea conditions can sometimes get too rough to be appealing for fishing.
For more information on the weather and climate in Tonga month-by-month, see What is the Weather Like in Tonga?
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismPeak Game Fishing Seasons in Tonga
While most game species can be caught year-round in Tonga, some seasons are better for catching some species than others. The peak fishing seasons for particular fish species in Tonga are as follows:
- Blue Marlin – June to December
- Black Marlin – June to September
- Pacific Sailfish – June to March
- Wahoo – August to November
- Mahimahi – June to February
- Yellowfin Tuna – August to February
- Skipjack Tuna – May to January
- Dogtooth Tuna – July to January
- Barracuda – June to September
- Giant Trevally – July to March
- Spanish Mackeral – July to October
- Kawakawa – July to March
- Coral Trout – July to October and January to April.
Find out more about the most popular game species to target in Tonga in our guide, What Types of Fish Can You Fish For in Tonga?
(c) tongapocketguide.comThe Best Game Fish to Catch Year-Round in Tonga
Although many of the game fish species listed above have a peak season for fishing, they can actually be found in Tonga’s waters year-round. It’s what makes a fishing trip in Tonga so exciting, as you never know what you’re going to get!
The best species to target at any time of the year, mainly because they don’t have a “bad” season to target them, include:
- Pacific Sailfish
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Kawakawa
- Skipjack Tuna
- Mahimahi
- Giant Trevally.
More About the Best Time for Fishing in Tonga
Now that you know the best time of year for fishing in Tonga, plan the rest of your fishing excursion using the following guides:
- 5 Best Fishing Charters in Tonga
- What Types of Fish Can You Fish For in Tonga?
- 5 Best Fishing Resorts & Lodges in Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Tonga.
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