A Guide to Accessing WiFi in Tonga
For those of us who constantly use the internet for work or are addicted to social media, it’s hard to imagine not having access to WiFi. Travellers in Tonga might be surprised to find that the only WiFi connections they’re likely to find are in the occasional accommodation. While we definitely recommend making more of a connection with nature or with the locals in Tonga than with the online world, if you absolutely have to access the internet, this guide on where to get WiFi in Tonga should certainly help!
5 Things You Need to Know About WiFi in Tonga
Before we get started, here’s a quick overview of a few things you need to know about accessing WiFi in Tonga:
- The most reliable way to get WiFi in Tonga is by connecting to the local phone networks – get yourself a local SIM card
- Accommodations are ever-changing, so don’t be surprised if you see an advertisement for “free WiFi” but it’s, in fact, not the case
- Accommodation WiFi is not always free – check out Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost? for examples of prices
- Free public WiFi is extremely rare in Tonga
- If your phone is not compatible with the local network, you can rent a portable modem and data plan from the local phone networks.
Now, let’s get into the details about internet and WiFi in Tonga…
© TongaPocketGuide.comWiFi at Your Accommodation
The obvious go-to for WiFi is your accommodation in Tonga. Resorts, hotels and guesthouses advertise WiFi as one of their many appealing features. However, visitors need to be aware that WiFi is often applicable to just the communal areas, that it’s not always free, and it’s not even always available. When you see an accommodation saying “WiFi” or “free WiFi”, don’t take it as gospel.
Nevertheless, there are a few accommodations with decent WiFi and sometimes even free WiFi, especially in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u. We list a few below!
Accommodations in Tonga with Free In-Room WiFi
- House of Tonga, Nuku’alofa
- ‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast, Nuku’alofa
- Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Nuku’alofa
- Villa Ishadora, Nuku’alofa
- Seaview Lodge, Nuku’alofa
- Little Italy Hotel, Nuku’alofa
- JeZAmi Hotel, Nuku’alofa
- Paradise First Hotel, Nuku’alofa
- Sunrise Hotel, Nuku’alofa
- Green Lodge Holiday Homes, Nuku’alofa
- Sky Lodge, Nuku’alofa
- Mystic Sands, Vava’u
- Wolfgramm Beachfront, Vava’u
- Oceansong House, Vava’u
- Saralee’s House, Vava’u
Accommodations in Tonga with Free WiFi Communal Areas
- Blue Water Retreat, ‘Eua
- Ha’apai Beach Resort, Ha’apai
- The Harbourview, Vava’u
- Flying Annie Moa Bed & Breakfast, Vava’u
- Mala Island Resort, Vava’u
- Port Wine Guest House, Vava’u.
Start discovering Tonga’s best stays in our guide, Where to Stay in Tonga: The Best Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.comInternet and WiFi in Public Areas
While public WiFi might be available in abundance in more developed countries, this is not the case in Tonga. With the first public library only opening in 2019 and no WiFi at the airports, there’s no obvious go-to for public WiFi in Tonga other than its limited selection of internet cafes.
Internet Cafes in Tonga
- Dataline Computer Store & Internet Cafe, Wellington Road, Nuku’alofa
- Tau’olunga Komipiuta (Apple service provider), Salote Road, Fasi, Nuku’alofa
- Tropicana Cafe, Neiafu, Vava’u.
Cafes/Restaurants in Tonga with WiFi
- Bellavista Cafe, Neiafu, Vava’u (free WiFi)
- Tropicana Cafe, Neiafu, Vava’u (paid WiFi)
- The Harbourview, Toula, Vava’u (free WiFi).
Learn more about the cafes in the 10 Best Cafes in Tonga and 20 Best Restaurants in Tonga.
Vava’u Visitor Information Centre
That’s right, the Visitor Information Centre in Vava’u, also known as the Visitor Information Fale, has free WiFi available and an air-conditioned front office with a sofa to enjoy it in.
Libraries in Tonga with WiFi
Kolovai Community Public Library (Tongatapu) has laptops with the internet. Note that the library in Vava’u does not have WiFi.
© TongaPocketGuide.comWiFi Through the Phone Networks
What we often find as one of the best solutions to stay connected in Tonga is to get a local SIM card. That way, you’re phone will have access to the internet, plus, you can connect other devices to your mobile data using your phone a WiFi hotspot.
There are two major phone networks in Tonga, UCall (TCC) and Digicel Tonga. They both sell SIM cards for around TOP$5 but have wildly different data, call and text plans, which you can compare in The Best SIM Card in Tonga For Travellers.
One thing they have in common is that their data plans for accessing the internet are much cheaper than roaming rates from overseas networks. Plus, they are much more reliable and convenient for WiFi than what you can find in accommodations and public areas.
(c) tongapocketguide.comWiFi Through Modems and Pocket WiFi
Modems that connect to the ADSL network (basically the internet landline) of Tonga can be purchased from TCC, also known as Tonga Communications Corporation.
However, travellers may find a portable modem, also known as MiFi, a lot more convenient to use. You’ll just need to purchase/rent a portable modem from a TCC (UCall) or a Digicel Tonga store along with a UCall/Digicel SIM card. Portable modems allow you to connect any device to local phone network data. You may need to use a portable modem if your phone is not compatible with the local phone networks, which you can find out more about in Will Your Phone Work in Tonga?
Data plans for your portable modem range from TOP$15 for 5 Gb to TOP$310 for 200 Gb. There is usually a weekly fee for renting a portable modem plus a TOP$100 bond.
More About Accessing Internet and WiFi in Tonga
That’s it for our complete guide on how to get internet and WiFi in Tonga. For more ways of staying connected while on your travels, check out the following guides:
- How to Register a Drone in Tonga
- Tonga Electrical Outlets & Power Plugs
- The Best SIM Card in Tonga for Travellers
Finally, make sure you know all of the essential tips from the 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga and have everything packed using What to Pack for Tonga: A Full Tonga Packing List.
