Dive Tonga! The Guide to Scuba Diving in Tonga 🤿 [2024]

© Tonga Ministry of Tourism

The Best Time to Scuba Dive in Tonga

Although there are two distinct seasons in Tonga, summer (December to April) and winter (May to November), the difference in diving conditions between the two is often minimal. This makes Tonga an ideal destination to scuba dive all year round.

In winter, the air temperatures are typically 19-29°C (66-84°F) and sea temperatures are around 21°C (69°F). In summer, the air temperatures are typically 23-31°C (74-88°F) and sea temperatures are around 24°C (75°F). Dive more into the details in our complete guide, The Best Time to Scuba Dive in Tonga.

When to See Whales in Tonga

Let’s be honest, many divers choose Tonga for the chance to see humpback whales. They migrate from Antarctica each year, arriving in Tonga between June and July in order to mate and calve. They then leave Tonga back for Antarctic waters around October and November, depending on the island group, as explained in When is the Whale Season in Tonga.

Can You Scuba Dive with Humpback Whales?

No, you don’t typically scuba dive with whales in Tonga, as it can be difficult for divers to keep up with whales. Nevertheless, the magic of scuba diving during the whale season is the whale songs which provide an unforgettable soundtrack to your dive! What’s more, there are dedicated whale snorkelling and freediving tours which are more suitable for swimming with whales than scuba diving. Learn more about snorkelling with whales in The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga.

Scuba Diving During the Whale Season

If you want to do a mix of scuba diving and whale swimming in Tonga, note that the only scuba operators that still run trips during the whale season are based in Ha’apai and Vava’u, as listed in the 5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Tonga. Regardless, you should still try to book scuba trips as far in advance as possible during the whale season, which is the peak tourist season in Tonga.

(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism

The Best Places to Dive in Tonga

Tonga is a nation of 170 islands, where the waters just about anywhere reveal amazing dive sites. For visitors, however, the best places to dive are where some of these vibrant dive sites also have proximity to scuba diving operators and rentals, as well as accommodations – ensuring an effortless dive holiday.

Scuba Diving in Vava’u

The island group of Vava’u has a couple more dive operators than other island groups, while the scuba diving scene is well-established with a vast and varied number of dive sites.

Some 50 islands are tightly packed together to create some amazing underwater seascapes, from caves to tunnels to coral formations shaped like Chinese architecture (at least in the case of the China Town dive site). There’s also one of Tonga’s best wreck dives sitting upright just 30 m (100 ft) deep in the Neiafu Harbour. Learn more about the dive sites in the 10 Best Dive Sites in Vava’u.

Vava’u is certainly a destination for certified divers, as operators exclusively offer gear rental, transport and local know-how; there are no dive courses available in Vava’u at this time. One operator also offers these services during the popular whale season, as detailed in The Best Dive Shops & Operators in Vava’u.

As for the rest of the logistics for planning a trip to Vava’u, The Complete Travel Guide to Vava’u is a good place to start.

Scuba Diving in Ha’apai

The Ha’apai group sits between Vava’u and Tongatapu, a scattering of around 62 islands. Much less visited, Ha’apai’s dive sites remain pristine and uncrowded with interesting sites including a cave with a hydrothermal vent and an ancient coral archway formed during the last ice age. What’s more, visibility tends to be better than anywhere else in the Kingdom. Check out some of the dive sites in the 5 Best Dive Sites in Ha’apai.

At present, Ha’apai is also the only destination in Tonga where operators offer dive courses and qualifications, as well as two-tank dive trips and gear rental for qualified divers. Learn more about operators in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Ha’apai.

As for the rest of the logistics for planning a trip to the islands, The Complete Travel Guide to Ha’apai is a good place to start.

Scuba Diving in Tongatapu and ‘Eua

Sitting in the southern reaches of Tonga, the main island of Tonga, Tongatapu, and the neighbouring island of ‘Eua have some dive sites worth checking out. The must-do is Cathedral Cave underneath the island of ‘Eua. It’s one of the largest sea caves in the world at 100 m (330 ft) long and 50 m (165 ft) wide at 30 m (100 ft) deep. The surrounding lagoon and outer reef of Tongatapu also have some interesting features and an array of life to admire. Learn more about the Tongatapu and ‘Eua dive sites in the 10 Best Dive Sites in Tonga.

Tongatapu is home to one dive operator, exclusively offering dive packages outside of the whale season. Dives are suitable for qualified divers – learn more in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours on Tongatapu. Scuba operators no longer exist on ‘Eua but freediving is still available, as explained in the 5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Tonga.

As for the rest of the logistics for planning a trip to the islands, check out The Complete Travel Guide to Tongatapu.

(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism

What to See When Diving in Tonga

Tonga’s marine life is so diverse that listing everything here would be an impossible task. It’s thought that there are around 1,500 species of fish and 700 species of coral in Tonga’s waters alone. However, there are certainly more common species to see in Tonga’s tropical waters, from the tiniest nudibranchs to the largest whales.

Whales in Tonga

One of the highlights of Tonga’s waters is the humpback whales that migrate to Tonga between July and October. Snorkelling with the whales is a popular and regulated activity in Tonga, which you can learn more about in The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga.

Fish, Turtles and Sharks in Tonga

Reefs in Tonga are home to a gargantuan variety of species, such as barracuda, butterflyfish, clownfish, tuna, manta rays, eagle rays, marlin, reef sharks, turtles, crayfish, shrimps, nudibranchs and much much more.

Coral in Tonga

Dives in Tonga also often feature amazing coral formations with a variety of hard and soft coral to admire, as well as sea fans.

For more details on the wildlife, including marine life, available in Tonga, take a look at A Traveller’s Guide to Wildlife in Tonga.

(c) Pixabay

Dive Resorts and Operators

Unlike other South Pacific nations, Tonga is not typically a holiday destination of “dive resorts”, although it does have at least two. On the other hand, there are operators that are PADI-affiliated and offer safe and enjoyable recreational dives and, in one case, courses. They also often work with nearby resorts offering pick-up for guests.

Dive Operators in Vava’u

• Riki Tiki Tours
• Beluga Diving

Learn more about these operators in the 5 Best Scuba Diving Tours in Vava’u.

Dive Operators and Resorts in Ha’apai

• Matafonua Lodge
• Sandy Beach Resort

Learn more about these operators in The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Ha’apai.

Dive Operators in Tongatapu and ‘Eua

• Deep Blue Diving
• Blue Water Retreat (freediving only)

Learn more about these operators in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours on Tongatapu.

Again, all of these operators are compiled in the 5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Tonga and 5 Best Dive Resorts in Tonga.

© Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving in Tonga

If there’s something else you want to know about scuba diving in Tonga, it might be answered here in the most frequently asked questions about scuba diving in Tonga!

Is Tonga Good for Diving?

Tonga is exceptional for scuba diving, especially for qualified divers looking for a more adventurous, therefore, much less crowded dive destination with warm waters and a variety of marine life, from the macro creatures like nudibranchs to the mega mammals like humpback whales.

Can You Learn to Scuba Dive in Tonga?

Yes, you can learn to scuba dive in Tonga in Ha’apai where PADI operators are based – learn more in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Ha’apai.

Is it Safe to Swim with Whales?

Swimming with whales is generally safe provided you go with a licensed operator who respects the whale swimming regulations in Tonga. There are some associated risks with swimming with whales, which we outline in our guide, Is it Safe to Swim with Whales in Tonga?