Do I need to book accommodation in July since it is whale watching season

Hello my name is Ellie I am off to Tonga with my partner in July. We will book our first couple of nights on Tongatapu, and then we will book on Eua but after that we will still have two weeks (the last 2 in July). My question is should we book all of our accommodation in advance or can we just spend some time and get a feel for the place and then choose to stay on Ha'apai longer if we like it or move on to Vava'u not having booked any accommodation. We are looking for budget places. I know it is high season and whale watching and one or two places we contact as possible places to stay said we should book as soon as possible. Maybe they are being helpful or just wanting to make sure they have people staying with them not sure. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Book now for Vava'u it's a small place and there are only a few budget choices worth considering.

Yes, book now especially this year. Because the coronation preparations and festivitieis begin around the 23rd July for 2 weeks. Most of the accommodation facilities in Nuku'alofa are already booked out for that period.

You should book ASAP not just because its peak season but also because you need to plan your trip because you will need to book flights well in advance or if you want to go by boat they only go once a week so you will need to factor that into your plans and that will determind what date you will be where. You especially want to book early in Vava'u.

I reccomend Tonis guesthouse in nuku'alofa - its cheap and has a special kind of tongan charm. Take Tonis tour of the island for a great perpective of tonga when you first arrive. its a bargain. Toni's is out of town but he will drive you wherevere you want to go very cheaply. They will also take you to and from the airport- even at 3 am!

I stayed at the hideaway on 'Eua and it was OK. They charge too much for driving you places and bike hire and stuff IMO. the food prices where OK. We had the more expensive room, which was still cheap at $T55 for 2 people in 2007 - i'd reccomend that option for the solid walls and bathroom it gets you! Other people stayed at other options in 'Eua such as Taina's place, which i have not stayed at but others i met did and they enjoyed it. Its T$20 for 1 person, T$30 for a double. Toni can hook you up a room at Tainas. Don't even bother trying to ride a horse in 'Eua! i have never heard a good report! there horses are not the riding type! LOL.

Vava'u guest house is a 5 min walk out of town and has a T$30/nite double room (not per person) in a 4 room little house with shared bathroom (cold shower) and a kitchen (not the greatest in the world) Single rooms are T$20 or you can get a double fale for $45/nite which has ensuite and hot shower plus a sink and kettle. There is also Adventure backpackers is T$25 per person for a dorm bed, Its right in town and has decent facilities and hot showers.

i have not been to ha'pai but i hear the whale swimming tour (last year there was only 1 company i believe) was really good there. I reccomend expecting to go whale swimming several times at they are not always successful or the weather might be bad. we went with 3 companies in vava'u and the best one was "http://www.swimwithgiants.com/"

i made lots of posts about my trip in tonga last year, try running a search for tongan posts by be if you like.