Visit Tonga in the Off-Season!
Tonga has one, and only one, busy season for tourists; the whale season. Sure, swimming with humpback whales, which you can only do between July and October, is a dream for many but Tonga has so much more to offer. From a true South Pacific culture, countless uninhabited and unspoiled islands, a mesmerising underwater world and some of the oldest historical sites in the South Pacific, there’s lots to explore in Tonga in the low season.
When is the Low Season in Tonga?
The low season, also known as the “off-season” or “quiet season”, in Tonga is between January and April, while the shoulder seasons are May, June and November – that’s a huge period to explore Tonga at its quietest and cheapest time! Learn more about the low and shoulder seasons in The Best Time to Visit Tonga. Plus, discover more reasons to travel in the low season in Tonga in the list below…
1. Cheaper Flights
Often, what stands in the way between you and a getaway is the price of flights. Admittedly, there only seems to be a small window of decreased international airfares to Tonga around February and March, but airfare sales are much more abundant in the South Pacific between November and May. Where you’ll make the most savings in the low season, however, are on domestic flights in Tonga! The one domestic carrier is known to do airfare sales at various times throughout the low season where you’ll see fares as low as TOP$200 to Vava’u, TOP$50 to ‘Eua and TOP$150 to Ha’apai! Get more tips for getting cheaper international flights in How to Book a Cheap Flight to Tonga and domestic airfares in How Much Does it Cost to Fly in Tonga?
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Cheaper Accommodation Rates
During the whale season in Tonga, accommodation rates, particularly in Vava’u and ‘Eua, are cranked up to their highest, but in the low season, get ready to see some appealing decreases. We’ve seen some Tonga resorts do deals such as “pay for 5; stay for 7”, while many other accommodations will have specific “low season rates”. Some low season rates might not be advertised so we recommend asking about low season rates when booking. See what accommodation costs to expect in How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost?
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Less Tourists!
Admit it; no one likes tourists, not even tourists! We jest, of course, but if you’d rather not have people blocking your “Ha’amonga ‘a Maui” photos or getting splashed on by bombing kids in ‘Anahulu Cave then the low season is your season!
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. The Weather is Mostly Glorious
What puts many travellers off travelling Tonga in the low season is the term “wet season”. This conjures up images of constant rain, tropical storms and general misery for your holiday. However, this really isn’t the case! Tonga is still mostly sunny and hot, even in the low season. There’s just an increased amount of rain and a risk of cyclones. See what the wet season actually means by checking out our guide to the Tonga Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month.
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Tonga Looks Amazing All Year Round
Tonga is a tropical paradise all your round. There’s no season where the landscapes or seascapes look better than the other. The water is clear, corals are teeming with life, the historical sites still stand majestically, and the beaches and small islands dotting the archipelago still look like something from a postcard. Whatever time of the year you visit Tonga, there will be plenty of photo opportunities – just see Where to Take Pictures in Tonga: 10 Best Photography Spots.
(c) tongapocketguide.com6. More Sustainable!
Travelling in the low season puts less strain on infrastructure, making it a more sustainable time to travel to Tonga. Since you’re on a roll, see the 30 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. Be More Impulsive
For travellers who just like to go with the flow, the low season is the perfect time to explore Tonga. In the high season, Tonga’s boutique accommodations get booked up quickly. In the low season, you can walk into accommodations and just ask for a room. What’s more, if you discover an island you love and want to stay longer, it’s easy to book yourself a few extra nights on the spot!
(c) tongapocketguide.com8. There are Plenty of Events
Only in the low season can you experience Tonga’s enthusiastic take on Easter, Tonga’s National Day, the ‘Eua and Ha’apai Tourism Festivals, Emancipation Day and more. Check out more things happening throughout the year in The Top Events & Festivals in Tonga.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism9. Getting in the Water Feels Oh-So-Refreshing!
Believe it or not, after a whale swim in Tonga, many tourists sit on the boat shivering with the cool breeze while the boat speeds off to the next whale. Sure, Tonga is warm all year round, but admittedly, there are times and occasions when it can be a little chillier in the high season, which is Tonga’s winter by the way! In Tonga’s low season, which is summer, water activities are nothing short of refreshing, while feeling the balmy breeze on your skin is a good way to dry off.
(c) tongapocketguide.com10. Be Home for Christmas
Mid-way through Tonga’s low season, it gets a rude awakening around Christmas time when Tongans return home to visit families. During this time, attractions are packed, car rentals and guesthouses are fully booked, and flights are expensive. So spend Christmas at home with loved ones instead.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore About the Low Season in Tonga
That’s it for our list of reasons to visit Tonga during the low season. For more tips about when to visit, take a look at the following guides:
- Tonga Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month
- The Best Time to Visit Tonga
- Getting Here: How to Get to Tonga
Finally, for itineraries to inspire you on where to visit, take a look at the following compilations: The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 1 Week, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days and The Best Tonga Itineraries for a Weekend.
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