Tonga Island, island in New Zealand
Tonga Island is a small rocky island in Abel Tasman National Park on the northern coast of New Zealand's South Island. It rises steeply from Tasman Bay and sits along a stretch of coast known for golden sand beaches.
The island's name comes from early Polynesian settlers who linked this place to their homeland of Tonga. The wider region was later mapped by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642, and the national park now bears his name.
Tonga Island sits within a marine reserve that covers the surrounding waters, and boats are required to keep their distance from the shoreline. Visitors on kayaks or water taxis often pause here to watch the fur seals resting on the rocks.
The island is only reachable by boat, either by water taxi or kayak from the nearby beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. Checking tide conditions before setting out is a good idea, as the sea can change quickly along this coast.
The rocky outcrops around the island shelter one of the largest fur seal colonies in Tasman Bay, with animals present year-round. During the breeding season, visitors on boats nearby can hear the seals calling to each other across the water.
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