Bathing Clothing - Fiji and Tonga

Hi,

I've reserached a bit in the forum and all the info I found related to bathing clothing around the remote islands is that a woman should be covered completely to swim. Is that correct?

I'll be diving but also will enjoy some days at the beaches... So, ok, no bikinis from what is written, what do you reccomend? Even if I am diving/snorkelling, should I take conservative bathing suits?

Thanks!

If you are at a resort, it is acceptable to wear a standard swimsuit or bikini. If swimming at a public beach, boardshorts and a tshirt or rashtop will be your best choice (I wore my bikini underneath). The locals all go in fully dressed, even the guys- you will rarely see a man with his shirt off. When staying at resorts right next to public beaches, I stuck with the conservative get up, most other tourists did the same and it was quite jarring to see somebody in something skimpy.

For diving from a boat, I wore a swimsuit or bikini- most of the time it was covered up either with clothes, a sarong or wetsuit. For snorkelling I would stick with the shorts and t-shirt get up if near a village, just swimsuit if in the middle of nowhere.

In Fiji you are free to wear pretty much any swimwear you wish while on private beaches (your resort/hotels private beach) but I would suggest erring on the side of conservatism, nudity is a no-no. Otherwise coverup with boardshorts or a sarong. From what I understand, Tonga is much more conservative, and less use to tourists.