commotiontraveller

We are hoping to travel to Tonga for a break after cycling New Zealand next year (2017) in January, but a bit bothered that our limited time there may be disrupted by the weather. Do people know what Januaty rainy season is typocally like? A couple of downpours that blow over quickly or hours of rain? Also - would this season be suitable for snorkelling? I would be disappointed to get there and not be able to see the wonderful underwater world. Any tips and advice very much welcomed. Thanks.

tasmangirl

We get Pacific Island temps on the TV weather report here in New Zealand and it's pretty hot in January. Think around 32 and 33 degrees.
Have a look at www.tongaholiday.com.
I think the rainy season is pretty wet! No surprises there so maybe going at another time would make for better snorkelling.

commotiontraveller

Thanks tasmangirl. I had looked at that site, but didn't find it that helpful as the average rainfall quoted and number of rainy days isn't that difference toto other months. I don't have any experience of the tropical rainfall so don't know what to expect. When we were in Thailand we had heavy downpours, but that cleared the heat so was quite nice. Is it like that or does it rain for long periods each day?

tasmangirl

Sorry can't answer that about the rain. I've not been to Tonga and I could not find much info about the place for you.
Tourism is only just starting in Tonga and its not well set up for tourists so you won't find a lot of infrastructure like Fiji or Hawaii.
As for the weather well - it does what it wants which is not a very helpful answer but that's how it is.
January is summer = hot and humid and wet in all Pacific islands. Kiwis and Australians go there in July/August to escape our winter. Go there if this is your only chance but the weather may disrupt your plans.

commotiontraveller

Thanks - it's probably our only chance to go and we are perfectly prepared to be away from the tourist trail and muck in with the locals and take things as they come so I think we'll risk the weather and have a little adventure even if it's in the rain.

Diamantina

Just curious, why Tonga? You'll probably be fine. By November, they should have some idea if it's going to be an active cyclone season, as they did in November 2016.
http://matangitonga.to/2016/11/30/to...yclones-season
In January 2016, Tonga was damaged by Cyclone Ula:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news...ectid=11568494
In February 2016, they were hit by Cyclone Winston:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/7698304...amage-in-Tonga
Hopefully, you won't encounter anything of this scale, but it's something to be aware of.

I haven't been to Tonga either, but I've been to New Caledonia, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, and always avoided the cyclone season. Tonga has been on our wish-list (mainly my husband's) because it is one of the world's top places to swim with humpbacks, but this is done during the dry season (July – October is winter/spring).

tasmangirl

Sounds like you are the 'roll with it" kind of traveler and won't get upset because there is no iron or shampoo in the hotel..lol.
Go for it then!
Down here in the Pacific we get used to the weather dictating life to us...outdoor weddings planned for February (usually the best month) then it pours all day, holidays at the beach and it's too windy to swim, snow in December.

Melnq8

No iron? Do people really iron on holiday? Madness!

tasmangirl

Madness indeed - much better things to do. Must be the same people who expect shampoo to be provided.

Diamantina

I don't even iron at home.

michelhuebeli

I've been to Tonga, not in January so your guess about the weather then would be as bad as mine, and overall I found the locals not to be in a welcoming frame of mind. They get overrun by folks coming off the boats for a few hours, and that means commerce that nobody sneezes at, but there is no welcoming culture of hospitality to speak of, whether personal or corporate. It reminded me a bit of Prague (I know, a geographical stretch...) before and for a few years after the fall of the iron curtain. No readiness to "serve" in a professional and polite and welcoming manner. You may get what you ask for (if it's available), but that's about it.

Have you looked at Noumea? I love the place, but I don't snorkel.
There is great snorkeling I hear, and read here
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...Caledonia.html

Weather info at http://www.holiday-weather.com/noumea/averages/