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The Tonga archipelago includes 170 islands divided into 4 separate groups. Starting with Niuas in the N, working S through Vava?u, Ha?apai and finally Tongatapu, at the southern end of the archipelago. Lying about 3,000km (1,875mi) to the E of Australia, Tongatapu is Tonga's main island, including the capital Nuku?alofa. Tongatapu is made up of a raised coral platform, where constant wave action has cut a shelf into the cliff bound south coast, but to the north there are some low lying reefs with many offshore islets. Most surf spots are all squeezed onto a remarkable reef bend on the W side of the island, where trade winds blow straight offshore. SW swells produce grinding lefts through the S hemisphere winter, (April-Oct), whilst less consistent N swells favour the shorter, shallow rights from Nov-March.
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Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
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22 - 29°C
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22 - 29°C
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19 - 26°C
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18 - 26°C
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19 - 26°C
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21 - 28°C
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Uncrowded spots |
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Perfect reefs |
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Great climate |
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Live coral reef dangers |
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Cooler winter waters |
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Lack of variety in orientation |
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Expensive location |
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