Sport & Activities
Watersports
Tongan coral reefs provide great beauty and variety for scuba diving and snorkelling; fully-equipped boats, scuba diving and snorkelling equipment can be hired. Contact the Tonga Visitors Bureau for information. There are sandy beaches and excellent swimming throughout the islands, with pools at some hotels. There is a world-standard surfing beach on the island of 'Eua, 11km (7 miles) from Tongatapu. Niutoua Beach, on the main island, and Ha'apai and Vava'u islands are also good for surfing. Tongan waters are excellent for fishing. There are plentiful game fish including barracuda, tuna, marlin and sailfish. Charter boats are available.
Whale watching
Humpback whales arrive in Tongan waters from around June through to November to calf and to mate. Special speakers for whale watching are plugged into a hydrophone installed on board the Phoenix catamaran based at Neiafu; only the male whales sing.
Horse riding
Horses are still a means of transportation on all the main island groups. Hotels and tour operators can make arrangements for hiring horses. Saddles are not normally available and previous riding experience is strongly recommended.
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