Tonga

This is the South Pacific of the imagination — a place lightly touched by tourism, where travelers can still find deserted beaches, uninhabited islands, and pristine lagoons navigated by outrigger canoe.

An aerial view of one of the tropical islands of Tonga surrounded by pristine blue water and coral reefs. Photo: Philip Thurston/iStock

Overview

Spread across a 270,000 square-mile swath to the south-central Pacific Ocean, Tonga gives visitors a “just right” blend of unspoiled beauty, authentic cultural heritage, and low-key modern development. Just 36 of the nation’s 176 islands are inhabited, and the entire archipelago welcomes fewer visitors in a year than the island of Oahu sees in a week. The number one attraction is whales. Tonga is known as the best destination in the world to swim with migrating humpbacks. But that’s far from the only reason to spend time in a place known as “the Friendly Islands.”

The pristine waters offer coral reefs that rarely see divers and snorkelers. Offshore waters challenge anglers, while calm bays invite chartered sailboats to drop anchor. A collection of mid- to upper-range properties are hidden among the palms on small islands, and seaside villages offer cozy guest lodges that are just a flip-flop stroll away from mom-and-pop restaurants serving the fresh bounty of land and sea.