What is the Weather Like in Tonga in June?
June is the time when many travellers from Australia or New Zealand look to escape the winter – often looking to Tonga! Tonga is essentially a winterless group of islands where temperatures are unlikely to drop below 20°C / 67°F! Days tend to be dry and balmy, where it’s extremely comfortable to explore the islands’ historic sites, take part in cultural activities, and swim in the warm tropical waters. The influx of tourists to Tonga doesn’t arrive until the end of June when the whale season starts to stir. Learn more about the temperatures, rainfall and more in this guide to the Tonga weather in June.
Before we jump into this weather guide for June, be sure to bookmark Tonga Weather by Month: What is the Weather Like in Tonga? for more advice.
5 Tips for Visiting Tonga in June
- June can be a little too early for successful whale swims, so plan a few days to try your luck or simply set your expectations right
- While June is considered the “dry season”, be prepared for rain at any time
- The water visibility is at its best in June, so pack your snorkel mask or book that dive trip!
- Apply high-factor reef-safe sunscreen in regular intervals
- The end of June is one of Tonga’s biggest events, the Heilala Festival, so expect Nuku’alofa, flights and ferries to be booked up early around this time.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTypical Temperatures in June
Comfortably mild days and cooler nights are a typical June day in Tonga. Whether you’re in the sea or out exploring the famous landmarks of Tonga, visitors get that tropical heat experience without the extreme humidity in June.
The average maximum temperature in June is 29°C / 84°F and the average low is 20°C / 67°F – typically at night.
Temperatures Across Tonga
- Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 78°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 67°F
- Vava’u – The average maximum temperature is 28°C / 82°F and the minimum average temperature is 21°C / 70°F
- Ha’apai – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 79°F and the minimum average temperature is 21°C / 70°F
- ‘Eua – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 78°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 67°F
- The Niuas – The average maximum temperature is 29°C / 84°F and the minimum average temperature is 23°C / 73°F.
Sea Temperature in June
Tonga has warm sea temperatures all year round, dropping down to 24°C / 75°F in mid-winter. However, June’s waters are the warmest in winter with an average sea temperature of 26°C / 78°F.
© TongaPocketGuide.comHours of Sun in June
While the days in June are at their shortest out of the whole year, that’s still an average of 11 hours of daylight. Sunshine hours are typically 5 hours a day. In short, June is the perfect time for sun lovers to visit Tonga.
UV Levels During June
The UV levels in June in Tonga are far less harsh than in the islands’ summer months. However, with a level of 7+ UV index around midday, it’s still essential to apply high-factor sunscreen. For advice on sun protection, check out The Best Sunscreens for Tonga + Sun Protection Tips.
Sunrise and Sunset During June
June has daylight hours lasting around 11 hours a day in Tonga.
- Sunrise – 7:11 am at the beginning of June and 7:19 am at the end of June
- Sunset – 6:06 pm at the beginning of June and 6:10 pm at the end of June.
Learn more about the local time zone in What is the Tonga Time Zone?
© TongaPocketGuide.comRainfall in June
June might be part of the dry season, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a drop of rain on these tropical islands. Although much drier than in summer, June has an average of 14 days of rain – that’s almost half of the month! It’s also the time of the year when the southern islands of Tongatapu and ‘Eua experience a bit more rain than the northern islands of Vava’u (usually, it’s the other way around).
Tonga receives an average of 95 mm / 3.7 in of rainfall in the month of June, with around 14 days out of June experiencing rain.
Average Rainfall Across Tonga
- Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa – The average rainfall in June is 95 mm / 3.7 in
- Vava’u – The average rainfall in June is 80 mm / 3.1 in
- Ha’apai – The average rainfall in June is 80 mm / 3.1 in
- ‘Eua – The average rainfall in June is 95 mm / 3.7 in
- The Niuas – The average rainfall in June is 110 mm / 4.3 in.
© PixabayTropical Storms in June
The South Pacific cyclone season runs between November and April. June is one of the best months to avoid tropical cyclones in Tonga with a very low risk of tropical storms developing.
Other months that have a low risk of tropical storms in Tonga include July, August and September.
Find out more about tropical storms in Tonga in How to Prepare for a Cyclone in Tonga.
(c) tongapocketguide.comBest Places to Visit in Tonga in June
June is a great time to visit Tonga, as the tourist season gets in full swing and most activity operators are open again for the season. It’s also the early days of the whale season in Tonga, where whales can be seen from Tonga’s southern islands. On top of all that, one of Tonga’s largest events takes place in Tongatapu, the Heilala Festival.
Tongatapu – Tonga’s main island plays host to the Heilala Festival, which celebrates the birthday of the king and includes over a week of celebrations. It’s also the beginning of the whale season, where you could try your chances swimming with whales with the operators from Tongatapu. Otherwise, there’s still plenty more to experience, between limestone caves, blowholes, beaches and cultural activities. Find out more about Tongatapu in The Complete Guide to Tongatapu.
Ha’apai – Often considered a hidden gem of Tonga, the middle island group of Ha’apai might be far less visited but is definitely worth travelling to for the gorgeous beaches and glistening waters of coral and other marine life. Whales are included in the mix, with plenty of operators offering whales swimming off the islands. It’s still early days for whale swimming, however, so if you don’t have a successful swim, at least you’ll enjoy these islands while all of the resorts are open and they are quieter than during the months to come. Find out more in The Complete Guide to Ha’apai.
(c) tongapocketguide.comJune Packing List for Tonga
How should you pack in June for the weather and the local customs? Check out this list of recommendations…
- Light bamboo, linen or merino layers (we like the sustainable bamboo clothing of Moso Morrow)
- Light long-sleeved tops (to cover from the sun and take the edge off those slightly cooler nights)
- Light pants/trousers/skirt (for the evenings and to cover the skin in areas where you need to dress more modestly)
- Light jacket (for the evening 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 June. 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.
