A holiday in Tonga is a getaway in an exotic Pacific kingdom. Tonga, known as the friendly islands is a lush tropical paradise with remarkable beaches and striking coral reefs. The waters carry an abundance of marine life with over 100 species of tropical fish swarming the reefs around the islands and huge gardens of coral. The snorkelling and diving is a highlight with visibility down to 70 metres in some places.
Nuku’alofa, the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu. It’s more developed than its neighbours but still maintains an easygoing lifestyle. It’s not too large and fairly flat, making it easy to explore on foot. Grab a hire car for a leisurely drive and explore the island for yourself. There’s plenty to see and you may even discover a secret beach. Visit the many villages and churches and look out for the markets – they’re the centre of village life and offer great chances to pick up fresh food and authentic arts and crafts.
Catch a plane or ferry and head to the tiny island of Ha’apai. Here you’ll believe that time has stopped. You won’t find crowds or traffic, just a simple, relaxed pace of life. Nearby, the island of ‘Eua lies just a few kilometres off but feels much more isolted. ‘Eua National Park is Tonga’s premier location to experience nature, so pack some sturdy footwear and explore the birdlife. There’s also a great whale watching spot where the king has built a palace.
The Vava’u Islands bill themselves as the sailing paradise of the Pacific. The waters are crystalline; you can see the bottom at 40 metres. Maybe that’s why the whales keep coming back each year. Charter a boat and take some time to explore the beautiful waterways and discover for yourself why this area is one the world’s most favoured sailing destinations. Between April and October, a whale watching tour in the Vava’u group will reward with an impressive acrobatic display of Humpback Whales.
Tonga fun facts
His Royal Highness, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, is the last remaining monarch in the South Pacific
Captain James Cook was so impressed in 1773 he gave the Tongans their nickname, the Friendly Islands
There are approximately 108,000 Tongans living in the kingdom of Tonga
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Wednesday 26th August 2009
Travel Counsellor: Melissa Ingles
I was fortunate enough to stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for the first time in August, and what an amazing experience it was. Nobody does ‘it’ like Disney, and by ‘it’ I mean find a way to work that little piece of magic into every part of your stay. This resort features amazing theming and service.
From the moment you enter the Lodge you will find a breathtaking lobby and are transported to the great North West American wilderness areas of the turn of the last century. From totem poles, to a small creek, to a roaring fireplace, Disney does not disappoint. There is something so restful about this resort, and even though you will find the surroundings to be very relaxing don’t think this means you are too far from Disney’s theme parks. A boat ride to the Magic Kingdom is only an 8 minute trip away, and these depart every 15 minutes. A bus ride to all other Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney frequent often and I personally never waited more than 10 minutes. Another perk of staying... view full story
click a circle on the map to view a Travel Counsellor's Diary