In Tonga, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. Offshore, the search is run by RCCNZ (Maritime NZ): +64 4 577 8030. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Tonga Meteorological Services issues a marine weather bulletin with warnings and forecasts for the Niuas, Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua coastal waters, and publishes 10-day wind, swell and sea-state forecasts.
met.gov.to (2026-10-14): “FORECAST TO MIDNIGHT TOMORROW FOR TONGA COASTAL WATERS FOR THE NIUAS, VAVA'U, HA'APAI, TONGATAPU AND 'EUA COASTAL WATERS”
met.gov.to (2026-10-14): “Marine Weather Products: 10 Days Wind Forecast 10 Days Sea Swell Forecast 10 Days State of the Sea Forecast”
Tonga is in the southwest Pacific cyclone area, where the season runs November to April (Fiji Met; NZ SafeTravel). The UK FCDO says Tonga's season normally runs from November to May, and cyclones can happen all year.
Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi) · New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel) · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
met.gov.fj (2026-10-14): “While the TC season in the region is between November and April, occasionally cyclones have formed in October and May and rarely in September and June.”
safetravel.govt.nz (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The Pacific cyclone season usually runs from November to April.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May, but cyclones can happen throughout the year.”
Official warnings
It is illegal to swim or kayak with whales unless you are on a licensed boat with a certified guide; the penalty can be a fine of up to 5,000 pa'anga, 18 months in prison, or both.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “It is illegal to swim or kayak with whales unless you are on a licensed boat with a certified guide. If convicted, you could get a fine of up to 5,000 pa’angas or an 18-month prison sentence – or both.”
Tides can produce powerful currents in ocean lagoons, and loose rocks and debris from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption may be in the sea and on beaches.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Tonga’s tides can produce powerful currents in ocean lagoons.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The sea and beaches may have loose rocks and other debris resulting from the underwater eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano.”
Ferries do not follow normal safety regulations and are often overloaded; consider carrying your own lifejacket.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Ferries do not follow normal safety regulations and are often overloaded. Consider carrying your own lifejacket.”
Divers: recompression
There is currently no hyperbaric chamber in Tonga.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There is currently no hyperbaric chamber on Tonga”
Arriving by boat
The person in charge (or agent) of a ship bound for Tonga must send Customs all arrival information, including crew and passengers, at least 24 hours before arrival. A private craft can stay under temporary admission without duty for 4 months, extendable by Customs for a further 8 months (12 months in total).
Tonga Ministry of Revenue and Customs · Tonga Ministry of Revenue and Customs · Tonga Ministry of Revenue and Customs ▾
revenue.gov.to (2026-10-14): “The person in charge (or agent) of an aircraft or ship bound for Tonga must submit in advance all information relating to its arrival and any cargo, passengers and crew aboard the aircraft or ship.”
revenue.gov.to (2026-10-14): “Ships: at least 24 hours prior to arrival in Tonga”
revenue.gov.to (2026-10-14): “must be re-exported within the prescribed time limit of 4 months unless extension is authorized by Customs for a further 8 months (total 12 months).”
In Tonga, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. Offshore, the search is run by RCCNZ (Maritime NZ): +64 4 577 8030. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Tonga?+
911 is the number the authorities in Tonga give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Tonga.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Tonga?+
Tonga is in the southwest Pacific cyclone area, where the season runs November to April (Fiji Met; NZ SafeTravel). The UK FCDO says Tonga's season normally runs from November to May, and cyclones can happen all year.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Tonga?+
Tonga Meteorological Services issues a marine weather bulletin with warnings and forecasts for the Niuas, Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua coastal waters, and publishes 10-day wind, swell and sea-state forecasts.
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