What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Tonga, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 19 March 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Tonga, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Customs and dress code
Tongan society is very conservative and highly religious. People strictly observe the Sabbath. On Sundays, local people may consider recreational activities to be disrespectful. This does not apply to island resorts.
Topless sunbathing and nudity in public is illegal. You could be fined up to 100 pa’angas or get a prison sentence of up to 4 months if you refuse to pay.
Swimwear is acceptable on the beach or by streams and waterfalls, but in other areas it is likely to receive negative attention.
Mobile phone coverage
You can buy a local SIM card at the airport. You register it by giving your personal ID. Network coverage is usually reliable in towns, but can be patchy in rural locations.
Alcohol laws and bans
It’s illegal to drink alcohol in public except at bars or restaurants. The legal drinking age is 21. It is illegal for anyone aged 20 or under to buy alcohol. Drunken behaviour is likely to receive negative attention from locals.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Drug taking in all forms is illegal. The maximum penalty for importing or exporting illegal drugs is 30 years’ hard labour and fines of several hundred thousand US dollars. If you are found guilty of cultivating or distributing illegal drugs, you are likely to receive a severe punishment.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal in Tonga and the law is occasionally enforced. Same-sex partners showing affection in public may receive negative attention.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Tonga, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Tonga, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May, but cyclones can happen throughout the year. During the cyclone season there is a greater risk of severe weather including strong winds and heavy rain. Severe weather may cause floods, landslides, road closures and disrupt essential services and infrastructure. You should follow local advice and monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organization or Tonga Meteorological Services.
Earthquakes and tsunamis
Tonga is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes and volcanic activity can happen at any time and trigger tsunamis. Check advice from local Tongan authorities and tsunami alerts for the region.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesI
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
24 °C (75 °F)
Highs
29 °C (85 °F)
Rain
193 mm (7.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
February
Average
27 °C (81 °F)
Lows
25 °C (76 °F)
Highs
30 °C (86 °F)
Rain
194 mm (7.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
March
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
24 °C (75 °F)
Highs
29 °C (85 °F)
Rain
264 mm (10.4 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
April
Average
26 °C (79 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
29 °C (83 °F)
Rain
174 mm (6.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
May
Average
25 °C (76 °F)
Lows
22 °C (72 °F)
Highs
27 °C (81 °F)
Rain
105 mm (4.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
24 °C (75 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
27 °C (80 °F)
Rain
85 mm (3.3 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
July
Average
23 °C (74 °F)
Lows
21 °C (69 °F)
Highs
26 °C (79 °F)
Rain
92 mm (3.6 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
23 °C (73 °F)
Lows
20 °C (69 °F)
Highs
26 °C (78 °F)
Rain
110 mm (4.3 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
September
Average
24 °C (74 °F)
Lows
21 °C (69 °F)
Highs
27 °C (80 °F)
Rain
114 mm (4.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
24 °C (76 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
27 °C (80 °F)
Rain
110 mm (4.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
23 °C (73 °F)
Highs
28 °C (82 °F)
Rain
133 mm (5.2 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
December
Average
26 °C (79 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
29 °C (83 °F)
Rain
143 mm (5.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Tonga.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.