What is the Weather Like in Tonga in July?
What does winter look like in Tonga? Well, think balmy days of around 26°C / 79°F, slightly cooler evenings and sunshine most of the time. No wonder July is one of the most popular times to visit the islands! The weather and sea temperatures are ideal for doing just about any activity in Tonga, including whale swimming where the season officially begins in July. Due to the fact that Tonga has mostly boutique accommodations, it’s best to book your spot during the busy tourist season early. Otherwise, check out more tips about the climate in this guide to the Tonga weather in July!
Before we jump into this weather guide for July, be sure to bookmark Tonga Weather by Month: What is the Weather Like in Tonga? for more advice.
5 Tips for Visiting Tonga in July
- July is part of the peak season in Tonga, not only because of the whale season but also because of the hugely popular Heilala Festival, so make your bookings well in advance to avoid disappointment
- The evenings feel considerably cooler than during the day, so be sure to pack a light jacket – this will be useful on boat trips too
- July is when the whale season officially starts but it can be a little too early for successful whale swims on every trip – plan a few days to try your luck
- While July is considered the dry season, be prepared for rain at any time
- Apply high-factor reef-safe sunscreen regularly!
(c) tongapocketguide.comTypical Temperatures in July
Warm, balmy and with mild sea temperatures, Tonga sure has a good winter season. The average maximum temperatures in July is 29°C / 84°F, which is often extremely comfortable and soothing throughout the day. Evenings are a little cooler, however, where it’s best to have an extra layer, especially when combined with an island breeze! The average low is 18°C / 65°F.
Temperatures Across Tonga
- Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa – The average maximum temperature is 25°C / 77°F and the minimum average temperature is 18°C / 65°F
- Vava’u – The average maximum temperature is 27°C / 81°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 68°F
- Ha’apai – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 79°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 68°F
- ‘Eua – The average maximum temperature is 25°C / 77°F and the minimum average temperature is 18°C / 65°F
- The Niuas – The average maximum temperature is 29°C / 84°F and the minimum average temperature is 22°C / 73°F.
Sea Temperature in July
Tonga has warm sea temperatures all year round. Even in winter, the sea temperature rarely drops below 25°C / 76°F.
© TongaPocketGuide.comHours of Sun in July
During July, Tonga’s daylight hours are 11 hours long – pretty long considering we are in the winter months. Visitors will experience an average of 4 hours of bright sunshine per day.
UV Levels During July
The UV levels in July in Tonga are pretty mild with a level of 6 UV index around midday. Regardless, it’s still a good idea to apply high-factor sunscreen. For advice on sun protection, check out The Best Sunscreens for Tonga + Sun Protection Tips.
Sunrise and Sunset During July
July has daylight hours lasting around 11 hours a day in Tonga.
- Sunrise – 7:19 am at the beginning of July and 7:13 am at the end of July
- Sunset – 6:11 pm at the beginning of July and 6:22 pm at the end of July.
Learn more about the local time zone in What is the Tonga Time Zone?
© TongaPocketGuide.comRainfall in July
Although it’s in the dry season, it is still likely to rain at some point during your Tonga exploration. An average of 15 days during July experiences some sort of rainfall – still around half of the month, which is one of the highest recorded months of rainfall in the winter season. If you find yourself caught in the rain, don’t worry, there are 15 Things to Do in Tonga on a Rainy Day.
Tonga receives an average of 95 mm / 3.7 in of rainfall in the month of July, with around 15 days out of July experiencing rain.
Average Rainfall Across Tonga
- Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa – The average rainfall in July is 95 mm / 3.7 in
- Vava’u – The average rainfall in July is 90 mm / 3.5 in
- Ha’apai – The average rainfall in July is 90 mm / 3.5 in
- ‘Eua – The average rainfall in July is 95 mm / 3.7 in
- The Niuas – The average rainfall in July is 135 mm / 5.3 in.
© PixabayTropical Storms in July
The South Pacific cyclone season starts in November and ends in April. Therefore, July is one of the best months to visit Tonga without the risk of tropical cyclones or storms.
Other months that have a low risk of tropical cyclones in Tonga include June, August and September.
Find out more about cyclones in Tonga in How to Prepare for a Cyclone in Tonga.
(c) tongapocketguide.comBest Places to Visit in Tonga in July
July is a lively time to visit Tonga, especially with the Heilala Festival celebrations in full swing at the beginning of the month. The best place to experience the celebrations is in Nuku’alofa, the nation’s capital on Tongatapu. Alternatively, more and more whales can be seen frequenting the waters, so head to groups like Vava’u or Ha’apai for whale swimming and an outer island experience.
Vava’u – July is when the whale season officially starts in the island group of Vava’u. The group of 61 islands in the northern region of Tonga is also renowned for its water sports, from scuba diving to game fishing. Find out more about Vava’u in The Complete Guide to Vava’u.
Tongatapu – With the Heilala Festival still going strong at the beginning of the month, Tongatapu, and more specifically Nuku’alofa, is an intriguing place to get a taste of the Tongan culture and their celebrations around the king’s birthday (4th July). Otherwise, whale watching, fishing charters and scuba diving can be enjoyed on the water, while on land, there are many historical and cultural sites to visit. Find out more in The Complete Guide to Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.comJuly Packing List for Tonga
Packing for July in Tonga requires more than just a T-shirt and shorts. Here are a few things worth adding to the packing list…
- Light bamboo, linen or merino layers (we like the sustainable bamboo clothing of Moso Morrow)
- Light pants/trousers/skirt (for the cooler evenings and to cover the skin in areas where you need to dress more modestly)
- Light jacket (for the evenings or for on boat trips)
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear
- Rash vest (we like the UV-protecting Sharkskin rashies)
- Sarong (lavalava)
- Flip-flops/sandals
- Closed walking shoes
- High-factor sunscreen (that’s reef-safe and water-resistant)
- Insect repellent.
Get more packing ideas with The Complete Packing List for Tonga.
More About the Tonga Weather
That’s it for our complete guide to the weather and climate in Tonga in July. Check out the following articles for more weather advice:
- Tonga Weather, Seasons & Climate + Tonga Weather by Month
- The Best Time to Visit Tonga
- The Top Events & Festivals in Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga and 31 Tips for Travelling in Tonga.
