Destination Profile
Tonga might just be the most perfect South Sea island you've never thought of visiting. Firmly out of the spotlight, it's not got the honeymoon resort hotels of its near Polynesian neighbors. Instead, this archipelago nation prefers to flaunt its cotton-colored sands, its resplendent coral reefs, its crystal ocean waters, and misty rainforests. Oh, and there are lichen-speckled Maui tombs and vibrant islander fish markets to get stuck into for good measure. If all that sounds like your sort of thing, be sure to get searching for cheap flights to Tonga from New Zealand. Fua?amotu International Airport is the most likely arrival point, while direct connections out of Auckland are usually the quickest of all.
Pangaimotu Island isn't far from Tonga's capital. But it's still the place to go to sink into a hammock, snorkel your days away, and leave footprints on golden beaches.
You'll need to transfer to Tongatapu to find this glorious beach. It's worth it though, to see starfish in the glass-like water and surfers riding the reef breaks!
The home of the Tongan rugby team is the Teufaiva Stadium. You can go here to join the locals rooting for their ball carriers.
Air New Zealand fly direct between New Zealand and Tonga.
Air New Zealand is the best airline to fly between New Zealand and Tonga and it has non-stop flights.