Known as the ‘Friendly Islands’, Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Visiting Tonga is like stepping back into the past and this is a good place to watch local life unfold and discover the customs and traditions of the people who live here. There is also abundant natural beauty here such as beaches, rainforests and volcanoes.

Tongatapu is an interesting place to explore as it features numerous natural wonders such as blowholes, white sandy beaches, ancient standing stones and tombs. There is plenty of accommodation here, so exploring is easy and endlessly rewarding.

Vava’u is a popular destination for those who like messing about on the water. Sea-kayaking is a popular pastime here and many people hire a boat to watch the humpback whales cavort among the waves. There are miles of colourful coral and teems of fish living here, making scuba diving and snorkelling great options. A popular diving destination is the underwater Mariner’s Cave, while this area is also known for yachting.

Although accommodation in Tonga tends to be a bit pricey, those with big budgets will find some fantastic options, all featuring a range of modern conveniences. Visitors can stay in a shared cottage, which is set in a beautiful garden, or watch the ferries arrive from a balcony opposite Queen Salote Wharf.

The most direct way to get to Tonga is by flying into Fua’amotu Airport, which is located on Tonggatapu, about half an hour from Tonga’s capital. Air New Zealand provides regular flights from Auckland and Los Angeles, while Virgin Blue flies passengers from a number of Australian destinations as well as Auckland and Fiji. A large number of people also sail to Tonga on private yachts.