Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Tongan ferries to Vava'u &amp; Day Trips from Nuku'alofa ? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
tessha_m 22:15 UTC 14 Apr 2007 | Hi! So i'm going to Tonga in August, and determind to catch the ferry to Vava'u. (i hate flying and like boats - i can buy sea sickness tablets, but not magic potion that makes me able to fly...) My ferry question is, how do i go about booking a ticket for the ferry? Do i need to book at all? Any other tips? I will be spending a few days either side of my ferry to and from Vava'u in Nuku'alofa. I have been there before, but only for a few days and there was a cyclone at the time (not ideal!) but i figure i'll have 4 full days free while staying in Nuku'alofa this August. Any suggestions on what i should do on those 4 days? Last time i was there i went to the market and went to a little island not far off shore from Nuku'alofa and wandered around town and spent quite a bit of time stressed out about the cyclone. Thankyou! This is my Itinerary August 24th friday fly to tonga 10.15 pm from Auckland 25th saturday 2.15 am arrive tonga- Nuku'alofa FREE DAY 26th FREE DAY 27th FREE DAY 28th tues seems to be ferry day out of Nuku'alofa 29th ferry arrives vava'u : Stay at Vava'u (7 nights) 30th 31st Sept 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th wednesday ferries go back 6th thursday ferry gets back 7th friday FREE DAY in the wee hours saturday fly 3.15 tonga to auckland |
tessha_m 13:34 UTC 15 Apr 2007 | I have been doing some searching and am thinking i might go to Eua for a few days before i go to Vava'u, and then take a day trip to Pangaimotu the day i leave Tonga. Any thoughts? Is it hard to get around on Eua? Also, does anyone have a link to a ferry schedual? (for vava'u) I had one, but it doesn't seem to be working anymore... THANKYOU! | 1
copperspoon 01:15 UTC 17 Apr 2007 | Be prepared for some very crowded conditions on that Ferry-I was specifically told never to bother with it. | 2
amaile 06:35 UTC 17 Apr 2007 | Hi tessha_m, Somehow, 'Olovaha's schedule site has been down. Bring your rain gear, if you are to get on 'Olovaha. Roof leaks so much and you would be drenched if it rains. Or wait until April 2009 when Tonga gets a new ferry. If it doesn't rain, have warm clothes to keep yourself warm on an open deck. Ventilation is non existant down below, thus everyone stays on an open deck, and it can get quite chilly. You do not need to book for ferry, but it is better to go to their office to purchase your tickets a day or two in advance. 'Eua boat usually leaves 'Eua at 4:30 or 5:00 am to bring agricultural produce to Nuku'alofa, and leaves Nuku'alofa about noon everyday. So, if you need to see anything in 'Eua, plan at least 2 nights there. Hidaway Resort is highly recommended, and they do guided tours. In Tongatapu, I recommend Toni's tour, and the Dinner Show at the National Centre (Tue & Thu). | 3
tessha_m 23:33 UTC 17 Apr 2007 | Thanks Amaile. I'll be packing sea sickness tablets, rain gear, food and purahps an inflatable life raft :) Please PM me if you hear anything baout the ferry schedual...? Don't suppose the dinner show caters to vegetarians? I am thinking of going to Eua on the 1st day I am in Tonga (saturday) and staying until monday or Tuesday, then going to Vava'u. Then a week in Vava'u, followed by 2 days in Nuku'alofa - with 1 of those days spent at Pangaimotu, and maybe take in the dinner show... | 4
copperspoon 01:44 UTC 18 Apr 2007 | "Don't suppose the dinner show caters to vegetarians? " You'll have few dishes to choose from in Tonga but if you're vegetarian be sure to stay somewhere you can prepare your own food, with a few notable exceptions tasty nutritious food is thin on the ground, or plates. | 5
amaile 12:27 UTC 18 Apr 2007 | While in Tongatapu, you can procure plenty of vegies at Talamahu market. But very difficult to get them in Vava'u. At the National Centre dinner show, I believe that they have salad, root-crop or fruit based desserts, and baked root crops. (sea food, sea weed salad as well) Ferry to 'Eua departs at 12:30 noon, everyday, except Sundays. | 6