Tonga Islands Photo Gallery

The Tonga islands are one of the ISLANDS' editors favorite destinations. It was on the cover of the May 2012 issue. And it ranks at No. 15 on our new Best Islands to Live On 2012 list. See our Tonga islands coverage here.

Tonga islands magazine cover
The Tonga islands were featured on the May 2012 cover of ISLANDS magazine. This great photo of the perfect island vacation getaway is from Atata in the Tonga islands. You can read the issue in the ISLANDS iPad app.
Tonga islands boxing match
This surprising photo from the May 2012 issue of ISLANDS magazine features this scene from the Tonga islands. ISLANDS contributing editor Andy Isaacson was welcomed to a Tonga islands village where two women started to spar — for fun. They were excited to put on a show for a rarely seen tourist. You can read the issue in the ISLANDS iPad app.
Tonga Islands best beauty pageant contestant
The Tonga islands are also home to possibly the world's biggest beauty pageant. When an ISLANDS contributing editor visited Tonga's Miss Heilala competition, he was amazed at what he found. He even got to judge. Read the Tonga islands beauty pageant article. | Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands beach and culture
Why is size such a big deal in the Tonga islands? When Queen Salote of Tonga attended Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, the London press marveled at the Tongan monarch's size. Noel Coward described Queen Salote's smaller carriage companion as "her lunch." To Tongan royalty it was a compliment. Here, feasting is a sport. Whole roasted suckling pig is a staple of social gatherings, for example. And size, perhaps due to a warrior past, is revered on the Tonga islands. | Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands perfect South Pacific beach
Tonga islands perfect South Pacific beach | Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands sunset and sailboats
Tonga islands sunset and sailboats | Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands outrigger
Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands scenery
Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands unique views
Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands sailing
Tonga Visitors Bureau
Tonga islands cultural sites
Tonga Visitors Bureau