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# Children friendly resort in Va'vau? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
giannivernetti 21:30 UTC 31 May 2008 | Next august I'll be with my family in Tonga for 3 weeks. I'll spend some time in Tonfatapu and then I would like to go to Va'vau pfr snorkelling, diving, whale watching, etc. We're a family with 4 children (12,10,8,7 years old). Someone can suggest us some nice resort right on the beach in the Va'vau Group? |
raro 00:28 UTC 01 Jun 2008 | The only resort on the main island with a beach is probably Tongan Beach Resort. I just went by it, didn't really stop in. All the other resorts on good beaches are on the little islets out in the lagoon. The Paradise Int'l Hotel is one of the few accommodations with a pool. It's a few blocks from town, and has AC, which I'd recommend during their hotter and more humid weather (Dec to April or so), but probably no need for AC in August. You can walk down to the water, but it's not a beach area. | 1
tuebingentraveller 02:23 UTC 01 Jun 2008 | Hi, we are also planning to be in Tonga next year (probably April or May) with our two children, 2 and 4 years old. We have very much the same question (child friendly resort), but are wondering if it makes sense for us to fly out to Va'vau at all? In essence, after visiting Samoa and the Cook Islands (both of which we've never been to), does it make sense to spend 2 weeks in Tonga? Or should we save the additional air fare and stay longer in Samoa and the Cooks instead? From what we've heard both sailing and whale watching are exceptional in Tonga, but both of those we'll probably have to give a miss due to our 2 year old. Any and all opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks! | 2
raro 00:55 UTC 02 Jun 2008 | #2--You'll miss the whale-watching season anyway in Tonga, it's later in the year. The way the flights are, you can hit Tonga from Samoa, but the Cooks are now on their own, except for Fr. Poly, You didn't say how long your total visit is, but you could easily spend two ot three weeks in the Cooks. Rarotonga is the main islandm, then Aitutaki is the secondary one most poeople visit, but you could also go to Atiu or some of the others in the Southern Group for more of an adventure. I don't think the attractions in Tonga are really that much different from those in the Cooks for a first-time SP traveler, at least not worth the extra airfare for your trip. for more on the Cooks check out www.ck | 3
tuebingentraveller 05:05 UTC 02 Jun 2008 | Raro, thanks for replying. We'll be traveling through the South Pacific for 3 months next year. I don't want to take this thread off topic, so I've started a new one. Please see here if you'd like to help out: [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1613763] So from what you're recommending, we should be skipping Tonga. Based on studying guide books, we've kind of come to that conclusion already. That would give us more time in the Cooks and Samoa. | 4
raro 22:52 UTC 06 Jun 2008 | #4 Hi--Yes, I saw your new post before I ran into this one again, so I may be duplicating things. With that much time you really should try to hit Melanesia as well, like Vanuatu, solomons or New Cal. | 5