Fiji or Tonga?

Hi fellow travellers,

Has anyone been to both Tonga and Fiji and able to recommend which is better for a nice island resort with good beaches and snorkelling?

We plan on going to Tonga anyway to try and swim with some whales in Vava'u but after that are torn betwen spending AUD 250 per night staying at Fafa island resort or flying to somewhere in Fiji and getting more for our money.

What are we looking for?

- good beaches
- clear, warm water
- snorkelling at our doorstep
- not a party island

Any opinions would be most valued.

Cheers,

Ian

A rare situation exists in Tonga.

You have beautiful palm-shaded, coral-reefed beaches on remote islands and they're not all owned by high end resorts!

If you are willing to rough it.... and I mean very, very basic with poor food and pretty wretched facilities, then I can personally recommend Tiana resort on Ouleva island, in the Hapa'ai islands of Tonga.

The beach and snorkelling is perfect, but the accommodation is far from perfect.

I considered it a fair trade off.

Since you're going to be in Tonga anyway then Hapa'ai works-it's a tiny place but gorgeous beaches.

Be Advised though that there's no need to sleep with-as mentioned- pigs snuffling around your hut Click Here for a more appealing option

I wouldn't fly from Tonga to Fiji but do what the others say, try one of the tiny islands in the Ha'apai, an easy flight from Vava'u. Whoops, islandboi, its Uoleva...... and agree with your description of Taina's. She is lovely but the accommodation pretty simple, things rustle in the roof of the little rooms, food is bearable, view of volcanoes is incredible, wandering around interesting as there is even some old stuff there, snorkelling all around the island - including clam garden around the bech from Taina's, drift snorkel (Taina's husband took us for a small fee) in the pass between Uoleva and Uiha pretty darned fantastic, there's a small guesthouse on Uiha too, spent 4 days (on a boat) there, loved the place and the people but didn't snorkel much as weather overcast.

OP how about this, try Uoleva for a night or two (take snacks) and if it is too basic, try the place mentioned in #2 - I've saw it late last year but not stayed there, looked neat and very quiet, but food has to be better!! Beach outside is on the weather side, but short walk through to the protected sandy beach which lovely though I didn't quite get that 'on a tiny island' feel. Simple snorkelling off the beach and the dive place at nearby upmarket Sandy Beach Resort (good food, nice beachside rooms) would offer access to off-shore snorkelling sites.

Good advice- thanks all.

So all in all, it seems better to stay in Tonga than fly to Fiji. Any suggestions as to any other nicer type Tongan accommodation?

Cheers,

Ian

Angela: Mia culpa :) (islandboi makes mental note to be diligent regarding spellings of Tongan islands)

spoon: And just what's wrong with a pig sniffing around your hut? Tsk Tsk, you west coasters....

Caqelai (Fidji) corresponds to your criteria and, besides, is quite cheap.

"And just what's wrong with a pig sniffing around your hut?"
Being awoken in predawn darkness by a stinking snorting shuffling porker isn't anyone's idea of a holiday.

What was the problem with the food? They had fish and rice? If I go there should I bring a kalau pig receipe?

Indeed, he advantage of that pig being around would be being assured of a ready supply of fresh pork.

Uoleva: Indeed they have fresh pig and a ready supply: some of the boys of Uoleva admitted that, if they happen to see a 'lost' piglet while driving around at night on 'the mainland' (Lifuka), they feel sorry and 'adopt' it and bring it home!

Fish and rice is fine for a while but I find the taste of reef fish too sweet and perfumed. Taina would love ANY tips, hints, help in the kitchen department; she took me 'gleaning' on the reef - even when she pointed closely, I couldn't see the octopi!! Kalua pig might be a little adventurous but you could try turning up with all the extra ingredients.........however, take a package of sosisi (sausages) to go with the pia (beer) around the bonfire on the beach and you'll have it made.

Another current question on this branch asks for favourite beaches: Uoleva is up there with the best. Ah! Two weeks until I rejoin the boat and we start heading for the South Pacific, be out for the whole season (6 months). I could do a leisurely, waterborn survey!