9 days in Tonga - Itinerary

Hi everyone,

I'm travelling to Tonga with my boyfriend in November (we're both 31) and we're having a hard time planning, booking, or basically just deciding what to do.

We don't have that much time and realize that we'll probably be taking real tonga everywhere, but want to limit ourselves to three places max.

So, 3 days in Ha'apai, 4 days in Vava'u is what we were thinking...

Then how about Eu'a? Is it worth traveling down there? We read some good stuff but don't know if it's better than Ha'apai or Vava'u? Any advice? Or just 1-2 days on the main island before our flight back home? Nuku'alofa doesn't sound that exciting, but other parts of the island seem to be really nice. Is it worth spending more time here?

We're also keen on doing diving and are looking for the nicest dive sites. Ha'apai sounds really nice - has anyone done diving there? It also becomes more difficult with the 24h no-fly time before and after the dives.
Do dive operators go out on Sundays? Or is there literally only beach and church as options that day?

Thanks for your help! :)

Edited by: misschilli

you'd be crazy to fly on Real Tonga!!!

the planes are extremely dangerous. the New Zealand government has put out a Travel Warning advising people not to use it.

Also the Mormon Church in Tonga has advised all members and officials not to fly on Real Tonga as its too dangerous.

Having said that, there is an overnight ferry from Nuko'alofa to Vava'u but schedules are irregular.

Sundays - nothing is open ... no shops, no flights. everyone goes to church.

"Sundays - nothing is open ... no shops, no flights. everyone goes to church."

Not quite true on Vava'u or Tongatapu-some things are open for tourists but it is very quiet.

My advice is to take a day tour of Tongatapu (a flat hot dusty uninteresting place if ever there was one) and then head to Vava'u for your remaining time.

As scary as Real Tonga sounds the horror of Tongan ferries is something you should try to avoid.

I'm in Tonga right now. I've flown in the MA60 twice in the last week. Lots of Kiwis are flying in the MA60.

Real Tonga is chaotic but workable. Just plan for possible flight delays. Especially in the Nuku'alofa-Ha'aipa run. Whenever they pull the MA60 they run five flights from/to Nuku'alofa-Vava'u using the Beech 65 and the Islander. Then the Ha'apai and Eua flights get cancelled or moved around. The MA60 is making the NUK to VAV flight most days with two flights.

The Chinese MA60 trainers are here in force and word is they are having the local Real Tonga pilots do double the dual instruction time before they qualify them in the left seat as PIC. There's at least 15-20 Chinese experts here. Two Chinese techs and the pilot gave the MA60 a pretty thorough walkaround at the turnaround in Vava'u this morning. I saw at least 4 Chinese tech or pilots on the flights I was on.

Also... a planned 125-day airworthiness test is planned with a Samoan test pilot and two observers, one Kiwi and one Chinese. The purpose isn't to certify the MA60 but to assure that it's safe to carry passengers in Tonga.

More on the MA60.

I think some of the comments about hard landings in the MA60 are due to the nature of the beast.

I watched today as it landed in Vava'u. The pilot made close to a flawless flare but the main gear's oleo struts (shock absorbers) were so stiff the plane skipped once after initial contact with the runway.

So you can expect teeth-jarring landings in the MA60. It appears that's how she's built.

kiwigal66 wrote "Also the Mormon Church in Tonga has advised all members and officials not to fly on Real Tonga as its too dangerous."

Not true... the ban is just for the MA60. Real Tonga's other planes are not included and are OK for use for members traveling on church business.

The question we must all ask ourselves is

' How in the name of all that's holy can a Tongan pilot be expected to fit into a seat designed for a Chinese pilot?'

hardnosethehighway wrote:' How in the name of all that's holy can a Tongan pilot be expected to fit into a seat designed for a Chinese pilot?'

Ah-Ha! THATS why I see all the Chinese pilots carrying booster seats and telephone books!

The thread got a bit sidetracked, but I'd like to bring it back to the OP questions.
I have the same issue.
Unfortunately, I only have enough time for 1 place and can't decide between Ha'apai and Vava'u.
I'll have a night on the main island when coming in and flying out, hopefully, two half-days will be enough to see the main sites there.

The more I read the more confused I get. Both Ha'apai and Vava'u sound nice. I'd prefer a quieter place with a nice beach and possibilities to snorkel.

Sorry for the stupid question, but I really can't decide.

Any and all suggestions will be very much appreciated!

I just returned from Tonga. I visited Nuku'alofa, Ha'apai and Vava'u. If diving is your main thing then Ha'apai would be my choice. Lifuka has three resorts that cater to divers.

Fin and Flukes: Least expensive and good for hard-core divers that want a technically good diving experience but lacking any frills in accommodation or food.

Sunny Beach: Didn't visit or talk to any guests from there. Talked to the folks that run the sailboat out of there but didn't talk about the services with them.

Matafonua: The people I spoke with that stayed with them were pleased and they definitely had good food and nice accommodations. I'd probably stay with them if I did it again.

You can use Fins and Flukes even if you stay at one of the other resorts or a place in town. I was impressed with their knowledge and diving expertise.

If diving isn't the ONLY important thing on your TTD list then I'd recommend Vava'u. It's the most scenic island group and quieter than Tangatapu. And... you can still go diving there.

I think they're getting the Real Tonga Air thing sorted out.

H2ooh, thank you so much for your answer.

My problem is that that dates I will be in Tonga are a bit (or very, depending how you look at it) unfortunate - between Christmas and New Year's. Fins'n Flukes will be closed during that time. And I suppose many other places as well.

Now I'm realizing why my Air NZ flight was so suspiciously cheap, LOL.

But, as they say here, shouganai. I will have to book something somewhere.

Live and learn, I guess.

Ha'apai was my first choice, but if nothing is open during that time, I will go to Vava'u.

Actually the Christmas holidays is a great time to visit a South Pacific island. I haven't spent Christmas in Tonga but I have in the Cook Islands several times.

The place will probably be inundated with returning locals with lots of celebrations and activities going on. It's a good opportunity to observe and take part in the festivities. If you go to Vava'u stay at the Port Wine Guest House.

And... you are probably lucky to get tickets at that time of year. They are usually hard to come by because of the demand by Islanders coming home for Christmas.

Make your inter-island flight reservations early, like right now.

H2ooh, yes, you are right! I was thinking along the same lines, actually. But then started to encounter more and more places that are closed during that time and I got worried.

Port Wine Guest House looks fabulous. Thank you for recommending it. I sent them an email.
As soon as I sort out my accommodation, I'm going to book the flights, hopefully by the end of this week.