The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 70 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. The country is divided into three main island groups; Vava`u, Ha`apai and Tongatapu. Tongatapu is also the name of the main island of the Tongatapu group, the most populous and largest of all the islands in Tonga and the home to the capital, Nuku`alofa. This is the most developed of the islands, and it has the best tourist infrastructure. The island is also the heritage and government center of Tonga, and you can visit the many beautiful churches, enjoy Tongan National Center`s culture displays, the markets and restaurants, and view the impressive Royal Palace.

Ha`apai island group consists of many small atolls only few meters above the sea level. It has the most uninhabited islands, fewest resorts and splendid untouched reefs. Ha`apai is a great ecotourism destination. Vava`u island group is the northernmost, and thus has the warmest climate. Vava`u islands are hilly and green, and the archipelago is great for yachting. Both Ha`apai and Vava`u islands are also ideal for sea kayaking as the islands are located close together, good camping sites are plentiful and water is incredible clear and warm. All islands of Tonga are of volcanic origin, and there is a range of typographies—some islands have high forested peaks and some are low coral atolls. Common features for the islands are white sand beaches, palm trees, coral reefs and clear waters. The nearest neighbors to Tonga are Fiji and Samoa in north.

Tonga is a wonderful year around destination with tropical climate modified by trade winds. Warm and humid season runs from December to April when temperatures can reach up to 90ºF. The cool and dry season is from May to November. June, July and August are the "winter" months, when average daytime temperature is 75°F, which makes it very pleasant during the day and cool at night. The morning sun greets a new day in Tonga before anywhere else in the world because its location next to the international dateline.

The oldest and last monarchy in the Pacific, the islands of Tonga were the only ones not to be colonized by Europeans. Tonga has been continuously independent for at least 500 years, which is a source of great pride for the islanders. The Kingdom of Tonga is a hereditary constitutional monarchy, headed by the King Tupou IV since 1965. The prime minister and the deputy minister are appointed for life by the monarch.

Explorer James Cook didn`t call Tonga the "Friendly Islands" for nothing, and the sincere hospitality and warmth of the Tongans is legendary. The population is mainly Polynesian and numbers around 109,000. Tongans are Christians, and speak both Tongan and English—the literacy rate is an impressive 98%. The economy`s base is agriculture. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. Main sources of income are tourism and fishing, and the country exports squash, fish, vanilla and coconut oil.

You need a valid passport to enter Tonga. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens staying a maximum of thirty days