What Clothing to Pack for a Holiday to Tonga
Packing: you either love the excitement it builds for your holiday or hate the stress that it builds when considering, “Have I forgot anything?!” What’s more, you want to pack right for the weather in Tonga, which consistently enjoys warm temperatures throughout the year, usually 25-31°C (77-88°F) in the day and 15-25°C (59-77°F) in the evening. There’s also the local customs to consider, as well as outfits for different activities you might be doing. We go through all of the essentials, as well as some optional items, in this guide of what clothes to pack for Tonga.
For a complete list of things to pack, see The Complete Packing List for Tonga. Plus, see what weather to pack for in our guide, Tonga Weather by Month: What is the Weather Like in Tonga?
Packing Tips for Tonga
- If you’re taking a domestic flight in Tonga, pack extra lightly – the baggage allowance is 15kg (22lbs) to Ha’apai and Vava’u and 10kg (22lbs) to ‘Eua
- Be aware of the items that you have packed that you will need to declare at Tonga Customs
- If travelling for one week, pack clothing for each day. If for longer, pack for one week then make use of the laundry services available at some accommodations
- Pack versatile outfits that can be worn for different occasions: something worn for an evening meal might also be suitable for church, for example
- Use packing cubes to organise your suitcase – see more handy gadgets in 10 Must-Have Gadgets to Pack for Tonga
- Consider which piece of luggage is best for you – get advice in What is the Best Type of Luggage for Tonga?
(c) tongapocketguide.comCasual Clothing for Tonga
Tonga is a warm tropical country, so light comfortable clothing with perhaps a warmer jumper/cardigan for evenings is a good idea. However, the most important thing to remember is to dress more conservatively outside of your resort. While Tongans are getting more used to tourists wearing short shorts, respect the local customs when possible by wearing clothing that covers the knees when you’re out and about. As for if you’re staying in a resort, shorts and vest tops are perfectly acceptable.
Men
- Shorts
- Light shirts
- T-shirts
- Light sleepwear
- Light jacket for cooler evenings
- Light fleece jumper (something to keep warm after swimming from a boat)
- Long shirt and long pants if going to a church service
- Clothes to travel in
- Underwear
Women
- Shorts/Skirts/Dress for in your resort
- Dresses/Skirts below for going out in public/sightseeing (We recommend light fabrics such as this sustainable bamboo dress by MosoMorrow)
- Singlets/T-Shirts
- Sarong (lavalava) for a quick cover-up
- Light sleepwear
- Light jacket/Cardigan/Pashmina for cooler evenings
- Light fleece jumper (something to keep warm after swimming from a boat)
- A smarter outfit that covers shoulders and knees if going to church
- Clothes to travel in
- Underwear
(c) Pxhere.comSwimwear for Tonga
Needless to say, you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time in the water in Tonga. We recommend packing two pieces of swimwear, as well as rash vests or something else more conservative if you’re swimming at public beaches outside of your resort.
For men, boardshorts are more commonly accepted than Speedos. For women, a bikini is good for your resort days, while a one-piece bathing suit or a bikini covered with a rash vest is more suitable when you’re out and about. We especially recommend children wear a rash vest as extra sun protection.
It’s usually better to have your own snorkelling gear, but some resorts will have them available. Whale swim and snorkel tours will also provide them.
Men
- Boardshorts
- Snorkel gear
- Beach/Travel towel
- Rash vest
- Beach bag/day pack
Women
- Bikini for beach/pool
- One-piece for watersports/public swimming beaches
- Snorkel gear
- Beach/Travel towel
- Rash vest
- Beach bag/Day pack
(c) tongapocketguide.comFootwear for Tonga
You needn’t go too crazy on the footwear for Tonga. Sandals and flip-flops are usually a good option for days at the beach, going on boats and activities that don’t involve a lot of walking. Reef shoes are a good idea, as some beaches have rocky areas, sharp rocky reefs and coral (which you should not stand on anyway, but just in case). Finally, walking shoes will be good for days of sightseeing and for travelling in.
Men, Women and Children
- Flip-flops/Sandals
- Reef shoes
- Walking shoes/Sandals
(c) PexelsSun, Rain and Insect Protection
Finally, it’s a good idea to pack some items of clothing that will help with some of the harsher elements in Tonga, like the sun, rain and mosquitoes.
With UV levels of 5-12 on the UV index, it’s essential to have that extra sun protection, such as caps/hats/bandana or whatever you prefer. An extra precaution could be UV-protection fabric tops.
Rain can happen at any time of the year in Tonga, but more likely in the wet season (December to April). For this reason, it’s a good idea to pack a rain jacket and/or umbrella. You may also want to protect yourself from mosquito bites with insect repellent clothing, as featured in the 10 Best Natural Mosquito Repellents for Tonga.
Men, Women and Children
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Light cotton shirt to cover arms
- Light rain jacket/Small umbrella
- UV protection top
- Insect repellent top
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