Anyone with an update on the ferry situation in Tonga?

I'm planning a trip to Tonga, from late May through to roughly mid-June. Looking at the Olovaha ferry page (http://www.scptonga.com/TimeTable.htm), I get:

<blockquote>

MV OLOVAHA SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 2009

Cancel voyage for this week until we announce it on the ratio
</blockquote>

Naturally, this raises a few questions! I understand the ferry had some sort of trouble in November (see: http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20081105-nsvatf.htm), and more recently (see http://www.pidp.org/pireport/2009/February/02-06-10.htm), perhaps this is on-going from this?

I gather things take time in Tonga and my concern is that there won't be a reasonable ferry service, or that if things are put right, they'll have such a backlog that it won't be very practical to get around by ferry on some sort of reasonably reliable timetable.

Also, how is this affecting the internal air flights?

The other ferry options on the LP travel information page for Tonga, Uata Shipping Line+ and +Tofa Shipping, don't seem to have websites.

I have been trying to look into internal flights, but the Chathams Pacific website server doesn't seem to be working, at least not over the past few days. I gather from older posts this isn't new, but it is making my setting up trip plans rather difficult. (The LP information page on travel is a bit confusing when it comes to air travel. It seems to me that 'Airlines Tonga Air Fiji' either no longer exists, or the link needs updating. There is a eventually link to Chathams Pacific following the link provided, but as I say, this server isn't responding. The link from the LP Tonga travel information page to 'Peau Vava'u' doesn't work, this time no server at all!)

Peau Vava'u and Airlines Tonga are both out of business.

"he was hopeful that the MV Olovaha would be back in normal service next week."
This so typical of Tonga-people always say "next week" when they have NFI.

The Ferry does look to be permanently disabled mainly because of shoddy maintenance and until the new Japanese made ship comes on line I'd forget that option.

In the past Teta Tours has been a reliable provider of information and tickets try contacting them to see what they can do.
http://www.tetatourstonga.to/tetatourstonga.to/

Edited by: someone who's done a lot of boating in Tonga but won't go near those so-called ferries.

There is a second ferry going between Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u. The name is Pulupaki and currently it is reasonably reliable, although - again - it operates on Tonga time and the schedule can be changed at short notice. As far as I know they don´t have a website, but you might wanna try to call them: +676 23855 (that´s the last phone number I know of).

Chathams Pacific are doing quite a good job here, they´re very reliable. The website isn´t working at the moment, but you can give them a call. +676 23192 is the travel centre number for Air New Zealand, but the airlines are in the same building in Nuku'alofa and you will be connected through.

If you´re only gonna be here for 2 weeks and want to make most of your time, then you should book domestic flights to avoid frustration and being stuck in a place.

This so typical of Tonga-people always say "next week" when they have NFI.

You have to denigrate all Tongans?

get the chip off.

+"This so typical of Tonga-people always say "next week" when they have NFI.

You have to denigrate all Tongans?"+

Simple truth Leo Old Boy, I've heard it over & over & over.

So what's the latest you have on the Ferry situation-anything to add?

"Next week" is the common say in Samoa as well when you mean that you have no idea when (or if ever). Next week simply sounds nicer than 'forget about it'.

Chatham's site is working today. Try their timetable site, then click for booking site.
[http://matangitonga.to/home/ads/chathampacific/timetable_27oct08.html]

There seems to be a delay in receiving a new ferry from Japan to replace the current Olovaha.

I agree with #3. If you only have 2 weeks, take domestic flights, instead of ferry.

Simple truth Leo Old Boy, I've heard it over & over & over.

no. But I have said you have a jaded view of Tonga, and seem to grab every opportunity to denigrate Tongans. If you have that view, fine, but going on and on doesn't help Tonga.

Tonga is not America or Britain, or even New Zealand. It's Tonga. A laid back friendly place where people go to get away from it all.

So what's the latest you have on the Ferry situation-anything to add?

As you know, I have returned to Fiji, so no idea.

Amaile is on the ground, so to speak, so ask her.

Sending again what I can remember of what I wrote before. For some reason it hasn't appeared. Might be some strange browser issue.

Thanks to those that provided useful information.

I was considering taking the ferry one-way up to Vava'u so that I might spend a few days in the Ha'apai's. I will fly back because, as you say I haven't a lot of time (roughly 18 days in all). If I had my way, I'd have the yacht I'm meeting in Vava'u pick me up from Nuvu'Alofa, but I can't really dictate that. (Also, I don't want to spend too much time in Nuku'alofa waiting for them, either; waiting in Vava'u would be better!) I'm leaving open the chance that this might still happen.

Another possibility would be to spend a couple of days on Eua, then fly on to Vava'u from either Eua or Nuku'alofa. I get the impression the ferries to/from Eua are less of an issue.

Amaile, thanks, noticed that their website was up again today too! I'm on to it...

Could I suggest people just not reply to 'hardnosethehighway'? I've seen quite a few Tonga threads descend into tit-for-tat nonsense over his comments, which I'd prefer to avoid.

Ferry between Tongatapu and 'Eua does not operate everyday. Sorry I cannot remember which days, though. However, it departs Tongatapu at around noon, and stay in 'Eua overnight, and departs 'Eua at around 5 in the morning.

There is no flight from 'Eua to Vava'u. 'Eua flights are all to and from Tongatapu.

Thanks, amaile.

Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner, I have been distracted with other things.

Good to know that the ferry to 'Eua doesn't operate every day. You can buy air tickets from 'Eua to Vava'u, they go via Tongatapu and connect onto later flights up to Vava'u. They are not a direct flight, so it makes for a longish day of travel.

I have to sort out a few details first, like when the ferries run, where to stay, etc., but that was the basic idea.