Everything You Need to Know About Snorkelling in Tonga
If your mantra is making things no harder than it needs to be, then snorkelling is a fantastic way to explore the underwater world in Tonga. With just a snorkel, mask and fins, you’ll have everything you need to admire the amazing coral seascapes and variety of tropical fish found in Tonga’s waters. From resorts with amazing beaches for snorkelling to guided tours exploring sea caves and outer reefs, there are many options for snorkelling in Tonga. So start planning your snorkelling sessions in “The Kingdom” with this guide to snorkelling in Tonga!
10 Tips for Snorkelling in Tonga
- While some resorts and most tours have snorkelling gear, it’s usually best to bring your own gear for comfort
- Snorkelling with whales is only available between July and October
- Be sure to book snorkelling tours in advance during the whale season, as many of the snorkelling boats also run whale tours
- Snorkelling tours often have minimum numbers to go ahead. If there isn’t enough in your group, try joining a dive boat that might have space for snorkellers
- Some of the beaches have sharp coral in the shallow water, so reef shoes are recommended
- Don’t touch marine life
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and/or wear a rash vest even on cloudy days
- Avoid snorkelling near the reef’s edges and passages; they have strong currents
- Assess the conditions; high swells and snorkelling don’t mix
- Respect the local culture; some snorkelling spots are near villages where wearing modest clothing (even when swimming) is important.
For more safety advice, take a look at our guide to Tonga Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to Tonga? Plus, more information on respecting the local culture can be found in our guide, Tonga Etiquette: Local Customs & Traditions.
(c) tongapocketguide.comThe Best Places to Snorkel in Tonga
Snorkelling can be enjoyed all across Tonga, as 750,000 km² (290,000 mi²) of islands and ocean gives you a lot to work with! However, when it comes to snorkelling in Tonga at places you can actually get to, where are the best places to snorkel? We go over some of our top picks in the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Tonga.
Snorkelling in Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the easiest island to travel to in Tonga, as it is home to the country’s main international airport. While the best snorkelling from Tongatapu is surrounding the islands of its northern lagoon, making snorkelling tours the most appealing option, the beaches along the southern shore of the main island are worth donning your mask and snorkel for some independent snorkelling.
Plan some snorkelling spots to visit with The Best Snorkelling in Tongatapu: 10 Best Places to Snorkel and find tour operators in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Tongatapu. As for the rest of the logistics for planning a trip to the islands, check out The Complete Travel Guide to Tongatapu.
Snorkelling in Vava’u
One of the northern island groups of Tonga, Vava’u is a popular tourist destination, particularly for its underwater adventures. Some of the country’s most exciting snorkelling spots can be found here between Swallows Cave and the Coral Gardens. The best snorkelling can be found with boat tours, but there are a few beaches to scout out should you want the ease of snorkelling from shore or a resort.
Check out the snorkelling highlights of the island group in The Best Snorkelling in Vava’u: Top 10 Places to Snorkel and compare tours in the 5 Best Snorkelling Tours 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.
Snorkelling in Ha’apai
For travellers looking to get off the beaten track, the central island group of Ha’apai offers an idyllic scattering of sandy islands and islets that’s especially good for snorkelling from shore. Whale tours with snorkelling incorporated into the experience are available between July and October, while dedicated snorkelling tours are available outside of the whale season.
See some excellent snorkelling beaches in The Best Snorkelling in Ha’apai: 5 Best Places to Snorkel, as well as tours 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.
Snorkelling in ‘Eua
Southeast of Tongatapu, ‘Eua is a rocky island with dramatic drop-offs, making it mainly suitable for strong swimmers. While snorkelling from shore might be limited to beaches like Ha’aluma Beach, those who can arrange a boat tour with one of the island’s accommodations will have access to some amazing snorkelling at the island’s outer reef.
A little bit about ‘Eua’s snorkelling tours can be found in the 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in Tonga, while more about organising a trip can be found in The Complete Travel Guide to ‘Eua.
More About the Best Places to Snorkel in Tonga
If planning where to snorkel based on Tonga’s island groups has got you all confused, perhaps deciding where to base yourself for a snorkelling holiday will be easier through these guides:
© TongaPocketGuide.comWhere to Hire Snorkelling Gear in Tonga
Although we highly recommend bringing your own snorkelling gear to Tonga – see our favourite gear for the islands in the 20 Essentials You Need to Pack for Tonga, if you really can’t fit it into your luggage then there are a few places where snorkelling gear can be hired or purchased.
Snorkel Hire at Resorts
Although snorkelling gear is available for guests to use free of charge at some of Tonga’s resorts, this is not always a given. We always recommend double-checking if a resort has snorkel equipment hire – even if advertised – because it is notorious for going missing. Otherwise, we list the resorts with snorkel hire in the 10 Best Resorts for Snorkelling in Tonga.
Snorkel Hire on Snorkelling Tours
Masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits are typically included in snorkelling tours in Tonga. Learn more about snorkelling tours in the section below.
Snorkel Hire in Tonga
In addition to the above, there is a limited number of snorkel rental shops available in Tonga, particularly in Vava’u:
- Cafe Tropicana – The Swiss-army knife of cafes in Vava’u, Cafe Tropicana (Neiafu) has a number of rental options including masks, snorkels and fins.
- Beluga Diving – A dive operator at Fangafoa Marina (Neiafu) in Vava’u has a number of snorkelling and dive gear for rent.
Stores Selling Snorkelling Gear in Tonga
Watersports equipment stores are limited in Tonga, but you can purchase snorkelling gear from shops in Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu, as well as in Vava’u. Some of the snorkel shops in Tonga include:
- JeZAmi Hotel – The hotel owns a watersports shop downstairs with gear available to purchase in Nuku’alofa
- OE Home Centre – Has snorkelling gear for sale on Fatafehi Road, Nuku’alofa
- The Yacht Shop – Snorkelling gear is sometimes available to purchase at this store in Neiafu town centre, Vava’u
- The BoatYard – Snorkelling gear is sometimes available to purchase at the store of this boat storage facility in Vava’u (Wellington Road, Neiafu).
Bring Your Own Snorkelling Gear: Tonga Snorkel Packing List
Although we have an extensive packing list in the What to Pack for Tonga: A Full Tonga Packing List. Some things to pack for snorkelling include:
- Swimwear (Bikini/One-piece/Boardshorts)
- Mask and snorkel
- Beach/travel towel
- Rash vest
- Beach bag/Day pack – we usually travel with Herschel‘s backpacks and tote bags
- Reef shoes/water shoes.
(c) tongapocketguide.comSnorkelling Tours in Tonga
If you want to amp up the snorkelling experience, then snorkelling boat tours are well worth considering. Boat tours take you to untouched outer reefs, bommies and caves that you can’t otherwise reach to allow you to snorkel among surreal seascapes.
There are snorkelling tours available in Tonga’s four main island groups, but travellers will find the most options in Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u.
Snorkelling tours in Tonga typically include snorkelling gear, such as a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit but it’s usually recommended that travellers who have their own gear bring it to ensure the best fit. Most snorkelling tours will also include snacks, drinks and/or lunch, but not all! Therefore you may want to bring your own snacks, water, towel and reef-safe sunscreen. We state inclusions for each tour in the 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in Tonga.
Note that some snorkelling operators do not provide their standard snorkelling tours during the whale season. On the other hand, many whale swimming tours still visit snorkelling spots with lots of coral and fish. See the 10 Best Whale Swim Tours in Tonga, should you be visiting Tonga during the whale season.
More About Snorkelling in Tonga
That’s it for the complete guide to snorkelling in Tonga, but it’s by no means the end of our advice! Learn more about planning a snorkelling-orientated getaway in the following guides:
- 10 Best Resorts for Snorkelling in Tonga
- A Traveller’s Guide to Wildlife in Tonga
- The Guide to Scuba Diving in Tonga
Finally, inspire yourself with more experiences with the 101 Best Things to Do in Tonga: The Ultimate List. Plus, get even more tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
