Tonga Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Tonga? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Tonga
For an introduction to shooting in Tonga see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Tonga Film Locations
Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific comprising of 176 islands. Film locations interest include coral islands, volcanic islands, beautiful bays and lagoons, white sand beaches, surf reefs, blowholes, and tropical rainforests.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of coconuts, vanilla beans, bananas, and squash.
Life (2009) filmed in part in Tonga.
Film locations can be divided into the following divisions:
Tongatapu
Nukuʻalofa is the capital and largest city. Locations of interest include the Royal Palace, Tuku’Aho Memorial Museum, National Museum, Talamahu Market, Free Church Of Tonga, Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, Nukuʻalofa LDS church, Teufaiva Sport Stadium, and Nukuʻalofa deep water port.
Other film locations in Tongatpapu include Pangaimotu Island, Mounu Island, Fafa Island, Ha’atafu Beach, Haʻamonga ʻa Maui stone trilithon, Anahulu Cave, hufangalupe natural bridge, and Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes. Kolovai is home to a large population of flying foxes. Tongatapu has some of the best surf reefs in Tonga.
The Minerva Reefs are a group of submerged atolls that were the site of the failed utupion Republic of Minerva.
ʻEua
‘Eua is a remote hilly island located near Tongatapu.
Haʻapai
Heading north, the division of Haʻapai is a collection of coral and volcanic islands.
Uoleva island is a beautiful tropical island with white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai is an otherworldly volcanic island with black sand beaches and a volcano.
Vavaʻu
Further north the division of Vavaʻu is a collection of islands.
Vavaʻu is a hotspot for swimming with humpback whales.
Ongo Niua
Located in the far north of the country, the Niua Islands are volcanic in origin. Niuafo’ou Island is a volcanic rim island with a freshwater crater lake.
Tonga Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Tongo has a tropical climate. The humid, wet season runs from December to April with tropical cyclones occurring during this period. The cooler, dry season runs from May to November. This is the best time to film for weather. Tonga offers good year-round underwater filming conditions with Humpback whales migrating from July to November. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Heilala Festival Week takes place in July.
• Humpback whale migration takes place from July to November.
• Regatta Vava’u & Festival takes place in October.
Tonga is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Tonga.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. On the whole Tonga is a relatively inexpensive place to shoot although imported goods tend to be expensive. Since no filming infrastructure exists on the islands all crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Tongan fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for feature films or commercials shooting in Tonga.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Film and photography crews need to be brought in.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Tonga.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Casting facilities are undeveloped in Tonga so street casting is required.
Tongan and English are the official languages.
Tongans are a Polynesian people. There are very few non-Tongan looks available locally so those need to be cast abroad. Tongans are the most Mormon country in the world in terms of percentage of the population.
Tonga Film Equipment
Equipment. Camera, grip and lighting equipment needs to be brought in.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction are very minimal.
Studios and Backlots don’t exist.
Post Production. None available locally.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on western passports can get visas on arrival for stays of less than a month. Work permits are not required to film in Tonga.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Local roads are basic. The best way to get around the islands is by boat or plane. Several international airlines service flights to Tonga. Fuaʻamotu International Airport is located on
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Tonga include:
Fafa Island Resort
International Dateline Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Swim with humpback whales. Go see a rugby match including the traditional Sipi Tau dance. Try some local cuisine such as faikakai topai, lu pulu, feke, vai siane, kale moa, ota ‘ika, kapisi pulu, and keki. Popular drinks include kava, and ‘otai.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Tonga, please see below:
Hire Tonga Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Tonga, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Tonga, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
