Tonga's 176 islands range from steep, active volcanoes to low coral forms, most of which are uninhabited. The islands were first visited by the Dutch in the early 17th century, and later by the British seafarer Captain Cook, who dubbed the archipelago the ‘friendly islands’ in 1773. The adoption of Christianity by the ruling family – which followed the arrival of Methodist missionaries in the 1820s – and an overall policy of accommodation with the British - then the principal imperial power in the area - meant that the islands were not formally colonized. The ruling family of Tonga, the last remaining Polynesian Kingdom, can be traced back more than 1000 years.

Sightseeing highlights include the Royal Palace on the waterfront in Nuku’alofa, the Mala’ekula (Royal Tombs) and the Anahulu Cave, an underground cavern of stalactites and stalagmites. The islanders enjoy a laidback pace of life which visitors find easy to adopt, whether relaxing on one of the magnificent white sand beaches, diving among the stunning coral reefs or watching the migratory whales return to their breeding grounds from June to November.

Geography
Tonga is an archipelago of 176 islands in the South Pacific, most of which are uninhabited, covering an area of 7700 sq km (3000 sq miles). The major island groups are ’Eua, Ha’apai, the Niuas, Tongatapu and Vava’u. Tonga’s high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava’u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over. Nuku’alofa, on Tongatapu Island, has a reef-protected harbor lined with palms. The island is flat with a large lagoon, but no running streams, and many surrounding smaller islands. ’Eua Island is hilly and forested with high cliffs and beautiful beaches. The Ha’apai Islands, a curving archipelago 160km (100 miles) north of Tongatapu, have excellent beaches. Tofua, the largest island in the group, is an active volcano with a hot steaming lake in its crater. The Vava’u Islands, 90km (50 miles) north of Ha’apai, are hilly, densely wooded and interspersed with a maze of narrow channels. They are known for their stalagmite-filled caves.