Tonga in December

Christmas brings home the diaspora: flights full despite the storm season.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatDry season begins; yachts start to arrive in Vava'u.
• JuneGreatCool, dry and clear; whales start to appear late in the month.
• JulyGreatWhale season and the Heilala Festival; book flights and whale boats months ahead.
• AugustGreatPeak whale month; dry and cool; Vava'u busiest.

• Tongatapu and 'Eua · Nuku'alofa, the south coast, 'Euarainy

  Southernmost group: Jun–Aug nights can drop to about 16 °C (61 °F), and the trade winds make it pleasant. Dec–Mar is humid with heavy showers and cyclone risk.Southernmost group: Jun–Aug nights can drop to about 61 °F (16 °C), and the trade winds make it pleasant. Dec–Mar is humid with heavy showers and cyclone risk.

• Ha'apai · Lifuka, Foa, Uolevarainy

  Low coral islands with little shade; the whole group is exposed to storms and to tsunamis.

• Vava'u · Neiafu and the island mazerainy

  A few degrees warmer and wetter than Tongatapu. The sheltered harbour makes it the sailing base; yachts arrive from May and leave before November.

• The Niuas · Niuatoputapu, Niuafo'oustorm or typhoon risk

  Remote northern islands closer to Samoa; hot, wet and rarely visited, with infrequent flights.

• Nuku'alofa29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 15 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• King Tupou I Day

  4 Dec

  Honours the founder of the modern kingdom; offices closed.

• Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

  25–26 Dec

  Diaspora families return from NZ, Australia and the US; flights full, churches packed, businesses shut.

• Start of cyclone season and Christmas

  Late Nov–Dec · Nuku'alofa

  Christmas is a family and church week: shops and tours close for several days.

Crowds · Tonga

High

Prices · Tonga

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Tonga, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Better another month

• The Niuas

  Remote northern islands closer to Samoa; hot, wet and rarely visited, with infrequent flights.