If the allure of the most stunning blue and green sea, endless golden beaches, a remoteness that you never imagined still existed, and a simple way of life appeals to you, then Tonga could be the South Pacific dream you are looking for.
However, following the awful events of 14th January 2022, when a huge volcanic blast occurred just off of Tonga, Tonga has probably not featured on your list of places to move to.
But it should be on your shortlist and in this post we find out why.
Tonga is a great destination for expats for numerous reasons, as you will see below, but it is the things that you cannot put into words, the experiences, sounds, and sights of these magical islands that make Tonga so special.
But as with any home move, you must consider the negative aspects of making such a move and thoroughly research anything that could adversely affect your quality of life.
Read the pros and cons of moving to Tonga in conjunction with the other sections of this guide to make a more informed decision about your move to Tonga.
The Pros of Moving to Tonga
Making Tapa cloth
Tonga is not a typical South Pacific Island: Going to live in Tonga, you will be immersed in the locals’ way of life; there is no expat cocoon that you find in many places. You will learn to live alongside and integrate with Tongans, and have a far better quality of life for that very reason.
The Weather: The climate in Tonga is tropical and does not vary greatly throughout the year. The summers are hot but very rarely get above 35°C, and with the cooling trade winds is a near-perfect temperature. Even during the wet seasons, the weather is warm.
Friendly People: The people of Tonga are very friendly, although they can be shy. As an expat, you will be welcomed with open arms.
English is Widely Spoken: Not so much in rural parts, but in the main towns and cities, English is widely spoken. Lessons in schools and business transactions are all made in English.
Large Expat Community: Many people like to have a support network when they move to a new country, and Tonga has a large expat community to help you adapt to your new life.
Education: Schooling is compulsory, with an almost 100% level of literacy amongst the population of Tonga.
Tranquility: Tonga is a peaceful and relaxing place to live, and, being a very spiritual country, it even prohibits any kind of work or business opening on a Sunday when they strictly observe the Sabbath.
Traditional Way of Life: The traditions of Tonga are still going strong and help create a wonderfully simple way of life. Meals are often cooked in underground ovens outside (called an ‘umu), and you will hear the sound of tree bark being beaten to produce Tapa cloth wherever you go.
Crime: The crime rate is very low, and although there is some petty crime, it is considered a very safe place to live.
Healthcare: Healthcare is free for Tongans, and they have fixed prices for expats in public hospitals, although private hospitals are also available.
Food: Tongans love their food. The ingredients are fresh and locally produced or caught, and the portions are huge by Western standards. And any excuse is a good excuse for a feast here.
Nature: Between June and November, you can swim with humpback whales who come here to breed and calve. Coupled with uninhabited islands, great weather, and a lack of traffic, this is a nature lover’s paradise.
Wildlife: Not only is there an abundance of marine wildlife to see and enjoy, but more importantly, there is only one venomous snake on the island, usually found in shallow waters, so they are easily avoided.
Sunrises and Sunsets: Tonga is blessed with the most amazing sunrises as it is situated just off the International Date Line and the Tropic of Capricorn. This means that it is one of the first countries in the world to welcome in the new day.
Outdoor Pursuits: From snorkeling to deep sea fishing, rugby to volleyball, to hiking and cycling, if you enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, you will love Tonga.
Rugby: If you love rugby, then you will feel right at home as Tongans are obsessed with the sport.
The Cons of Moving to Tonga
Deciding which beach to relax on could be the most stressful thing you have to do all day
No country in the world is absolutely ideal for everybody, so in this section, we will highlight some things about living in Tonga that you should be aware of.
Some will be game-changers for some people, whilst neither here nor there for others.
Natural Hazards: The tropical climate and being in the South Pacific mean that you will experience some geological and weather events. During the cyclone season between December and February, earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts are experienced in Tonga.
Internet Speeds: There are limited internet services outside of the urban areas, so if you are a digital nomad and need good internet speeds for work, then avoid the more rural locations. There are numerous internet cafes on the islands if you need them.
Remoteness: Tonga is remote; it takes a long time to get there, and a long time for supplies to reach you. If you live rurally, then you will often have no electricity, and you will be a long way from good medical care should you need it.
Healthcare: Healthcare is quite limited in rural areas, and although the medical staff are well trained, facilities and medical equipment are limited.
Vegetarianism: The Tongans’ diet is meat-heavy, and a meal is considered incomplete without it. Fresh fruit and veg are readily available, but you may struggle to get locals to understand why you would choose not to eat meat.
Moral Standards: This is neither a pro nor a con, but something to be aware of. Tonga is a spiritual place with the Christian religion widely practiced. The dress code is very conservative, with arms, legs, and chest having to be covered by clothing. Public displays of affection are also frowned upon.
It is not your typical expat destination: The crystal clear water, beautiful beaches, tropical climate, and stunning marine life will attract many expats, but don’t expect 5-star restaurants or glitzy clubs to be open 24 hours. This is a place to relax, forget the time, and enjoy the moment with the simple things in life. Life won’t always be easy here, but you will be in the South Pacific, looking out over views that others can only dream about.
You may also like to read: Should I Move Abroad? In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in another country.
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Tonga?
Local produce drives the cost of living down in Tonga
www.traveltables.com calculates the cost of living in Tonga, excluding rent, to be between £1,035 and £768 per month for 2 people.
Generally, anything imported is expensive, as you would expect, whilst locally grown or produced items are very cheap.
Property is very cheap to buy, as we will discover later in this guide.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Tonga?
Tonga is one of the first countries in the world to welcome in the new day
Property, yes. Land, no.
Property in Tonga is extremely cheap compared with other South Pacific Islands, the reason being that you cannot buy land in Tonga; it is all owned by the King.
Leases for land are usually between 20 and 99 years and are renewable when they expire.
The advantage of leasing land rather than freehold is that you can lease far cheaper, and therefore get an amazing property, in an incredible position, for a lot less than you could ever imagine.
But, the laws around buying a property and leasing the land can be extremely complex, so it is recommended that you seek the services of a licensed real estate and property management company to guide you.
And like anywhere in the world, if the deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is, so always go with a reputable real estate company.
www.propertytonga.com is one such licensed company that lists homes for sale, property to rent, businesses for sale, and even islands for sale.
www.southpacificrealestate.to has listings of many properties in Tonga as well as lots of useful advice about living in Tonga.
You may also like to read: What is the Fear of Moving and How to Overcome It. In this guide, we explore why it is so scary to move home, the strategies you can use to overcome that fear, and how to make that home move as stress-free as possible.
What Visa Do I Need for Living in Tonga?
For the most up-to-date information regarding visa requirements for living in Tonga, you should contact the Tongan Embassy in your home country.
Their contact details are listed in the moving guides later in this article.
Most people who move to Tonga will be either retired or going to work. Two specific visas cover these options:
Employment Visa for Tonga
You should apply for an employment visa at least 4 weeks before you move.
To apply for an employment visa for Tonga, you will need:
A visa application form (available from the Tonga Embassy in your country)
Two recent passport photographs
A passport that is valid for the duration of the visa
A medical report validated by the Immigration Division
A criminal record check from your country of residence
A letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce, and Industries
The application fee of TOP$175
An offer of employment from a company registered in Tonga
Employment contract
Evidence of professional skills
Relevant certificates/licences as required under the law of Tonga
The employers’ company registration and business licence numbers
Assured Income Visa for Tonga
If you are planning on retiring to Tonga, you will need an Assured Income Visa.
To apply for an Assured Income Visa, you will need:
A completed visa application form (available from the Tongan Embassy in your country)
Two recent passport photographs
A passport valid for the period during which the visa will be issued
A medical report validated by the Immigration Division
A criminal record check from your country of residence
Two character references
Evidence that you have an income of at least TOP$10,000 per year
How Much Does it Cost to Move From the UK to Tonga?
The cheapest way to move to Tonga is to take as few possessions as possible.
If you can fit all the things you wish to take in suitcases, then the cheapest way to get them to Tonga will probably be as excess luggage.
You could use a company such as www.mybaggage.com, which quotes £320 for sending up to 30kg from the UK to Tonga.
To move a 1-bed flat (shared load) from the UK to Tonga costs approximately £3800-£5,500
To move a 2-bed house (shared load) from the UK to Tonga costs approximately £6,000-£9,000
To move a 3-bed home (20ft shipping container) from the UK to Tonga costs approximately £8,500-£13,000
To move a 4-bed home (40ft shipping container) from the UK to Tonga costs approximately £12,000-£18,000
These are very rough average costs; it will depend entirely on how much stuff you have to move.
On average, it takes 12 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container.
The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight, but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
When contacting international removal companies, be sure to get quotes for the various means of transportation and the approximate delivery times.
You can get a free no-obligation quote for your exact requirements by filling out this easy quote form.
How Much are Flights from London to Tonga?
A one-way ticket with 1 cabin bag and 2 pieces of checked luggage from London to Tonga is about £950, depending on the time of year you are travelling.
The cheapest day of the week to fly to Tonga is a Saturday, with Monday being the most expensive day.
The cheapest month to fly to Tonga is usually October, whilst December is the most expensive.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Tonga. The quickest flight takes 36 hours and 35 minutes and has 2 stopovers.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1400-1700
Recommended Vaccinations for Australians Moving to Tonga
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers recommends that you have the following vaccinations for Tonga:
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Polio
Flu
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have, and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Pa’anga and hovers around 1.70 TOP$ to 1 AUD$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From Australia to Tonga?
The fewer items you move to Tonga, the cheaper your home costs will be, but the average cost of moving from Australia to Tonga is:
A partial move of 2000lbs or less from Australia to Tonga is approximately 850AUD$
A 1-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 1,800 AUD$
A 2-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 2,800 AUD$
A 3-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 3,700 AUD$
Your removal costs will depend upon many factors, and the only way to know for sure what your removal costs will be is to get quotes from professional international removalists.
You can get your free, no-obligation quote in just a few minutes by completing this form.
On average, it takes 3-4 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container.
The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight, but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
How Much are Flights from Australia to Tonga?
Flights from Australia to Tonga cost between $820 and $1470, depending on the time of year you travel and from where.
March is usually the cheapest month to fly to Tonga, when you can get flights for as little as $500.
Flight times will vary, of course, but as an example, Melbourne to Nuku’alofa is approximately 14 hours.
To discover the flight times and average prices of flights from Australia to Tonga, check out www.rome2rio.com
You may also like to read: How to Avoid Culture Shock When Moving Home. In this guide, we look at the topic of culture shock. Whether you are moving ten miles or ten thousand miles, the environment, people around you, the weather, and the culture can all be very different and can be very unnerving. Here we show you how to avoid culture shock so that you settle into your new home as quickly and easily as possible.
Moving to Tonga from NZ
The second-highest number of people moving to Tonga recently are coming from NZ.
If you intend to live in Tonga and are not of Tongan nationality, then you will need an employment visa or an assured income visa.
The Tonga High Commission in Auckland will be able to provide you with all the information and forms you require to be able to obtain your visa.
The Tonga High Commission
“Atalangi”
14 Landscape Road
Epsom
1024
Auckland
New Zealand
Telephone: 09 624 6303
Email: saho@xtra.xo.nz
Working hours: Monday to Friday 0900-1200 and 1300-1500hrs
Recommended Vaccinations for New Zealanders Moving to Tonga
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have, and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations that you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Pa’anga, and the exchange rate is about 1.4 TOP$ to 1 NZ$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From NZ to Tonga?
The majority of people will not take any furniture with them when they move to Tonga, and if you are only taking clothes, then it may be cost-effective to take them as excess baggage on your flight.
The fewer items you move to Tonga, the cheaper your home costs will be, but the average cost of moving from Australia to Tonga is:
A partial move of 2000lbs or less from Australia to Tonga is approximately 920NZD$
A 1-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 1,950NZD$
A 2-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 3,000NZD$
A 3-bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 4,000NZD$
Your removal costs will depend upon many factors, and the only way to know for sure what your removal costs will be is to get quotes from professional international removalists.
You can get your free, no-obligation quote in just a few minutes by completing this form.
On average, it takes 3-4 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container. The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight, but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
How Much are Flights from NZ to Tonga?
Flights from NZ to Tonga vary depending on your departure and landing airports.
Tauranga to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$450 and NZ$850 and takes about 6 hours
Christchurch to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$446 and NZ$900 and takes about 8 hours
Palmerston to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$400 and NZ$750 and takes about 6 hours
To find more travel options from NZ to Tonga, visit www.rome2rio.com
You may also like to read: How to Decide if It Is Time to Move Home or Not. In this guide, we help you determine whether moving home now is the right time for you. Moving home is a big decision, and emigrating is an even bigger one. This guide will help you make a reasoned decision in your circumstances.
Moving to Tonga from the USA
Every beach and island has a special story to tell in Tonga
Many Americans are drawn to the beautiful islands of Tonga to experience a unique way of life in stunning surroundings.
With English being widely spoken, low crime rates, and a family-oriented society, it is easy to see the appeal of moving to Tonga.
If you wish to live in Tonga and are not of Tongan nationality, then you will need an employment visa or an assured income visa.
The Tonga High Commission will be able to provide you with all the information and forms you require to be able to obtain your visa.
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have, and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Pa’anga, and the exchange rate is about 2.4 TOP$ to 1 US$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From the USA to Tonga?
If you intend to move to Tonga with very few possessions, then you could expect to pay around $3,500 for a pallet that weighs around 133lbs.
For a 4-bed size home move, expect to pay up to $15,000, depending upon the services you require.
The only true way to get an accurate quote for your move from the USA to Tonga is to get a free, no-obligation quote via the moving costs calculator.
You will then receive up to 4 quotes so that you can compare costs and services.
How Much are Flights from the USA to Tonga?
These are average costs and travel times from the USA to Tonga:
556Flights from Los Angeles to Nuku’alofa cost about $556 – $1,800 and take about 23 hours
Flights from Miami to Nuku’alofa cost about $958 – $1,800 and take around 30 hours
Flights from Houston to Nuku’alofa cost around $958 – $1,700 and take about 28 hours
There are no direct flights from the USA, but Tonga is served well via Hawaii, Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Fiji, and Samoa on Royal Tongan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, and Polynesian Airlines.
You can find out the average flight times and costs from your local international airport at www.rome2rio.com
You may also like to read: Moving Home After a Life-Changing Event. Many people consider moving overseas to start a new life after a life-changing event. In this guide, we help you weigh up the pros and cons of making such a big decision after a life-changing event.
It would be hard to put up with this type of food in this environment, but I guess you would learn to cope.
Should I move to Tonga? Whether you are moving halfway around the world or just a few miles away, it often makes sense to rent a place in different locations to ensure that you are making the right move.
Tonga offers you the opportunity to lead a peaceful life, in a traditional way, amongst beautiful scenery.
But just as some people cannot adjust to city life. Or living in another part of their home country, Tonga will not be for everyone.
Take your time to find out as much as you can about daily life in Tonga, which will be very different from spending a holiday there.
Visit the expat forums and social media groups to glean as much information as you can.
Volunteering would also be a great introduction to Tonga and will be a fantastic experience for you, whilst helping the local community at the same time.
When emigrating to another country, one of the most important things to do is manage your expectations.
Often, problems that you have now will move with you; they do not always just magically disappear.
When you move to a different country, and it does not resolve your current problems or take away the reasons for your current stresses, you will find a whole new set of things that will stress you.
Equally, a move to a stunning place like Tonga could be the move you need to invigorate yourself and give you a new lease of life.
Swimming with whales off the coast of deserted islands with the sun shining every day has got to beat life commuting to work in cold and damp weather.
Sometimes life is about taking a chance, making a change, taking that leap, and seeing where you land.
We will leave you with the four core values of Tongan society, which, combined with making the family central to everyday life, go some way to explain why the people of Tonga will make you so welcome, why the islands are so special, and why Tonga could be exactly what you are looking for.
Mutual Respect
Sharing, cooperating, and fulfillment of mutual obligations
Humility and generosity
Loyalty and commitment
Good luck with your home move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make your home move easier, cheaper, and less stressful.
*At RemovalReviews we will connect you with a professional moving company. Please note that we may not be affiliated with
and you may be speaking with another licensed provider.
Best removals nearby
We use cookies to optimise your experience.Accept and close or Learn more
Share your thoughts by leaving a comment