2 Days in Tonga

Hello,

I have a stop over in Tonga on my way back from New Zealand. I know 2 days isnt much but its all i have. I arrive on a Sat night and have Sun and Mon to do whatever i can then i leave on Tues. Im on a really tight budget since it will be at the end of my trip so i want to do things that cost little to no money but still have a chance to maybe do some snorkeling.

My questions:

Where should i stay on the island?

Where are good places for young solo travelers to hang out?

What should i see and do on my two days? snorkeling, kayaking, sightseeting?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Nikki

Toni's guest house is one option, Toni offers an entertaining and inexpensive day tour of Tongatapu, which would give some snorkelling time and a good overview of the island (you can join the tour even if you don't stay at the guesthouse). Accommodation is in dorms- I only did the tour, but the people staying there seemed happy with the place.

The best snorkelling I did was at Pangaimotu island; this can be visited as a cheap daytrip or you can stay there. I can't find their website I'm afraid. Otuhaka beach resort has ok snorkelling, the beach huts are pretty inexpensive.

Friends Cafe has a good tourist office, it is in down town Nukualofa and can fill you on things like the Pangaimotu trip.

Nerima lodge is also a good place to stay downtown.
I'd recommend the blowholes (awesome, time it close to high tide). the coral arch is pretty impressive.

Be aware that Tongatapu shuts down on Sundays. You can go to chuch. A small band plays during the service at the church that the King attends. Found one Chinese restuarant open for lunch, the bakeries open in the afternoon, everything else appeared to be closed. It's really, really dead.

Monday, be sure to visit the market downtown.

No need to join a daytrip to Pangaimotu, just hop on a ferry.

Pangaimotu ferries run on a Sunday. So does Toni's tour. Church services are free, the singing is amazing.

i'd recommend going straight to pangaimotu and stay there sat and sun night and do toni's round island tour on monday. it has good food, drinks, atmosphere, reasonable prices, nice swimming and snorkelling. you have to get far away from any population to get pristine coral.

The best option would be,

• e-mail to Toni's guesthouse to book your room and airport transfers (his transfer is T$15.00 one-way, while taxi is about T$35.00 - T$40.00)

*go on his tour on Sunday (almost everything is closed in town, Pangaimotu is too crowded on Sunday, and he usually has more than 3 people joining the tour on Sunday, which makes the whole day tour only T$40.00)

*ask Toni to drop you off at Faua jetty to catch a boat to Pangaimotu for a day trip. Return boat is T$20.00 and there is a bar/restaurant on the island)

*roam around town on Tuesday before you depart.

Enjoy your short stay in Tonga.

i completely agree with amaile