| Tonga is a small archipelago in the South Pacific | | | | weekend or 2-3 days during the week. |
| that is visited by over 35,000 holiday makers | | | | During the voyage, sailors will get to see some of |
| each year. Most of these visitors go for the | | | | the best ocean sites in the south Pacific including a |
| diving, snorkelling, game fishing and sailing in Tonga | | | | range of game fish species - that can be fished |
| as it is these activities that the island kingdom is | | | | for all year round - dolphins and even the odd |
| renowned for. Recently sailing in Tonga has been | | | | turtle. The islands along the way offer a real taste |
| described as on a par with that of Hawaii and this | | | | of Tongan culture as well as some traditional food |
| has boosted the industry even further. | | | | and drink. Long distance sailing in Tonga also |
| Sailing around Vavau | | | | provides a great opportunity to do some deep |
| Vavau is the main island of the northern district of | | | | sea scuba diving or just some swimming in the |
| Tonga and it is here that most of the charter | | | | ocean. |
| operators work from. In fact Vavau has one of | | | | Sailing in Tongatapu |
| the largest charter operations in the south pacific | | | | There are a few charter operators based in |
| and it continues to grow each year. The island | | | | Tongatapu that offer day trips around the best |
| itself offers sheltered sailing which is ideal for | | | | sections of the islands. Tongatapu has lively reefs |
| novice ocean-goers. Trips leave twice a day for | | | | with an abundance of sea life which is again easily |
| areas that offer top quality scuba diving and | | | | seen from the boat or by snorkelling. The waters |
| snorkelling or alternatively some boats can be | | | | around the islands of the south are not as busy |
| hired on a daily basis for extra sailing time. | | | | as they are around Vavau which means that it is |
| The waters around Tonga are so clear that many | | | | often possible to have a full day sailing without |
| of the reefs and sea life can be seen from the | | | | seeing another boat anywhere. |
| boat. The reefs around the main islands of Vavau | | | | When to go sailing in Tonga |
| are home to thousands of ocean creatures, many | | | | The charter operators generally work throughout |
| of which are curious enough to swim close to the | | | | the year and the ocean temperature stays warm |
| charters. A day trip can either be spent at sea or | | | | enough for snorkelling and diving in any season. |
| it can be used to visit some of the smaller, more | | | | The humpback whales arrive in June and leave in |
| reclusive islands in the region. | | | | November however the large game fish are |
| Whale Watching in Tonga | | | | available to be caught all year round. |
| One of the busiest times for the Vavau | | | | It is worth noting though that the inhabitants of |
| operators is between the months of June and | | | | Tonga, in general, obey the laws of the Sabbath |
| November when the humpback whales arrive | | | | and so all commerce and entertainment stop at |
| from the Antarctic. These magnificent creatures | | | | midnight on Saturday until midnight on Sunday. |
| come to the warm waters of Tonga once a year | | | | Hence, weekend charters will only be run by |
| to give birth to their young and to mate again. | | | | non-native Tongans. |
| The whales are surprisingly friendly and they | | | | Conclusion |
| tolerate the extensive sailing in Tonga very well. | | | | Sailing in Tonga is described by many as a dream |
| In fact, it is possible to swim with the whales on | | | | experience whether it is enjoyed for a day or |
| some days and with some charter operators. | | | | weeks at a time. Hiring a charter means you not |
| Long Distance Sailing in Tonga | | | | only get to sail in the south Pacific, you also have |
| A number of the larger charter operators run | | | | the opportunity to go snorkelling, scuba diving, |
| ocean going trips down to the island group of | | | | swimming and even game fishing if you want. The |
| Haapai in central Tonga and also to Tongatapu in | | | | boats that work out of Vavau range from classic |
| the south. Haapai is an 8 hour sail from Vavau and | | | | yachts to luxury cruisers and virtually all of them |
| Tongatapu is another 8 hours further on which | | | | are available throughout the year. |
| means that trips to these island groups take a full | | | | |