Tonga

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==Cruiser's Friends==
==Cruiser's Friends==
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* Fins 'n' Flukes Diving and Whale Watching base in Pangai town are happy to provide general info to visiting cruisers. We have extensive experience in the local waters and provide free wireless internet access to cruisers. Tank fills and admin services are also available.
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*Fins 'n' Flukes Diving and Whale Watching base in Pangai town are happy to provide general info to visiting cruisers. We have extensive experience in the local waters and provide free wireless internet access to cruisers. Tank fills and admin services are also available.
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* Anyone planning to visit the [[Ha'apai]] group of Tonga - please feel free to contact me, Craig Airey at marinerstongaATyahoo.co.uk for any info whatsoever. We sailed to Tonga and bought a bar/restaurant so are "cruiserfriendly".
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*
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+
-
 
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* Anyone planning to visit the Ha'apai group of Tonga - please feel free to contact me, Craig Airey at marinerstongaATyahoo.co.uk for any info whatsoever. We sailed to Tonga and bought a bar/restaurant so are "cruiserfriendly".
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==References & Publications==
==References & Publications==

Revision as of 07:50, 23 September 2014

Tonga Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Tonga.

Tongamap.gif
Map - click for larger view
Tonga
Tongaflag.gif
Flag
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Language: Tongan, English
Currency: Tongan Dollar or Pa'anga
More notes about the country
Small info.png Latest News
Content - news items, etc.

Overview

Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom comprising 176 islands with a surface area of about 750 square kilometres scattered over 700,000 square kilometres of the South Pacific.

Tonga stretches over about 800 kilometres (500 mi) in a north-south line about a third of the distance from New Zealand to Hawaii. Tonga is south of Samoa and east of Fiji.

Cruising the region

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Climate & Weather

The climate is tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December). The cyclone season is from December to March.

Sources of weather forecast information:

Charts

Land Information NZ
NZ82 Tonga (1:750000)

Special Navigation Notes

Important Note: See the Unmarked Hazards list for the passage between Tonga and Fiji. (Kindly hosted by sv Ocelot)

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

Yachts arriving must fly the "Q" flag and the skipper must contact the Harbour Master or Customs. These officials may possibly wish to board the yacht. They will want the outward clearance form from your last port of call. Once all the fees & dues have been paid the yacht will receive an inward clearance document that allows you to visit the other islands - this document must be presented to the officials on all visited islands.

Immigration, Visas & Customs

Immigration

No visas are required for nationals from The European Union, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands, Dominica, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia ( New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis & Futuna), Japan, Kirabati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, The USA and Vanuatu - for stays of up to 30 days. All other visitors require a visa obtained in advance.

Visa extensions can be made by application at the Immigration Department, Nuku'alofa, Tonga (Ph: 26969 or 26970; Fax: 26971; Email The visa cost is $40 Tongan Panga per person, per month.

Customs

Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival and will be held in custody until your departure.

PETS: Dogs and birds may be destroyed. Other pets must not go ashore. Animals, birds and plants need a quarantine certificate. Fresh produce may be confiscated.

A Coastal Clearance Permit (obtained from a Customs office) is required when moving between island groups. Harbour dues must be paid at each "port" - the receipt will need to be presented at the next port. On arrival at the next island group, one must contact customs on arrival. When travelling between Nuku'alofa and Vava'u, or vice versa, one can request that the Coastal Clearance includes Ha'apai if intending to stop there.

Fees & Dues

  • Harbour Fees =
  • Light Dues =
  • Tonnage Dues =

Health

Submit any health warnings/information

Security

Details

Theft from a vessel anchored stern to in the harbour occurred in 2009.

Tenders may be damaged by children if left unattended for long periods.

Lock up when you leave and do not leave valuables on show as any theft is most likely to be opportunistic.

Ports & Anchorages

Islands

  • Tongatapu
  • Vava'u
  • Ha'apai - The Ha'apai group in Tonga should not be missed. Although more challenging than the waters of Vava'u, one can be assured of uncrowded, pristine anchorages with great snorkelling, diving and beaches.
  • Niuafo'ou Island

Local Custom

  • Anyone appearing in public without a shirt will be fined. Dress code is very strict as is Sunday observance, when no work (even on your own boat), sporting or other strenuous activities are allowed - not even laundry should be hung out to dry. Hats should never be worn either in church, or in the presence of a person in authority or someone to whom you wish to show respect. Displaying anger or frustration is considered very bad form in Tonga.

Cruiser's Friends

  • Fins 'n' Flukes Diving and Whale Watching base in Pangai town are happy to provide general info to visiting cruisers. We have extensive experience in the local waters and provide free wireless internet access to cruisers. Tank fills and admin services are also available.
  • Anyone planning to visit the Ha'apai group of Tonga - please feel free to contact me, Craig Airey at marinerstongaATyahoo.co.uk for any info whatsoever. We sailed to Tonga and bought a bar/restaurant so are "cruiserfriendly".

References & Publications

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?


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